Halakeh

This is the story of a journey made by Yael, Yoni, and their three year old son Yiftach. Yoni, once a barely observant Jew, becomes devoted to the Hassidic Breslov tradition, whereas Yael’s views do not change. Yiftach's third birthday falls on the holiday of Lag Ba'omer, and Yoni wishes to celebrate it with the Halakeh ceremony, in which a boy's hair is cut for the first time, leaving only his sidelocks. Yael fears Yoni's religious fanaticism and strives to keep Yiftach under her wing. The long journey to mount Meron brings their conflict into sharp relief. Their encounters with various characters along the way further highlight the chasm which has opened between them.

Screenplay: Mordechai Vardi
Cast: Ohad Knoller, Hani Furstenberg, Hinave Hilel Pney El, Michael Aloni
Cinematography: Adi Sasson
Editing: Ada Fink
Production: Gil Mezuman
Festivals: Jerusalem
Source: Gil Mezuman Productions
Support: The New Israeli Foundation for Cinema and TV, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority