Disobedience

Love and faith are placed in dramatic opposition in this new film from Gloria writer-director Sebastián Lelio — whose equally stirring A Fantastic Woman also screens at this year's Festival. Loosely based on British author Naomi Alderman's novel and co-scripted with playwright Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Lelio's first film set outside of his native Chilé stars Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams as two passionate women caught on either side of the line that divides the devout from the secular.

Happily single and living a rich life as a photographer in New York, Ronit (Weisz) is very much the black sheep of her London-based Orthodox Jewish family. When her revered rabbi father dies, Ronit returns home to pay her respects and liquidate her inheritance. But surprises await, chief among them the news that Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) — the heir apparent to Ronit's father and very much the son he never had — has married Ronit's childhood friend Esti (McAdams).

While Dovid prepares to take over the hallowed place at the synagogue, Ronit and Esti become reacquainted. An old flame is reignited — one that could torch everything this family most cherishes.

Paying equal respect to personal liberty and religious conviction, Disobedience is much more than a topical culture-war drama. It is a thoughtful, tender story about looking in, reaching out, discovering what you truly believe, and fighting for it.

DIANA SANCHEZ