Reeling 2010: Eyes Wide Open (Einayim Petukhoth)

A methodical, structured life, with each day very much like the one before—this is the way Aaron, an Orthodox Jewish butcher living in Jerusalem, lives. He studies the Torah, works in the shop, and goes home to his family. When handsome outcast Ezri wanders into the butcher shop and asks for a job, Aaron takes him on as his apprentice. Soon Aaron begins to hear things—warnings—about Ezri. He is called a curse to righteous men. Though Aaron first sees Ezri’s advances as a challenge from God, he is unable to resist him for long. As Ezri’s love awakens Aaron’s spirit and makes him feel alive for the first time, it becomes more difficult for Aaron to part from Ezri to fulfill his familial and religious duties. In a community that has both eyes on the sins of their neighbors, it’s not long before Aaron’s associations with Ezri begin to make him morally suspect as well. As the powerful forces of religion, family, community and love collide in Aaron’s life, his conflicting feelings drive him towards extreme conclusions. Brimming with a sexual energy pressurized just below the surface of a repressed society, Eyes Wide Open is the beautiful story of a condemned love. —Zachary Togami for Reeling Eyes Wide Open (Einayim Petukhoth) Haim Tabakman (Israel, 2009, 90 min.) In Hebrew, with English subtitles Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival, the second oldest film festival of its kind in the US, is presenting 54 programs over 10 days from November 4-13, 2010. Advance sales are available until the day before the show. After that, tickets must be purchased at the theater box office on the day of the screening. Regular Screenings: $10 ($8 members), Matinee Screenings (before 5:00 pm): $8 ($6 members).

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