M (Directed by M (Directed by Yolande Zauberman)

In Bnei Brak, Israel, the world’s largest Jewish orthodox community,  the most insidious secret of rabbis molesting  young yeshiva school-attending boys. It is a cycle that one of victim wants to bring out into the open and end it. Menachem talks openly to other men about it and discovers he’s not alone.  How some families react when they find out is appalling. He also has candid conversations with men about sexual habits within the community. He seeks reconciliation with his abuser, but that rabbi literally hides behind curtains.  This film proves sexual predators are rampant in this community, and that it takes a singing hero like Menachem to reveal the ugly truth. The film went on too long and scenes were not flowing into one another.

Missing the Chance for Kids to Hug the Trees and More

 photo as it appears in poster adn program
by Lence Andonova

A presentation for young kids was presented in Maison de la Culture Côte-des Neiges as part of Festival Accès Asie. Titled, Musique Arbes,  it gave the floor-seated kids and parents a chance to hear gibberish vocals and the playing of cello and tar as the lead actor wafted around various installations, interacting with them in an ethereal manner. 

Sadly, not once were the kids invited up to interact with the percussive wooden sticks, the hanging shells and the Javanese wooden hanging flute-like instrument. Even when she played with the fall leaves on the floor, the kids were not invited up to participate. 


One little girl though form the get-go did in a way far more magical than the lead actor. She stole the show. Sadly, this 1 p.m. May 12th,  Sunday performance on Mother’s Day showcased a non-dynamic performance that could have been so interactive with the audience. It as a wasted opportunity for the little ones, and they soon got very restless. I loved the wooden carvings and the colourful pieces at different stations, but a performance for children must include them. Listed for ages 2 to 4, I felt that a two-year-old would have started crying either dying to go up and play with the pieces or get out of hall. Emmanuelle Lizère was the lead actor and played cello. Elham Manouchehri on tar with her own vocals in Farsi was compelling. Philippe Leroux was the visual artist, and Lenche Andonova was in change of direction and installation.