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Trembling Before G-d

Play trailer Poster for Trembling Before G-d 2001 1h 24m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 61 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
"Trembling Before G-d" is an unprecedented feature documentary that shatters assumptions about faith, sexuality, and religious fundamentalism. Built around intimately-told personal stories of Hasidic and Orthodox Jews who are gay or lesbian, the film portrays a group of people who face a profound dilemma -- how to reconcile their passionate love of Judaism and the Divine with the drastic Biblical prohibitions that forbid homosexuality.
Trembling Before G-d

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Trembling Before G-d looks at the effects of religious morality on believers whose sexuality falls outside the accepted norm with intelligence and compassion.

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Critics Reviews

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Brandon Judell IndieWire 06/28/2014
A profoundly touching look at the plight of gay Orthodox Jews who are trying to integrate their sexuality with their religious beliefs. While the style is not innovative, the subject matter is groundbreaking. Go to Full Review Jamie Russell BBC.com 05/20/2003
4/5
This insightful documentary simmers with a fury that's passionate enough not to need spelling out. Go to Full Review Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution 12/12/2002
B
A unique documentary about the crisis confronting gay and lesbian Jews who wish to remain part of the Orthodox and Hasidic branches of Judaism. Go to Full Review Bruce Shenitz Out Magazine 05/25/2022
A beautifully executed documentary. Go to Full Review B. Ruby Rich The Nation 02/25/2020
Happily, the film has a hero: Rabbi Steven Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, whose joyousness stands in marked contrast to the pervasive suffering. Go to Full Review Louis Proyect rec.arts.movies.reviews 05/04/2007
Powerful documentary about the struggle of gay and lesbian orthodox Jews to reconcile their beliefs and their desires Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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11/30/2012 The idea for this documentary is great. Hearing about the reaction to gay and lesbianism in cultures is fascinating. The problem is the execution. It simply doesn't grip us. This is a lost opportunity. See more 10/20/2012 "Blessed are you," "Our G-D, King of the Universe, Knower of Secrets." See more 06/07/2012 Very well thought out film... all in the community should see before they force decisions on the "non-conformists". See more 02/08/2012 Taking the documentary's subject matter into consideration, one would think this this film would be fascinating. I found it to be slow and not that informative. Many gay and lesbian Orthodox and Hasidic Jews are introduced, but their stories and interviews differ very little. See more 06/24/2011 A well done, intimate documentary on a intimate topic. See more 05/17/2011 Gay Orthodox Jews struggling to reconcile faith with who they are. Excellent. See more Read all reviews
Trembling Before G-d

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Cast & Crew

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Sandi Simcha DuBowski

Director

Sandi Simcha DuBowski

Producer

Marc Smolowitz

Producer

Philippa Kowarsky

Co-Producer

James Velaise

Co-Producer

Susan Korda

Film Editing

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Trembling Before G-d

David Mark in Jerusalem. Silhouette of gay Orthodox men dancing. Mark at Yeshiva in Israel Michelle on her wedding day. Silhouette of Orthodox family. Silhouette of Orthodox woman and children. Rabbi Steve Greenberg. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis "Trembling Before G-d" is an unprecedented feature documentary that shatters assumptions about faith, sexuality, and religious fundamentalism. Built around intimately-told personal stories of Hasidic and Orthodox Jews who are gay or lesbian, the film portrays a group of people who face a profound dilemma -- how to reconcile their passionate love of Judaism and the Divine with the drastic Biblical prohibitions that forbid homosexuality.
Director
Sandi Simcha DuBowski
Producer
Sandi Simcha DuBowski, Marc Smolowitz
Distributor
New Yorker Films
Production Co
Cinephil
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 24, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 13, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$788.9K
Runtime
1h 24m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.66:1)