Special Film Screening

- March 8
- 7:30 p.m.

The Billy DeFrank Center is proud to co-sponsor a special screening of the documentary film “Keep Not Silent” about the challenges of being Orthodox and lesbian in Israel. The film will be screened at the historic Hoover Theater in the Rose Garden as part of the San Jose Jewish Film Festival.

“Keep Not Silent” presents a secret struggle for acceptance and love led by three lesbian women from Jerusalem's Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. It won the 2004 Israeli Oscar for Best Documentary.

In the film, each woman must choose between herself and her beloved, and each is torn between her need for a fulfilling life of love and her great fear of the grief she might cause her children, her husband and her extended family. The personal fight for self-realization, honesty and acceptance is especially difficult given the religious laws against homosexuality and the probable consequence of excommunication. The film presents a truly human conflict, raising difficult issues of responsibility and freedom of choice.

The event will be presented by the filmmaker, renowned Israeli director/producer Ilil Alexander. Ms. Alexander will lead a discussion with the audience after the movie.