By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — The producers of Set Me Free, a soon-to-be-released movie about a young secular Jewish woman’s growing attraction to Orthodox Judaism and to the young rabbi who is her mentor, would like viewers to help them write the script for a sequel.
The relationship is complicated by the determined opposition of Alexandra’s mother, Robin (Denise Marie Whalen), who is an on-air relationship coach, to her daughter becoming an observant Jew. She tells Alexandra (Lex Paige Miller) that “people turn to religion because they don’t have the tools to deal with life as an adult … Do you really feel there is a Santa Claus in the sky looking down on you?”
On the other hand, Rabbi Eli Fried’s mother, Dina (Jaclyn Rosenbaum), thinks that Alexandra, who is a medical student, might be a good match for her son because she challenges him intellectually.
Set Me Free follows the ups and downs of the relationship of Alexandra and Eli (Florimond Patrick) as well as its impact on Robin and on Alexandra’s lesbian sister, Tara (Therese Azzava).
Along the way, the movie explores the concepts of “freedom to” and “freedom from;” Passover customs; unplugging on Shabbat; why Orthodox Jewish men refrain from touching women who are not part of their families; Torah attitudes towards homosexuality; why Orthodox women cover their hair; and sexual practices within an Orthodox Jewish marriage.
James Carmen, the director and cinematographer, wants people to rent the film on line, and then video themselves answering any of the following four questions:
1. Talk about the scene that most resonated with you in Set Me Free.
2. What was the main message you received from Set Me Free? Do you agree or disagree with that message?
3. What’s one thing you didn’t know but learned from watching Set Me Free?
4. What would you like to see in the sequel of Set Me Free?
Carmen said fees paid to rent the movie will help to fund production of the sequel.
Winners of the contest, which ends April 18, will be invited to attend the filming in July of the sequel and if they so desire, to have a walk-on part, Carmen said.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via sdheritage@cox.net