The religious and humble life of a shy 36-year-old man and his charismatic elderly father who rarely seeks company is the subject of 'My Father's Son,' a film by young Israeli director Hillel Rate *. The loving, symbiotic relationship between them is put to the test when the son makes tentative steps towards finding a marriage partner. The film will be screened at the Mediterranean Film Festival, and the director talked to us about ‘chance meeting’ that initiated the story.   

Yes. The heroes in the films are a father and a son that I saw walking on the street, holding hands. There was something that was really moving since it's not a very common thing. I think what most drew me to the topic was the fact that these 2 people do not embarrassed of their unique self. They let them self being whoever they want to be, no matter how strange is it in the eye of the society.

The father & son, Gershon & Moshe, converted to Judaism and then they moved to Israel after the death of Emma, Moshe's Mother and Gershon's wife. Before they came to Israel, Moshe & Emma had a group of believers that they used to have Torah and spirituals classes.

People feel deep sympathy, especially for Moshe. Because of his innocence and grace, people are very connected to him. I wanted to show that even people who live on the edge of society have a story to tell, and sometimes those stories are filled with so much good and inspiration. I also want to say that sometimes within all our efforts and failures, a happy ending is hiding.

Yes. Most of the people do not connect in such a special bond. The minute I saw that picture I knew that it's so unique that I had to document it.

Since I am coming from the orthodox community in Israel, I think that I have a specific point of view to tell specific stories that are from this world. The life in Israel is good, but challenging. Since I am a modern orthodox man, I have boundaries that I have to follow in order to create films in certain ways.