Trembling Before G-d (2001)
85%RT Audience Score:
Awards & Nominations: 8 wins & 3 nominations
Trembling Before G-d is a groundbreaking documentary that delves into the complex and often heartbreaking experiences of gay Orthodox Jews. While the film’s style may not be particularly innovative, its subject matter is both powerful and thought-provoking. Through the lens of Rabbi Steven Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, the film explores the tension between faith and desire, and the struggle to reconcile one’s sexuality with deeply held religious beliefs. With skillful documentary techniques and a compassionate approach, Trembling Before G-d is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of religion and sexuality.
Trembling Before G-d is a documentary that explores the struggles of gay Orthodox Jews as they try to reconcile their sexuality with their religious beliefs. While the subject matter is groundbreaking, the film’s style is not particularly innovative. However, the documentary is beautifully executed and creates compassion for these outsiders. Plus, it has a hero in Rabbi Steven Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, whose joyousness stands in marked contrast to the pervasive suffering. Overall, it’s a powerful and important film that sheds light on an often-overlooked issue. Plus, it’s a great reminder that we should always strive to be true to ourselves, no matter what obstacles we may face.
Production Company(ies)
K&SFilms, El Deseo Televisión Federal
Distributor
New Yorker Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
USA
MPAA / Certificate
Not Rated
Year of Release
2001
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby SR
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Aspect ratio:1.66 : 1
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Runtime:1h 24m
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Language(s):English, Yiddish, Hebrew
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2001 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2007
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
Trembling Before G-d, documentary, faith, sexuality, religious fundamentalism, Hasidic Jews, Orthodox Jews, gay, lesbian, Biblical prohibitions, personal stories, Judaism, Divine, intelligence, compassion, Sandi Simcha DuBowski, directed by Sandi Simcha DuBowski, produced by Sandi Simcha DuBowski, produced by Marc Smolowitz, Philippa Kowarsky, James Velaise, Susan Korda, New Yorker Films, box office, gross USA, $788.9K, MPAA rating, critic reviews, reviewed by Brandon Judell, Jamie Russell, Eleanor Ringel Cater, Geoff Pevere, Ray Conlogue, Marjorie Baumgarten, Bruce Shenitz, B Ruby Rich, Louis Proyect, Emanuel Levy, Jordan Hiller, Anton Bitel, audience reviews, directed by, produced by, written by, starring
Worldwide gross: $788,896
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,329,517
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,523
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 144,986
US/Canada gross: $788,896
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,329,517
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,117
US/Canada opening weekend: $21,410
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $36,082
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,305
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Sandi Simcha DuBowski – Producer
Marc Smolowitz – Producer
Philippa Kowarsky – Co-Producer
James Velaise – Co-Producer
Susan Korda – Film Editing
Director(s)
Sandi Simcha DuBowski
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Sandi Simcha DuBowski, Marc Smolowitz
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
8 wins & 3 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (63) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (56) | Rotten (7)
A profoundly touching look at the plight of gay Orthodox Jews who are trying to integrate their sexuality with their religious beliefs. While the style is not innovative, the subject matter is groundbreaking.
June 28, 2014
Brandon Judell
indieWire
TOP CRITIC
This insightful documentary simmers with a fury that’s passionate enough not to need spelling out.
May 20, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Jamie Russell
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
A unique documentary about the crisis confronting gay and lesbian Jews who wish to remain part of the Orthodox and Hasidic branches of Judaism.
December 12, 2002 | Rating: B
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
To the film’s considerable credit, it focuses on the power of faith more than on the power of desire.
July 19, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
A remarkable film, for thoughtful people of all beliefs.
July 19, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Ray Conlogue
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
DuBowski’s skillful documentary techniques aid in creating compassion for these outsiders.
June 2, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
A beautifully executed documentary.
May 25, 2022
Bruce Shenitz
Out Magazine
Happily, the film has a hero: Rabbi Steven Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, whose joyousness stands in marked contrast to the pervasive suffering.
February 25, 2020
B. Ruby Rich
The Nation
Powerful documentary about the struggle of gay and lesbian orthodox Jews to reconcile their beliefs and their desires
May 4, 2007
Louis Proyect
rec.arts.movies.reviews
June 19, 2005 | Rating: 4/5
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Trembling Before G-d, by no stretch a well constructed documentary film, is an important breakthrough for Jewish orthodoxy because ignoring a consistent problem helps no one.
November 30, 2004 | Rating: 2.5
Jordan Hiller
Bangitout.com
March 27, 2004 | Rating: 4/10
Anton Bitel
Movie Gazette…
Plot
Built around intimately-told personal stories of Hasidic and Orthodox Jews who are gay or lesbian, the film portrays a group of people who face a profound dilemma – how to reconcile their passionate love of Judaism and the Divine with the drastic Biblical prohibitions that forbids homosexuality.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Nothing to add here about Trembling Before G-d.
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