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Bleeker Street Media

I didn’t expect Rachel Weisz would ever produce and star in a film with hot lesbian sex that's set in an Orthodox Jewish community. Ever. (Maybe I was misled by the fact that she is married to Daniel Craig, aka James Bond.) However, I wasn’t surprised that Disobedience is directed by Sebastián Lelio, the award-winning director of the equally stirring A Fantastic Woman. Lelio has a proven knack for tackling stories with strong female characters.

Loosely based on Naomi Alderman’s novel and co-scripted with playwright Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Disobedience revolves around two passionate women torn apart by their secular and devout lives. Ronit (Weisz) is happily single and living a vibrant life as a photographer in New York, but she is estranged from her highly respected Orthodox rabbi father in London. When she comes back for her father’s funeral, the flame for her former lover Esti (Rachel McAdams) is reignited and threatens to upend their lives and the entire community.

Disobedience has its final screening this evening at the 44th annual Seattle International Film Festival, which happens through June 10. More recommended SIFF films here; and all SIFF films here.