In his debut film, director Haim Tabakman makes a bold statement with his choice of subject. Eyes Wide Open sees a Jewish orthodox butcher named Aaron (Zohar Strauss) gradually seduced by the young nineteen year old Yeshiva student Ezri (Ran Danker). Aaron is married with four children and is well respected in his community, but his life is distinctly lacking in passion. When he hires the wandering Ezri to work in his shop his whole world changes. In a striking line, Aaron says to his rabbi: ‘I was dead. Now I am alive.’
Obvious parallels with Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain will be drawn, for both films tackle homosexuality in highly conservative and unforgiving settings. However, Eyes Wide Open possesses a rare and original quality of its own. The story takes place in an extremely orthodox neighbourhood in Jerusalem, where the dark and heavy colours of religious garb dominate. The tone is sombre and tense throughout. The joy that comes out of Aaron and Ezri’s relationship is marred by the suffering of Aaron’s dutiful and adoring wife Rivka. In a saintly display of love, Rivka stands by her husband throughout the whole humiliating affair. Then again, in this oppressive community, what other choice does she have? The most gripping part of the film comes when the local ‘Decency Police’ become involved in the lives of the characters. We get an insight into the strict and suffocating world of the ultra-orthodox as we see these morality enforcers rely on violent methods to curb the actions they view as so sinful.
Originally intended as a short film for television, Eyes Wide Open is low key in its production. The streets of Jerusalem are empty and grey and there is a constant stream of scenes without dialogue. Even the parts of the films which depict Aaron and Ezri in lustful embrace come across as relatively restrained. Tabakman handles their forbidden relationship with sensitivity and understanding. By the end of the film it is hard to say whether the two men have, in fact, done anything wrong.
On the whole the story is evocative and thought provoking with an undeniably fresh approach. It is unlikely that you have seen anything quite like it before.
