Queerguru reviews PINK LADY the story of an Ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jewish family that have to confront a queer crisis

Our passion for queer Israeli movies started over 2O years thanks to the legendary director Eytan Fox and his extraordinary film ‘Walk On Water.’  Since then, QG has followed his whole string of outstanding movies that have given us such a great perspective on being gay and Jewish: think The Bubble, Yossi and Jaeger, Cupcakes, Sublet  etc etc.

Besides Fox movies there have been Israeli filmmakers that have addressed the relationship between Orthodox Judaism and homosexuality, such as Undressing Israel: Gay Men in the Promised Land, Minyan, Trembling Before God and Eyes Wide Shut.  The new PINK LADY from writer/director Nir Bergman and set in an Ultra Conservative Jewish community,  is an excellent addition to this genre.

It’s the story of a young family with three young children living a seemingly blissful life in Jerusalem. Until one day Bati (Nur Fibak) receives some anonymous compromising photographs of her husband Lazer (Uri Blufarb). He is being intimate with another man! When she challenges Lazar he first tries to pass them off as bad photoshoped images, but then he eventually admits they are geniune and the other man is his study partner,. He also confesses that he is being blackmailed and is struggling to find the demanded ransom to the original pocs.

What makes this story so different is that it is all told from Bati’s point of view and the fact she has the strength and determination to support Lazar puts an unexpected spin on the scenario. She  believes he can be ‘cured’ and is determined to save her marriage even it means overcomes her modesty to tempt Lazar back into bed, and in doing so makes her realise she has powers. The pair of them give such seeringly authentic performances that makes for compelling viewing.

Bergman’s powerful story is sensitively told as both Bati and Lazar, encouraged by both their mothers, try to align Lazars sexuality with the heavy weight that comes with being part of such a closed religious society.    Take a box of tissues with you when you view …just in case 

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Review by ROGER WALKER-DACK.

Creator, Owner, Editor-in-Chief.  Miami Beach, FL / Provincetown, MA

Member of G.A.L.E.C.A. (Gay & Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association) and NLGJA The Association of LGBT Journalists. and The Online Film Critics Society. Ex Contributing Editor The Gay Uk & Contributor Edge Media Former CEO and Menswear Designer of  Roger Dack Ltd in the UK