Unorthodox

A young woman, trapped by the culture of orthodox religion escapes to start a fresh life, build new friendships, learn. Pursued by those that won't let go, she exercises the power to be herself come what may.

An inspiring piece of film making and a standout performance by Shira Haas. Hopefully goes some way to enlightening and empowering those in similar positions, demonstrating that there is a way to independence and self fulfilment, while educating a wider audience to the challenges faced by some, in the presence of traditions dating back to the pharaohs - overwhelmingly traditions used by men to control women.

This is a very well made movie, breaking through the fiberglass batting insulation of the Hasidic community in Brooklyn, to help us understand the feeling we get when we walk through .

For the month I was there , not one single person of that particular costumed community said as much as a "good day" to me or even made eye contact. I felt like I was in (and in FACT I was in ) a foreign country.

I walked for miles and miles almost every day trying to understand what was giving me this feeling of being a complete alien... I've never been in a community like it in my life before.

It slowly dawned on me that this was the way the culture operates, outsiders are outsiders and there's no way they'll be allowed in.

As I got to the peripheries , close to Prospect Park, the oppressive weight started to lift as the Latino and Italian neighbourhoods smiled back at me and straightened me up.

How can two cultures be so different when they are so close together?

The story told in this series, about a young girl trying to escape the strictures of an arranged marriage, sounds as though it could apply to any of the young Jewish girls I saw pushing strollers with two or three kids hanging on to their apron strings.

It's hard not to be taken aback at the depth of control and the level of obedience imposed on both the men and the women of this sect but it obviously works for most of them, as the community seems to thrive.(Just look at the Amish Community if you want a reference point)

The acting is just superb and the director manages to evoke sympathy for the naive husband who, in a way, is trapped in the same unhappiness. The girl who plays the lead (Esty) is a wonderful actress who is able to go from beautiful young bride to-be, to a dowdy potential baby factory and back to a free young woman again and she does it convincingly.

The rest of the cast draws us in to the culture in a way that could never happen in real life but in the end you're no closer to understanding why it continues to be so different.

I really enjoyed the story and the portrayals, it has a bittersweet ending and I felt better for having watched it.

The subject may not attract everybody, but the story is actually universal. The struggle of the main character can be applied to every religious or closed society, actually it applies to every community. The series are well done and fast paced, it kept me focused for almost four hours. Thought provoking and emotional at the same time. The main actress is just superb. Highly recommended.

This movie is a must watch, it shows how far we have come, how far we can go. I binge watched but there were times that I just had to pause and get air for sometime coz it's intense and it's surreal despite being so rooted in reality. Every single cast member were complex and had an arch, it was amazing really. I'm glad they y didn't dumb it down for us (outsiders of the community). Me pausing the show, to find out meanings of words and rituals didn't spoil my experience of the show but enriched it. There were moments I recoiled, moments I sympathized, moments I cried, but in the end I was touched by beautiful cinematic experience.

This little gem packs such a punch, it really is a little masterclass. I found myself rooting for certain outcomes with the introduction of every character. The cast is so well put together it is hard not to be engrossed in this world, a world that the producers have presented with such an authentic feel. I was hooked and found it very hard to take a break; I watched the 4 episodes in 2 sittings. Several emotional scenes are played out so well and effortlessly you forget you are watching netflix.

A stunning must see.