Little Jerusalem

Name: Little Jerusalem
Genre: Drama
Released: January 27, 2006
Rating: 63

2006

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Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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La Petite Jerusalem

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Movie Details & Credits

Kino International | Release Date: January 27, 2006

Summary: Set in the suburban Paris neighbourhood of Sarcelles, known as 'Little Jerusalem' due to its large Jewish population, the film focuses on 18-year-old student Laura (Valette) as she tries to reconcile all the conflicting influences and feelings to which study and experience have introduced her. Religion, philosophy, romantic love and sensualSet in the suburban Paris neighbourhood of Sarcelles, known as 'Little Jerusalem' due to its large Jewish population, the film focuses on 18-year-old student Laura (Valette) as she tries to reconcile all the conflicting influences and feelings to which study and experience have introduced her. Religion, philosophy, romantic love and sensual desire all vie for the heart and mind of this smart, serious teenage girl in this skilfully balanced debut feature from writer-director Karin Albou. (Kino International)… Expand

Director: Karin Albou

Genre(s): Drama

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Critic Reviews

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

Beautifully played by Valette and Zylberstein, and directed with amazing grace by Albou, this touching film offers a respectful, fascinating look at a community that's ignored as often as it's misunderstood. Read full review

Sean Axmaker

The sensuality is never salacious, merely curious, and the message is empowering ... at least within the confines of the insular community. Read full review

Kevin Crust

Philosophy and religion become entangled with love and sex in Karin Albou's intelligent, sensual drama. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Stylish and well-observed while ultimately not adding up to very much. Read full review

Lisa Nesselson

In what is arguably her best performance since "Van Gogh," Zylberstein brings Mathilde to life with grace and fervor. Read full review

Nathan Lee

For the first full hour, as we're guided inside privacies of culture and consciousness, Ms. Albou sustains her rich and gently intoxicating mode of storytelling, a feat all the more admirable in light of the overly schematic script. Read full review

Rick Groen

Understandably, a script so obsessed with the dark doings of plot has little time left over for the study of character, and, thus, we never really get to know these people. Read full review

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ChadS.

Nov 10, 2006

"La Petit Jerusalem" is about the most unlikely Parisians, an Orthodox Jewish family, whose youngest daughter(Laura, played by Fanny Valette) rejects her religion for philosophy(Kant, mostly) as a means to better assimilate within her French surroundings. She walks a lot and looks good "La Petit Jerusalem" is about the most unlikely Parisians, an Orthodox Jewish family, whose youngest daughter(Laura, played by Fanny Valette) rejects her religion for philosophy(Kant, mostly) as a means to better assimilate within her French surroundings. She walks a lot and looks good riding in a subway car. As a sly gesture, when Laura is by herself, the film itself looks more French than when she's surrounded by family. When Laura gives up her academic pursuits, she stops walking, and "La Petit Jerusalem" stops looking new wavish, and more like a product of the middle east. This almost-successful film is somewhat hampered by a secondary narrative, in which the older sister(Mathilde, played by Elsa Zylberstein) tries to get her freak on to save her marriage(a philandering husband with a taste for blondes). The advice she receives from a religious adviser is imparted in very dull(some will argue, mature) fashion that brings this occasionally invigorating film to a screeching halt. Then we have to watch Mathilde apply her newly-found sexual liberation in a love scene that is fairly suggestive, but highly unerotic, because, well, it's married sex and they're kind of old.… Expand

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