La Petite Jérusalem (2005)

In the multicultural outskirts of Paris, two Tunisian-Jewish sisters, Laura and Mathilde, grapple with the entanglements of tradition, desire, and faith. Laura, a 19-year-old philosophy student, is a beacon of open-mindedness in her Orthodox Jewish family. Caught between her upbringing and her burgeoning passion for her Algerian Muslim colleague, Laura finds herself treading a delicate path. Her world is imbued with nocturnal hues as she cleans a school during the night shift, her mind teeming with philosophical musings and unspoken desires. Simultaneously, Mathilde, older and a mother of four, is wrestling with the revelation of her husband's infidelity. Compounded by her own struggles with repressed sexual desire and misunderstood religious principles, her world is thrown into chaos. Amidst the turmoil, Mathilde seeks solace and guidance in understanding love's true meaning and a married woman's obligations. Both sisters, caught in the throes of despair, embark on a quest for wisdom. They seek enlightenment from an attendant at the mikvah and the matriarchal wisdom of their widowed mother, who herself left Tunisia to build a life in France. "La Petite Jérusalem" is a poignant exploration of two women’s journey as they navigate their way through passion, betrayal, religious dogma, and the search for wisdom. Will Laura and Mathilde find the happiness they seek or will they remain ensnared in their circumstances? This compelling narrative paints a vibrant picture of cultural intersection, personal discovery, and the enduring quest for understanding and contentment.

La Petite Jérusalem is a drama movie featuring Fanny Valette and directed by Karin Albou.

La Petite Jérusalem is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on VUDU Free and it's also available on Chai Flicks.

It is also possible to rent La Petite Jérusalem on Vudu.