Fill the Void, Curzon Soho

We usually associate film-making with the glamorous world of celebrity, hugely competitive marketplaces and dizzyingly high budget allocations, but rarely do we associate it with ultra-traditional religious communities.  Welcome to the world of Haredi Jewish film. 

Although Haredi Jews are one of the most orthodox sections of the Jewish faith and are very cautious when it comes to modern technology, they have a strong culture of film making. These films are mostly intended to reinforce Haredi Jewish beliefs within the Haredi community, and aren't usually readily available on the open market. They're made to very strict religious prescriptions; men and women can't be shown in the same frame, no plot lines can contravene Haredi Jewish beliefs, and a film maker must seek Rabbinical approval every step of the way. 

Rama Buhrstein , is a rare example of a Haredi Jewish director to have emerged on the world stage. Her début filmFill the Void, which is showing as part of the BFI's London film festival at the Soho Curzon, won seven Ophir awards, the Israeli equivalent of the Oscars, and was chosen to compete for the Golden Lion at the 2012 Venice Film Festival. 

One reason why Fill the Void has gained so many international accolades is because it's much more outward looking than other films that have come from the same community. The film, which centres around a young girl, Shira, and her struggle to reconcile herself with her community's culture of arranged marriages, gives a vivid and moving account of what it's like to fall in love in an ultra-orthodox religious community. 

For those who are typically put off by the idea of obscure world cinema, this film has much more to it than that. Go and see it for it's subtle and emotionally mature love story, it's lush visual style, and the insight it gives into what its like to live in one of the world's most private spiritual communities.

Address & Map:  99 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5DY

Nearest Tube: Leicester Square