Watch One of Us

One of Us is a powerful and revealing documentary film that delves into the world of Hasidic Jews living in New York City. The film follows the stories of three individuals as they struggle to break away from their insular and often oppressive community and start anew. Etty is a mother of seven who feels trapped in her marriage to a physically and emotionally abusive husband. She decides to leave him and fight for custody of her children, while also confronting the social stigma and ostracism that comes with leaving the Hasidic community.

Chani Getter is a young woman who dreams of becoming a nurse, but faces opposition from her mother and community leaders who believe that women should not pursue higher education. She risks everything to enroll in a nursing program and ultimately finds support among a group of other Hasidic women who share her struggle.

Ari Hershkowitz is a young man who was molested as a child by a member of his community. He grapples with the trauma and the belief that he must remain silent in order to protect his family and community. Ultimately, he decides to speak out and seek justice, despite the devastating consequences.

The film takes a deep and nuanced look at the challenges faced by those who choose to leave the Hasidic community, including the loss of family and community support, the pressure to conform to strict religious and cultural norms, and the potential for violence and harassment. It also explores the ways in which the community perpetuates and covers up instances of abuse, leading to a culture of secrecy and shame.

Through interviews with the three protagonists and their families, as well as psychologists, journalists, and academics, One of Us provides a rare and intimate glimpse into a world that is often shrouded in mystery and myth. The film is both heartbreaking and inspiring, as it shows the tremendous courage and resilience of those who dare to break free and pursue their own path in life.

One of Us is expertly directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, who previously worked together on the Oscar-nominated film Jesus Camp. The cinematography is stunning, capturing both the beauty and the grimness of the New York City landscape. The score, composed by Nathan Halpern, is haunting and evocative, adding to the emotional weight of the film.

Overall, One of Us is an important and timely documentary that sheds light on a little-known aspect of American life. It is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of faith, identity, and the human spirit, and a must-see for anyone interested in social justice, gender equality, and religious tolerance.

One of Us is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 78.