Harem (2018): Season 1, Episode 4 - Episode #1.4 - full transcript
Shit!
Atara! Atara!
Alex!
Shit!
"Die"
This place?!
Yeah.
Looks like an ordinary house.
-What did you expect?
I dunno. Right in the middle
of the neighborhood?
Son of a bitch.
Hey, you. Chill.
Be nice. Smile.
Watch yourself.
- I know what I'm doing.
Don't go downstairs.
-Okay.
Orpah? Come with me.
Don't let the kids downstairs.
-Got it.
Maya, are you busy?
I'm going to work.
Come with me.
What for?
Where's the boy's letter?
I have it.
You know which one his mother is?
No. Her name is Tehila.
Should I sneak it to her?
-No.
I'll give it to her.
Just act professional.
Okay, okay... I got it!
Hello.
Welcome.
Hello, hello.
Let me introduce you.
Elinor.
She's my daughter.
Nice to meet you.
-Rachella, her mother.
Yiska, Orpah, Hodaya.
Come, Hodaya.
And this is Osher.
And Maya.
Where's Avishag?
-Here.
Oh, there's Avishag.
Such names.
-Yes.
Is that just a coincidence?
The pregnant women
get a new name.
That you give them.
-Yes.
Are they all married to you?
The ceremony isn't important to us.
The women with no children
we call "single"
but you'll get to meet them all.
So you all have children?
-I don't, yet.
So you aren't considered his wife.
No, I'm-
-She's my pupil.
We foster wisdom,
not only babies.
Aren't you Tikva's daughter?
-Yes.
Can I interview you?
Or... who do I ask?
Of course, go ahead.
I have to get to work.
At this hour?
-Yes.
I do offices at night.
You do cleaning?
-Yes.
Well, Orly...
It's Orly, right?
-Yes.
Orly will be with us
for a few days,
you can speak to whoever you like.
Just one thing, don't disturb
the children.
Their routine is sacred to us.
How many kids are there?
-Plenty, thank God.
How many?
-C'mon, Orly,
don't you know it's bad luck
to count?
Around 40.
Each one is a flower
in our garden.
Which one is Tehila?
Where's Tehila?
-At work.
But you can talk to her later
if you want.
That's it. Anything you need,
just speak up.
No. We'll set up.
-Okay?
Fine.
Welcome.
I'm sorry I...
It's okay.
Can you put this under your shirt?
I don't bite, you know.
Thanks.
You don't have kids, do you?
-No, not yet.
Maybe that's why you envy me...
Is that why you're so uptight?
-Excuse me?
Just kidding.
You're wound as tight as a spring.
-Yifat...
Yes.
Shall we?
-Sure.
First of all, thank you for
welcoming us into your...
How do you call it....commune?
Family. Why do you need a label?
Okay. Your family.
So how many women do you have?
Depends on how you count..
More than 20.
23 if you count the single women.
And they ..what? Support you?
Everyone contributes.
We share everything.
It might sound strange to you,
but here it isn't a competition
like it is in your world.
You're used to life being a battle.
Here, life is an oasis.
Okay, okay...
Why are you here without permission?
It's urgent.
Why didn't you ask permission?
You didn't take my call
and it's urgent.
For you.
-Yes.
Come in.
Why did you tell the reporter
I'm not your wife?
You call that urgent?
I thought something happened.
It's urgent to me.
And you decide for me what's urgent?
I did everything for you.
Everything.
I brought my sister here,
I got my dad in trouble,
I agreed to marry Ariel.
And then you...
without asking me, you...
What?
-You took...
I what? -You took me
without even asking.
I "took"?
You've been begging for two years,
"When? When? Take me and
I'll have your baby,"
and after begging for two years
you come crying to me?
For taking you?
Have you no shame?
But you said Ariel was
destined for me. You said !
And if I find out it was a mistake?
You want to live with that mistake
all your life? And him too.
Then why did you tell me
about the Liberator?
Did you really dream that I'm
the one? Or did you just say that?
How can I know
before I see if it took?
Wait for your period,
then we'll know.
If you think everything's predestined,
you haven't learned a thing.
All my teachings have gone to waste.
Then tell me!
Am I your wife or not?
Let go of me.
Look.
Is this how you want to force me?
Look at you. -Ow
You're a ball of anger.
Is this how you want to be my wife?
What do you want me to do?
I try to help you heal yourself
and this is how you repay me?
You ingrate. Poison.
Without healing
don't even think of having my baby.
Make no mistake.
I think it's fine.
People always gossip about us,
now they'll finally hear
what we have to say.
Yeah, but it's a bit...
invasive.
You know what TV's like,
they're always looking for...
a scandal...
Let them look.
What'll they find?
Is it him?
-Yeah.
I told you so.
Just a sec.
Hello?
Yes.
Lovely.
Hey.
Where to?
Come here a sec.
Let me introduce you.
This is Orly,
she's making a film about us.
This is Hagar.
Haven't we met?
Yes... at the lecture.
So you ended up here?
-As a guest.
She's Maya's sister.
So can I interview you, too?
I...
What for?
Are you making a film about
our family, or theirs?
What's up?
Hodaya said she'd make sure
you don't neglect your schoolwork.
I have...
an errand to run.
-An errand?
Yeah.
-Today's kids have errands...
Are you sure?
-She's sure.
Go on.
We have things to do, too.
Nice meeting you.
We're here if you change your mind.
That's not fair.
What?
Why are you trying to make her talk?
She's in an uncomfortable position.
What do you mean?
Didn't Maya's parents tell you?
Right, why would they?
She's in a foster home.
Maya complained that her father
abused her
so Welfare took the little one away.
We're just helping out.
If someone comes to us for help
we don't ask questions.
Father.
-What?
Can you come here a sec?
Excuse me.
What?
What if she asks about Atara?
How would she know about her?
She already asked how many kids
each mother has.
She's just a camerawoman.
Relax.
Act natural. It's all right.
Hey.
-Hey, Mikey.
How's it going?
Okay.
What's up?
I'm thinking of getting a tattoo.
Your dad finally agreed?
Who's asking him?
Good for you.
What tattoo? A dragonfly?
-No.
Zohar.
-Who's Zohar?
It's not a who,
it's the Book of Zohar,
from the Kabbalah.
Why Kabbalah?
I'm studying it a little.
With your sister's guru?
He's not a guru, Mikey,
he's a healer.
Right.
And your dad's cool with that?
Think what you want,
but I'm not asking my dad.
I left home.
-Where to?
My sister's.
-What, at that Shabtai's house?
Yeah..
-So you've been there like two weeks
and you want a tattoo?
Yes.
-And he told you to do it?
No, it's my own idea.
That he put in your head.
-No.
Listen, I think you're getting
carried away, Hagar.
Why, because I'm finally
doing something I want to do?
What you want or what he wants?
He didn't tell me to do it!
So you came to me, to do his tattoo?
It's not his, it's mine, Mikey!
It's mine!
I have an idea.
Let's go to Kalya
for the weekend?
Nadav and Tika are going.
I have exams.
-Study by the pool.
What?
Tika doesn't like me.
-Yeah, whatever.
She thinks I'm a baby.
Let her think.
You're sleeping with me, not her.
Hurry up!
Just a minute!
If Ariel wants to take revenge
through this TV segment,
he's a big boy.
I can't educate him any more.
Did he threaten you?
He told his mother
he's going to talk to the reporter.
She came to me in hysterics.
What?
-That's what she said.
And you didn't say anything?
-What could I say?
He's a kid, let him talk,
maybe he'll learn from
his foolishness,
I can't chase him forever.
Father, are you crazy?
Welfare will get on our case
and then what?
What?
- You'll just let them?
Ariel's problem is his masculinity.
He's still a child.
So maybe the boy needs to learn
from his own mistakes.
Oh! And we'll pay the price...?
I don't know.
Let me talk to him.
Whatever you say.
Come here!
What were you doing in there?
Can't I use the bathroom?
- Not for half an hour.
Fine.
She's turning into a woman.
What's the story?
Until now she was like
a little wet mouse, and suddenly...
I don't know.
-Does she hang out with boys?
Parties?
-Of course not.
I'm telling you.
I can smell it.
She's a good girl, Father.
But she's changed.
Keep a close eye on her,
make sure she's being modest.
Oh my god, you scared me.
Since when do I scare you?
Done with your errands?
-Yes.
Mikey?
I can't hide anything from you!
But I can see it was good.
-Yes.
Good.
Hungry?
-Yes, actually.
You went to show him
that your rash has gone.
He was the one that called.
And you went .
Yes.
But really... I feel much more confident.
It's not just the rash,
you showed him no weakness.
But he was really nice, too.
Much nicer than...
than he used to be.
Of course.
He's always so cynical.
He can tell you've grown.
He knew you as a little girl,
and suddenly he sees how you've changed,
he's even a little awed.
You think so?
It's not what I think,
I'm just playing back
what you're telling me.
Can't you feel you've matured?
But...
what do you mean, awed?
He's scared.
But why?
-Why?
Look how he wants to take you
away from here.
Listen, Shabtai, I...
Can I ask you a favor?
Please don't tell me
he's not for me.
You'll sound like my dad. I
can't take that.
You really are sweet.
What?
-That's just what I was thinking.
You read my mind.
I was just thinking about
your father,
how alike they are.
Who?
-Mikey and your father.
Two peas in a pod.
He felt you're spreading your wings...
and he couldn't wait to stop you.
Did you get a tattoo?
He didn't want to do it.
-See what I'm saying.
He wants you to remain a little girl.
God forbid you should
make your own decisions.
God forbid
you should study Kabbalah.
God forbid
you should spread your wings.
He saw you can fly,
and he tried to clip your wings.
Isn't that so?
I dunno.
Maybe.
He's happy now.
He snapped his fingers...
and you jumped right back.
He was glad to see you small again.
But he doesn't matter.
You matter.
Why are you looking for someone
who'll clip your wings?
He'll be gone...
but you'll still be there.
You can't keep fulfilling your
namesake
wherever you go.
It's a burden.
You live in rejection.
Rejection is your home.
You only feel at home
when you don't have one.
It's not a good name.
Change your name.
To what?
When the time comes.
-What were you thinking?
I don't think,
I know.
Well?
From a rejected handmaid
to a queen.
Your name will be Esther.
Esther?
Isn't that a little...
old fashioned? It's...
like an old lady's name.
Hagar is chronologically older
than Esther.
But you'll see it shine.
When you see it shine...
we'll know the time has come.
You have many more levels to ascend.
That's enough for today.
You need to get to bed,
you have school tomorrow.
Come on,
I'll walk you.
Come on.
A good deed that comes without
hardship isn't really a good deed,
it doesn't build character.
I'll give you an example.
Take a vine.
The higher you build the fence,
the higher it will climb.
But what happens
if you don't give it a fence?
What?
-You tell me.
Take a vine,
lay it on the ground,
without a fence,
what'll happen?
I don't know.
It'll crawl a little and then die.
Then I should've grown most
in my parents' home.
And you did grow.
Didn't you?
You came here.
Don't neglect your studies,
you hear?
It's important.
Good night.
Good night.
Yes.
Good for you. At this hour?
Hodaya asked me to help.
What're you doing?
-Where were you?
What's with you?
Hello, Mom.
How are you?
-Hi, Dad.
How are you? -Everything okay?
-Hello, hello.
Penina, how are you?
-Nice to meet you.
Tehila?
-Yes?
I have something for you.
What is it?
We saw your ex-husband yesterday.
"DON'T FORGET ME, MOM"
Are you out of your mind?
She seduced him!
Is that the kind of wife you want?
Oh, so she's good enough for him?
-Good enough?!
He feels sorry for her,
he knows that without a man
she'll be a whore.
Watch your mouth.
-Okay, okay,
we all know about your pride.
If you had any dignity
you'd put her in her place.
Don't play macho now.
There's no point talking to you,
you wouldn't understand anyway.
So now there are things
you know that I don't?
Good for you, smarty.
Anything else?
You're a spoiled brat!
Who's gonna pay for your revenge? Huh?
Look her in the eye.
You're making her pay for your revenge.
Her and 40 other children.
You open your filthy mouth
and the next day
Welfare will come and
tear out their little souls.
And you'll be the big hero, huh?
Hero!
Shira, honey,
should we clap for
your uncle, the hero?
Come on, we have to make lunch.
I'm glad he didn't loan you any money.
You aren't worth twenty shekels.
Shabtai?
Shabtai.
Shabtai.
What?
-Can you come here a sec?
Now?
Excuse me.
What's up?
What?
She's showing him the picture.
Where did this come from?
Shabtai,
The truth is, you are
the most precious thing in my world,
but it's wrong to do this
to the boy.
I could have visitation rights
without his father around.
I don't care about his father.
I don't even remember he exists.
But the child...
Where did this drawing come from?
Put it in your bag.
Orly gave it to me.
She's trying to come between us,
to manipulate you,
to stab you in the back.
Don't let her.
I would even...
You could even come with me.
He probably misses you, too.
She'll want to film you now.
What should I tell her?
Just speak from the heart.
Later we'll see,
we'll discuss visitation rights...
after your interview.
When all this blows over.
You're smart.
You understand me?
All right.
You're just filming me driving?
A little.
Yifat, camera on Shabtai.
Can I ask you something?
You're asking all the time.
-Yes.
Who is Atara?
Turn it off.
-Why?
It's private,
I don't want to talk about it,
turn it off.
-Stop filming.
I'm giving you a chance to respond.
Is this how you want to appear?
First you earn my trust,
then you stab me in the back?
I'm just saying... think about it.
We still have Maya's interview.
Take your time.
I'll have to think whether
you'll have Maya's interview.
No problem,
but think if that's how
you want to be portrayed on TV,
That I asked you and you turned us away.
It's your call.
You act so sweet...
then you show your claws.
Who are you texting?
Leave me alone.
Who took you on his motorcycle?
Nobody. It's a lie.
You're the liar.
Someone dropped you off
at school. Who was he?
The kids saw you get off
and try to sneak away.
Give me your phone.
No.
I said give it to me.
Never.
Tamar!
Do you know how much that cost?
I don't care.
You'll never get another phone,
you hear?
Wait till I tell Grandpa.
Am I supposed to pretend?
-No,
do whatever you'd do anyway.
What would I do?
I've put everything away.
Would you rather sit?
-No.
I can stand.
Fine. Ready?
How long have you lived here?
Two years.
Did you move from home
straight to here?
What does that matter?
Just some background.
I moved straight here.
Wasn't there some complaint
against your father?
Is the camera on?
Just asking.
Turn it off.
I don't want this on TV.
Okay. But your biography
is essential to the story.
I get it.
I see what you're trying to do,
to prove we're a cult, right?
That we're victims
and I don't know what's good for me.
You know how many times
we've heard that?
Maya, it's my job to ask.
Turn on the camera
and I'll answer.
Hey. -Hey.
Can I talk to you about something?
Sure, come in.
Come on in.
Look, I got a tattoo.
-Really?
What is it?
Your grandpa told me
that names are destiny,
that this is my good name,
Esther.
Did he tell you to do that?
No.
I like the fact that
nobody will get it.
It's for me.
On the way there I said to myself:
Esther, Esther,
you're Esther,
and that...
gave me strength, you know?
Funny, huh?
Yeah.
Nevermind.
I always wanted a tattoo.
Didn't you have a boyfriend
who does tattoos?
Yeah, but he didn't do it.
What, Tamar?
-Can I borrow your phone?
I won't look at your stuff,
I just...
I need to send a message.
Whoa!
Is it a guy?
Like, obviously.
I threw mine out the window.
My mom wanted to look.
-Out the window?!
Seriously?
-Yeah.
Can he text me back?
-Sure.
Here.
-Thanks.
Now for a first peek
at Shabtai Zaddik's cult.
For two decades
in the middle of Tel Aviv
Shabtai Zaddik has lived
with his 21 wives
and countless children.
The authorities do nothing,
and the cult members
only ask to be left alone
to live their lives as they see fit.
Now, for the first time,
Zaddik has agreed to let cameras
enter his closed-off world.
Orly Nul-Asulin reports.
Here, behind these walls,
are no ordinary families.
This is the kingdom of the man
who calls himself Shabtai Zaddik,
considered by his dozens of wives
and children to be a holy man
and perhaps the future father
of the Messiah.
These women are devoted to
Shabtai Zaddik and obey his every word.
They not only love him,
but believe in his powers.
So it's like Chabad?
Do they think one of them
will bear you a son
that will bring Salvation to the world?
Every child brings
his own salvation.
So what's with the prophecy
about the Liberator?
Don't you know that only
fools have the gift of prophecy?
But they believe it.
They truly believe that one
of them will bear you a son...
"the Liberator"?
Is that from the Bible?
Faith is in the heart.
How should I know
what each of them dream at night?
So it's not something
you taught them.
They found it in some prayer,
"the Sufferer's Liberator,"
and it stuck.
The Levis have three daughters.
The eldest, Lilach,
an agronomist by trade,
makes the desert bloom
in far-off Australia.
The middle daughter, Maya,
has been in Shabtai Zaddik's cult
for two years.
And now the youngest, Hagar,
still a high school student,
wants to join her.
If it's their free choice,
what's wrong with it?
Then why does he cut them off
from the outside world
if it's their free choice?
He knows better, as usual.
-That's one of the hallmarks of a cult,
separation from the outside world.
Cults are hard to put
one's finger on,
let alone apply the law to them.
Freedom of religion
protects the individual's faith
from social intervention.
-Someone's crying.
But in cults, it's not all about faith...
-Go to him. -I'll go.
...it's about exploitation
and slavery, too.
Wasn't it hard
growing up that way?
Hard? On the contrary.
A big family is a defense,
it's like...
How can I explain?
We're like our own little town
in the middle of the city.
So being part of "the family,"
as you call it,
is what took you away
from your son,
who isn't Shabtai's son.
-Not at all.
We decided that for
the boy's own good
he'd stay with his father
for a few months,
but we have visitation rights
like any other divorced couple.
His father says
you aren't allowed to visit.
He can't accept my being here
so he says things.
We're used to it.
Too bad it's at our son's expense.
But beneath the surface
there are things
that aren't spoken about.
You have another daughter,
named Atara.
Turn that off.
Why? -It's private,
I don't want to talk about it,
turn it off.
When Rachella, the eldest of
the wives, came to Shabtai
she had a daughter
from a previous marriage
by the name of Atara.
Shabtai raised her as his own.
He expected great things of her.
He taught her what he calls
"holy studies"
but Atara wanted
none of that holiness.
She ran away from home,
lived with a street gang,
got pregnant and even
gave herself an abortion.
No one in Shabtai Zaddik's
extended family
wants to talk about it.
After a heated discussion
Shabtai agreed to answer us.
The police investigated.
Then talk to them.
The establishment doesn't like us.
Give them any excuse
and they'll trample over your souls.
They said you teach magic,
that it's a satanic cult.
The fact is,
all the cases were closed.
You're stabbing me in the heart now,
do you realize that?
So what were all the investigations about?
I fought to take care of her at home.
Just imagine.
I heal people,
but I couldn't save her
from her drug addiction.
Rachella's daughter...
do you realize what that means to me?
And after all that
they come and interrogate me,
after I fought to heal her,
to save her soul from drugs.
Don't cry, Mother.
Why did you say that?
It's not true!
What did you try to do?
I'm saying no more.
It's a wound that won't heal.
Maybe this is your chance...
-It's not true.
...she may be listening to you now.
She was my darling.
-Okay, okay.
Shhhh... Don't cry.
Help her.
-Don't cry.
No charges were pressed
and the authorities
put the affair behind them.
It turns out nobody is willing
to take responsibility
for the homeless girl
and she refused to speak to us.
As for Shabtai Zaddik's family,
since the affair, a chasm has opened
between them and the world.
As they see it, the world cannot
and doesn't want to understand them.
Only a few families, like Ayala's,
accept the change
their daughters have gone through.
So when you meet
you don't hug?
No, no need.
That doesn't mean
we love each other less.
We should have been-
To say it's easy?
-Not at all
But the alternative is estrangement.
Would you let him into your house
and put on a show like that?
-He's an amiable man, all in all.
If he makes her happy...
-I don't know, Yoel.
It's her decision.
-Maybe it would make it easier.
What if she thinks his seed
is the seed of the Messiah?
That's not what I said.
What's the point?
How could I know
she'd bring that up?
But most parents couldn't
prevent the rift,
perhaps because,
for some of them,
the rift was preceded by
problems in the family unit.
Your daughter Maya complained
that you sexually assaulted her.
Bitch.
Yes.
-And...?
You know what?
I'm willing to forgive her for it.
You forgive her?
-Yes.
It isn't her.
You spoke of choice.
There is no choice here.
They'll say whatever he tells them to,
they're under his influence.
How can I defend myself from that?
Say that if it were up to me
not a hair on her head
would be harmed?
Yet your youngest daughter
followed her to the cult.
Followed?
No, she was kidnapped.
And now she's getting
the same brainwash.
A high school girl,
and no law in this country
can stop him from doing it,
and he'll keep on doing it
as long as he can.
Your daughter could be next.
So maybe he's exploiting the women's
plights and they don't really have a choice?
Where do you find the nerve
to tell me
that you know
what's best for me?
Then explain it to me.
You want to blame
our parents, right?
Then it all works out.
First my parents made me suffer,
now Shabtai is exploiting me, right?
It all works out.
But you'll respect me and my choice
because he's not like you.
He respects us.
This is my life,
my responsibility
and my decision.
Now you see why
we don't let the media in?
You only hear what you want to hear.
She's so right. Good for you.
What if, God forbid,
something happens to him?
God forbid.
-If something happens to him...
I won't want to go on living.
Don't be silly.
No, really. It's true.
We'll all follow you.
So is this a cult
that attracts lost souls
or a loving extended family...
He turned her head.
-...with nothing but love,
as Shabtai and his wives insist?
Yoel, no one will believe that about you.
-Either way, Shabtai Zaddik's commune
continues to function
like a society within a society
right under our noses.
-You said the right thing.
And the authorities don't interfere
and even claim that they can't.
It won't affect him, you'll see.
It won't do a thing.
-(VO)This extended family
will continue to live...
At least we tried.
Yeah, we tried.
Did you see that?
Have a seat.
See what you can do?
People listen to you.
See how powerful you are?
Now you see?
Good.
Good.
Will you join me after you clear up?
Me?
-Who else am I talking to?
Or you can sleep alone
if you want to.
No, of course not.
Good.
Tikva?
Tikva?
Tikva?
Tikva!
Tikva!
Fuck...
Tikva!
Tikva, look at me! Tikva!
"DIE"
Atara! Atara!
Alex!
Shit!
"Die"
This place?!
Yeah.
Looks like an ordinary house.
-What did you expect?
I dunno. Right in the middle
of the neighborhood?
Son of a bitch.
Hey, you. Chill.
Be nice. Smile.
Watch yourself.
- I know what I'm doing.
Don't go downstairs.
-Okay.
Orpah? Come with me.
Don't let the kids downstairs.
-Got it.
Maya, are you busy?
I'm going to work.
Come with me.
What for?
Where's the boy's letter?
I have it.
You know which one his mother is?
No. Her name is Tehila.
Should I sneak it to her?
-No.
I'll give it to her.
Just act professional.
Okay, okay... I got it!
Hello.
Welcome.
Hello, hello.
Let me introduce you.
Elinor.
She's my daughter.
Nice to meet you.
-Rachella, her mother.
Yiska, Orpah, Hodaya.
Come, Hodaya.
And this is Osher.
And Maya.
Where's Avishag?
-Here.
Oh, there's Avishag.
Such names.
-Yes.
Is that just a coincidence?
The pregnant women
get a new name.
That you give them.
-Yes.
Are they all married to you?
The ceremony isn't important to us.
The women with no children
we call "single"
but you'll get to meet them all.
So you all have children?
-I don't, yet.
So you aren't considered his wife.
No, I'm-
-She's my pupil.
We foster wisdom,
not only babies.
Aren't you Tikva's daughter?
-Yes.
Can I interview you?
Or... who do I ask?
Of course, go ahead.
I have to get to work.
At this hour?
-Yes.
I do offices at night.
You do cleaning?
-Yes.
Well, Orly...
It's Orly, right?
-Yes.
Orly will be with us
for a few days,
you can speak to whoever you like.
Just one thing, don't disturb
the children.
Their routine is sacred to us.
How many kids are there?
-Plenty, thank God.
How many?
-C'mon, Orly,
don't you know it's bad luck
to count?
Around 40.
Each one is a flower
in our garden.
Which one is Tehila?
Where's Tehila?
-At work.
But you can talk to her later
if you want.
That's it. Anything you need,
just speak up.
No. We'll set up.
-Okay?
Fine.
Welcome.
I'm sorry I...
It's okay.
Can you put this under your shirt?
I don't bite, you know.
Thanks.
You don't have kids, do you?
-No, not yet.
Maybe that's why you envy me...
Is that why you're so uptight?
-Excuse me?
Just kidding.
You're wound as tight as a spring.
-Yifat...
Yes.
Shall we?
-Sure.
First of all, thank you for
welcoming us into your...
How do you call it....commune?
Family. Why do you need a label?
Okay. Your family.
So how many women do you have?
Depends on how you count..
More than 20.
23 if you count the single women.
And they ..what? Support you?
Everyone contributes.
We share everything.
It might sound strange to you,
but here it isn't a competition
like it is in your world.
You're used to life being a battle.
Here, life is an oasis.
Okay, okay...
Why are you here without permission?
It's urgent.
Why didn't you ask permission?
You didn't take my call
and it's urgent.
For you.
-Yes.
Come in.
Why did you tell the reporter
I'm not your wife?
You call that urgent?
I thought something happened.
It's urgent to me.
And you decide for me what's urgent?
I did everything for you.
Everything.
I brought my sister here,
I got my dad in trouble,
I agreed to marry Ariel.
And then you...
without asking me, you...
What?
-You took...
I what? -You took me
without even asking.
I "took"?
You've been begging for two years,
"When? When? Take me and
I'll have your baby,"
and after begging for two years
you come crying to me?
For taking you?
Have you no shame?
But you said Ariel was
destined for me. You said !
And if I find out it was a mistake?
You want to live with that mistake
all your life? And him too.
Then why did you tell me
about the Liberator?
Did you really dream that I'm
the one? Or did you just say that?
How can I know
before I see if it took?
Wait for your period,
then we'll know.
If you think everything's predestined,
you haven't learned a thing.
All my teachings have gone to waste.
Then tell me!
Am I your wife or not?
Let go of me.
Look.
Is this how you want to force me?
Look at you. -Ow
You're a ball of anger.
Is this how you want to be my wife?
What do you want me to do?
I try to help you heal yourself
and this is how you repay me?
You ingrate. Poison.
Without healing
don't even think of having my baby.
Make no mistake.
I think it's fine.
People always gossip about us,
now they'll finally hear
what we have to say.
Yeah, but it's a bit...
invasive.
You know what TV's like,
they're always looking for...
a scandal...
Let them look.
What'll they find?
Is it him?
-Yeah.
I told you so.
Just a sec.
Hello?
Yes.
Lovely.
Hey.
Where to?
Come here a sec.
Let me introduce you.
This is Orly,
she's making a film about us.
This is Hagar.
Haven't we met?
Yes... at the lecture.
So you ended up here?
-As a guest.
She's Maya's sister.
So can I interview you, too?
I...
What for?
Are you making a film about
our family, or theirs?
What's up?
Hodaya said she'd make sure
you don't neglect your schoolwork.
I have...
an errand to run.
-An errand?
Yeah.
-Today's kids have errands...
Are you sure?
-She's sure.
Go on.
We have things to do, too.
Nice meeting you.
We're here if you change your mind.
That's not fair.
What?
Why are you trying to make her talk?
She's in an uncomfortable position.
What do you mean?
Didn't Maya's parents tell you?
Right, why would they?
She's in a foster home.
Maya complained that her father
abused her
so Welfare took the little one away.
We're just helping out.
If someone comes to us for help
we don't ask questions.
Father.
-What?
Can you come here a sec?
Excuse me.
What?
What if she asks about Atara?
How would she know about her?
She already asked how many kids
each mother has.
She's just a camerawoman.
Relax.
Act natural. It's all right.
Hey.
-Hey, Mikey.
How's it going?
Okay.
What's up?
I'm thinking of getting a tattoo.
Your dad finally agreed?
Who's asking him?
Good for you.
What tattoo? A dragonfly?
-No.
Zohar.
-Who's Zohar?
It's not a who,
it's the Book of Zohar,
from the Kabbalah.
Why Kabbalah?
I'm studying it a little.
With your sister's guru?
He's not a guru, Mikey,
he's a healer.
Right.
And your dad's cool with that?
Think what you want,
but I'm not asking my dad.
I left home.
-Where to?
My sister's.
-What, at that Shabtai's house?
Yeah..
-So you've been there like two weeks
and you want a tattoo?
Yes.
-And he told you to do it?
No, it's my own idea.
That he put in your head.
-No.
Listen, I think you're getting
carried away, Hagar.
Why, because I'm finally
doing something I want to do?
What you want or what he wants?
He didn't tell me to do it!
So you came to me, to do his tattoo?
It's not his, it's mine, Mikey!
It's mine!
I have an idea.
Let's go to Kalya
for the weekend?
Nadav and Tika are going.
I have exams.
-Study by the pool.
What?
Tika doesn't like me.
-Yeah, whatever.
She thinks I'm a baby.
Let her think.
You're sleeping with me, not her.
Hurry up!
Just a minute!
If Ariel wants to take revenge
through this TV segment,
he's a big boy.
I can't educate him any more.
Did he threaten you?
He told his mother
he's going to talk to the reporter.
She came to me in hysterics.
What?
-That's what she said.
And you didn't say anything?
-What could I say?
He's a kid, let him talk,
maybe he'll learn from
his foolishness,
I can't chase him forever.
Father, are you crazy?
Welfare will get on our case
and then what?
What?
- You'll just let them?
Ariel's problem is his masculinity.
He's still a child.
So maybe the boy needs to learn
from his own mistakes.
Oh! And we'll pay the price...?
I don't know.
Let me talk to him.
Whatever you say.
Come here!
What were you doing in there?
Can't I use the bathroom?
- Not for half an hour.
Fine.
She's turning into a woman.
What's the story?
Until now she was like
a little wet mouse, and suddenly...
I don't know.
-Does she hang out with boys?
Parties?
-Of course not.
I'm telling you.
I can smell it.
She's a good girl, Father.
But she's changed.
Keep a close eye on her,
make sure she's being modest.
Oh my god, you scared me.
Since when do I scare you?
Done with your errands?
-Yes.
Mikey?
I can't hide anything from you!
But I can see it was good.
-Yes.
Good.
Hungry?
-Yes, actually.
You went to show him
that your rash has gone.
He was the one that called.
And you went .
Yes.
But really... I feel much more confident.
It's not just the rash,
you showed him no weakness.
But he was really nice, too.
Much nicer than...
than he used to be.
Of course.
He's always so cynical.
He can tell you've grown.
He knew you as a little girl,
and suddenly he sees how you've changed,
he's even a little awed.
You think so?
It's not what I think,
I'm just playing back
what you're telling me.
Can't you feel you've matured?
But...
what do you mean, awed?
He's scared.
But why?
-Why?
Look how he wants to take you
away from here.
Listen, Shabtai, I...
Can I ask you a favor?
Please don't tell me
he's not for me.
You'll sound like my dad. I
can't take that.
You really are sweet.
What?
-That's just what I was thinking.
You read my mind.
I was just thinking about
your father,
how alike they are.
Who?
-Mikey and your father.
Two peas in a pod.
He felt you're spreading your wings...
and he couldn't wait to stop you.
Did you get a tattoo?
He didn't want to do it.
-See what I'm saying.
He wants you to remain a little girl.
God forbid you should
make your own decisions.
God forbid
you should study Kabbalah.
God forbid
you should spread your wings.
He saw you can fly,
and he tried to clip your wings.
Isn't that so?
I dunno.
Maybe.
He's happy now.
He snapped his fingers...
and you jumped right back.
He was glad to see you small again.
But he doesn't matter.
You matter.
Why are you looking for someone
who'll clip your wings?
He'll be gone...
but you'll still be there.
You can't keep fulfilling your
namesake
wherever you go.
It's a burden.
You live in rejection.
Rejection is your home.
You only feel at home
when you don't have one.
It's not a good name.
Change your name.
To what?
When the time comes.
-What were you thinking?
I don't think,
I know.
Well?
From a rejected handmaid
to a queen.
Your name will be Esther.
Esther?
Isn't that a little...
old fashioned? It's...
like an old lady's name.
Hagar is chronologically older
than Esther.
But you'll see it shine.
When you see it shine...
we'll know the time has come.
You have many more levels to ascend.
That's enough for today.
You need to get to bed,
you have school tomorrow.
Come on,
I'll walk you.
Come on.
A good deed that comes without
hardship isn't really a good deed,
it doesn't build character.
I'll give you an example.
Take a vine.
The higher you build the fence,
the higher it will climb.
But what happens
if you don't give it a fence?
What?
-You tell me.
Take a vine,
lay it on the ground,
without a fence,
what'll happen?
I don't know.
It'll crawl a little and then die.
Then I should've grown most
in my parents' home.
And you did grow.
Didn't you?
You came here.
Don't neglect your studies,
you hear?
It's important.
Good night.
Good night.
Yes.
Good for you. At this hour?
Hodaya asked me to help.
What're you doing?
-Where were you?
What's with you?
Hello, Mom.
How are you?
-Hi, Dad.
How are you? -Everything okay?
-Hello, hello.
Penina, how are you?
-Nice to meet you.
Tehila?
-Yes?
I have something for you.
What is it?
We saw your ex-husband yesterday.
"DON'T FORGET ME, MOM"
Are you out of your mind?
She seduced him!
Is that the kind of wife you want?
Oh, so she's good enough for him?
-Good enough?!
He feels sorry for her,
he knows that without a man
she'll be a whore.
Watch your mouth.
-Okay, okay,
we all know about your pride.
If you had any dignity
you'd put her in her place.
Don't play macho now.
There's no point talking to you,
you wouldn't understand anyway.
So now there are things
you know that I don't?
Good for you, smarty.
Anything else?
You're a spoiled brat!
Who's gonna pay for your revenge? Huh?
Look her in the eye.
You're making her pay for your revenge.
Her and 40 other children.
You open your filthy mouth
and the next day
Welfare will come and
tear out their little souls.
And you'll be the big hero, huh?
Hero!
Shira, honey,
should we clap for
your uncle, the hero?
Come on, we have to make lunch.
I'm glad he didn't loan you any money.
You aren't worth twenty shekels.
Shabtai?
Shabtai.
Shabtai.
What?
-Can you come here a sec?
Now?
Excuse me.
What's up?
What?
She's showing him the picture.
Where did this come from?
Shabtai,
The truth is, you are
the most precious thing in my world,
but it's wrong to do this
to the boy.
I could have visitation rights
without his father around.
I don't care about his father.
I don't even remember he exists.
But the child...
Where did this drawing come from?
Put it in your bag.
Orly gave it to me.
She's trying to come between us,
to manipulate you,
to stab you in the back.
Don't let her.
I would even...
You could even come with me.
He probably misses you, too.
She'll want to film you now.
What should I tell her?
Just speak from the heart.
Later we'll see,
we'll discuss visitation rights...
after your interview.
When all this blows over.
You're smart.
You understand me?
All right.
You're just filming me driving?
A little.
Yifat, camera on Shabtai.
Can I ask you something?
You're asking all the time.
-Yes.
Who is Atara?
Turn it off.
-Why?
It's private,
I don't want to talk about it,
turn it off.
-Stop filming.
I'm giving you a chance to respond.
Is this how you want to appear?
First you earn my trust,
then you stab me in the back?
I'm just saying... think about it.
We still have Maya's interview.
Take your time.
I'll have to think whether
you'll have Maya's interview.
No problem,
but think if that's how
you want to be portrayed on TV,
That I asked you and you turned us away.
It's your call.
You act so sweet...
then you show your claws.
Who are you texting?
Leave me alone.
Who took you on his motorcycle?
Nobody. It's a lie.
You're the liar.
Someone dropped you off
at school. Who was he?
The kids saw you get off
and try to sneak away.
Give me your phone.
No.
I said give it to me.
Never.
Tamar!
Do you know how much that cost?
I don't care.
You'll never get another phone,
you hear?
Wait till I tell Grandpa.
Am I supposed to pretend?
-No,
do whatever you'd do anyway.
What would I do?
I've put everything away.
Would you rather sit?
-No.
I can stand.
Fine. Ready?
How long have you lived here?
Two years.
Did you move from home
straight to here?
What does that matter?
Just some background.
I moved straight here.
Wasn't there some complaint
against your father?
Is the camera on?
Just asking.
Turn it off.
I don't want this on TV.
Okay. But your biography
is essential to the story.
I get it.
I see what you're trying to do,
to prove we're a cult, right?
That we're victims
and I don't know what's good for me.
You know how many times
we've heard that?
Maya, it's my job to ask.
Turn on the camera
and I'll answer.
Hey. -Hey.
Can I talk to you about something?
Sure, come in.
Come on in.
Look, I got a tattoo.
-Really?
What is it?
Your grandpa told me
that names are destiny,
that this is my good name,
Esther.
Did he tell you to do that?
No.
I like the fact that
nobody will get it.
It's for me.
On the way there I said to myself:
Esther, Esther,
you're Esther,
and that...
gave me strength, you know?
Funny, huh?
Yeah.
Nevermind.
I always wanted a tattoo.
Didn't you have a boyfriend
who does tattoos?
Yeah, but he didn't do it.
What, Tamar?
-Can I borrow your phone?
I won't look at your stuff,
I just...
I need to send a message.
Whoa!
Is it a guy?
Like, obviously.
I threw mine out the window.
My mom wanted to look.
-Out the window?!
Seriously?
-Yeah.
Can he text me back?
-Sure.
Here.
-Thanks.
Now for a first peek
at Shabtai Zaddik's cult.
For two decades
in the middle of Tel Aviv
Shabtai Zaddik has lived
with his 21 wives
and countless children.
The authorities do nothing,
and the cult members
only ask to be left alone
to live their lives as they see fit.
Now, for the first time,
Zaddik has agreed to let cameras
enter his closed-off world.
Orly Nul-Asulin reports.
Here, behind these walls,
are no ordinary families.
This is the kingdom of the man
who calls himself Shabtai Zaddik,
considered by his dozens of wives
and children to be a holy man
and perhaps the future father
of the Messiah.
These women are devoted to
Shabtai Zaddik and obey his every word.
They not only love him,
but believe in his powers.
So it's like Chabad?
Do they think one of them
will bear you a son
that will bring Salvation to the world?
Every child brings
his own salvation.
So what's with the prophecy
about the Liberator?
Don't you know that only
fools have the gift of prophecy?
But they believe it.
They truly believe that one
of them will bear you a son...
"the Liberator"?
Is that from the Bible?
Faith is in the heart.
How should I know
what each of them dream at night?
So it's not something
you taught them.
They found it in some prayer,
"the Sufferer's Liberator,"
and it stuck.
The Levis have three daughters.
The eldest, Lilach,
an agronomist by trade,
makes the desert bloom
in far-off Australia.
The middle daughter, Maya,
has been in Shabtai Zaddik's cult
for two years.
And now the youngest, Hagar,
still a high school student,
wants to join her.
If it's their free choice,
what's wrong with it?
Then why does he cut them off
from the outside world
if it's their free choice?
He knows better, as usual.
-That's one of the hallmarks of a cult,
separation from the outside world.
Cults are hard to put
one's finger on,
let alone apply the law to them.
Freedom of religion
protects the individual's faith
from social intervention.
-Someone's crying.
But in cults, it's not all about faith...
-Go to him. -I'll go.
...it's about exploitation
and slavery, too.
Wasn't it hard
growing up that way?
Hard? On the contrary.
A big family is a defense,
it's like...
How can I explain?
We're like our own little town
in the middle of the city.
So being part of "the family,"
as you call it,
is what took you away
from your son,
who isn't Shabtai's son.
-Not at all.
We decided that for
the boy's own good
he'd stay with his father
for a few months,
but we have visitation rights
like any other divorced couple.
His father says
you aren't allowed to visit.
He can't accept my being here
so he says things.
We're used to it.
Too bad it's at our son's expense.
But beneath the surface
there are things
that aren't spoken about.
You have another daughter,
named Atara.
Turn that off.
Why? -It's private,
I don't want to talk about it,
turn it off.
When Rachella, the eldest of
the wives, came to Shabtai
she had a daughter
from a previous marriage
by the name of Atara.
Shabtai raised her as his own.
He expected great things of her.
He taught her what he calls
"holy studies"
but Atara wanted
none of that holiness.
She ran away from home,
lived with a street gang,
got pregnant and even
gave herself an abortion.
No one in Shabtai Zaddik's
extended family
wants to talk about it.
After a heated discussion
Shabtai agreed to answer us.
The police investigated.
Then talk to them.
The establishment doesn't like us.
Give them any excuse
and they'll trample over your souls.
They said you teach magic,
that it's a satanic cult.
The fact is,
all the cases were closed.
You're stabbing me in the heart now,
do you realize that?
So what were all the investigations about?
I fought to take care of her at home.
Just imagine.
I heal people,
but I couldn't save her
from her drug addiction.
Rachella's daughter...
do you realize what that means to me?
And after all that
they come and interrogate me,
after I fought to heal her,
to save her soul from drugs.
Don't cry, Mother.
Why did you say that?
It's not true!
What did you try to do?
I'm saying no more.
It's a wound that won't heal.
Maybe this is your chance...
-It's not true.
...she may be listening to you now.
She was my darling.
-Okay, okay.
Shhhh... Don't cry.
Help her.
-Don't cry.
No charges were pressed
and the authorities
put the affair behind them.
It turns out nobody is willing
to take responsibility
for the homeless girl
and she refused to speak to us.
As for Shabtai Zaddik's family,
since the affair, a chasm has opened
between them and the world.
As they see it, the world cannot
and doesn't want to understand them.
Only a few families, like Ayala's,
accept the change
their daughters have gone through.
So when you meet
you don't hug?
No, no need.
That doesn't mean
we love each other less.
We should have been-
To say it's easy?
-Not at all
But the alternative is estrangement.
Would you let him into your house
and put on a show like that?
-He's an amiable man, all in all.
If he makes her happy...
-I don't know, Yoel.
It's her decision.
-Maybe it would make it easier.
What if she thinks his seed
is the seed of the Messiah?
That's not what I said.
What's the point?
How could I know
she'd bring that up?
But most parents couldn't
prevent the rift,
perhaps because,
for some of them,
the rift was preceded by
problems in the family unit.
Your daughter Maya complained
that you sexually assaulted her.
Bitch.
Yes.
-And...?
You know what?
I'm willing to forgive her for it.
You forgive her?
-Yes.
It isn't her.
You spoke of choice.
There is no choice here.
They'll say whatever he tells them to,
they're under his influence.
How can I defend myself from that?
Say that if it were up to me
not a hair on her head
would be harmed?
Yet your youngest daughter
followed her to the cult.
Followed?
No, she was kidnapped.
And now she's getting
the same brainwash.
A high school girl,
and no law in this country
can stop him from doing it,
and he'll keep on doing it
as long as he can.
Your daughter could be next.
So maybe he's exploiting the women's
plights and they don't really have a choice?
Where do you find the nerve
to tell me
that you know
what's best for me?
Then explain it to me.
You want to blame
our parents, right?
Then it all works out.
First my parents made me suffer,
now Shabtai is exploiting me, right?
It all works out.
But you'll respect me and my choice
because he's not like you.
He respects us.
This is my life,
my responsibility
and my decision.
Now you see why
we don't let the media in?
You only hear what you want to hear.
She's so right. Good for you.
What if, God forbid,
something happens to him?
God forbid.
-If something happens to him...
I won't want to go on living.
Don't be silly.
No, really. It's true.
We'll all follow you.
So is this a cult
that attracts lost souls
or a loving extended family...
He turned her head.
-...with nothing but love,
as Shabtai and his wives insist?
Yoel, no one will believe that about you.
-Either way, Shabtai Zaddik's commune
continues to function
like a society within a society
right under our noses.
-You said the right thing.
And the authorities don't interfere
and even claim that they can't.
It won't affect him, you'll see.
It won't do a thing.
-(VO)This extended family
will continue to live...
At least we tried.
Yeah, we tried.
Did you see that?
Have a seat.
See what you can do?
People listen to you.
See how powerful you are?
Now you see?
Good.
Good.
Will you join me after you clear up?
Me?
-Who else am I talking to?
Or you can sleep alone
if you want to.
No, of course not.
Good.
Tikva?
Tikva?
Tikva?
Tikva!
Tikva!
Fuck...
Tikva!
Tikva, look at me! Tikva!
"DIE"