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Trembling Before G-d

Released Oct 24, 2001 1h 24m Documentary List
89% Tomatometer 63 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

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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 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. Jun 28, 2014 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 4/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Jamie Russell BBC.com This insightful documentary simmers with a fury that's passionate enough not to need spelling out. Rated: 4/5 May 20, 2003 Full Review Bruce Shenitz Out Magazine A beautifully executed documentary. May 25, 2022 Full Review B. Ruby Rich The Nation 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. Feb 25, 2020 Full Review Louis Proyect rec.arts.movies.reviews Powerful documentary about the struggle of gay and lesbian orthodox Jews to reconcile their beliefs and their desires May 4, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member 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. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member "Blessed are you," "Our G-D, King of the Universe, Knower of Secrets." Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Very well thought out film... all in the community should see before they force decisions on the "non-conformists". Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member A well done, intimate documentary on a intimate topic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Gay Orthodox Jews struggling to reconcile faith with who they are. Excellent. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Trembling Before G-d

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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. 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)