Pourim

'Pourim' is a film about the celebration of this very special holiday (Purim). The story of Esther has been shown more than once, but never the celebration of Purim itself: a great carnival, and an opportunity for Jews around the world to dress up, sing and dance. It is even commanded to get drunk to the point of confusing "cursed be Haman”, and “blessed be Mordecai”.

This project was born from an observation: we too often contrast religion, which we deem as something austere, with a liberal culture which we perceive as joyful and transgressive. This contrast is omnipresent in cinema, where the representation of the religious environment serves only to criticize it, and, implicitly, to promote liberal culture. While these representations may portray the dogmatic side of certain communities well, they often miss the fantasy of religion.

The script of the film was built around extensive research into the celebration of Purim, including its extravagant and folkloric traditions: the designation of a temporary rabbi, the Purim Rov, to make fun of religious authorities; the parody of sacred texts in order to praise drunkenness; or even the construction of an effigy of Haman, burned or hanged. Most of these traditions, if they have not completely disappeared, have faded over time, or at least in liberal communities. The film aims to crystallize them.