A new drama with a lot of chutzpa, The New Black gives an interesting view of students becoming Rabbis. It’s fun, mesmerizing and adventurous, a refreshing look at Israel from another prospective. It’s now playing on ChiFlicks streaming service.
It’s modern day Israel with our story opening at a school for college age men who wish to become Rabbis (teachers of the Talmud). The film singles out four students who become roommates each with a different personality and ideas about their religious schooling. But, unlike what has been portrayed in the past in Isreal, this film series gives the students a modern look. Just like today’s college students in America, the men want to go to mall, party, play football in the park and even romance outside the Jewish norm of being matched for a life partner.
Throughout the 12 episodes we find our four “rebels” getting to know one another’s quirks and takes on their chosen futures. Sometimes comical, other times serious, Gdalia (Ori Laiserouvich), Avinoam (Daniel Gad), Meir (Israel Atias), and Dov (Omer Perelman Striks) give us their view of how each fit in the modern Israeli social life, the determination to become Rabbis, and all while traversing the pitfalls and the difficulties involved.
Skeptical of how the twelve 30 minute episode series would play out, I was very surprised on how quickly I became captivated by the 4 men and wanting more. The fine acting by the main stars gets you involved right away bringing their characters to life, yet not too unfamiliar with American norms. The series is a winner as far as I am concerned and I look forward to more if it continues into another season.
The series has not been rated by the MPAA or TV Bureau, but contains language, and smoking. You can watch the The New Black on ChaiFlicks a fairly new streaming service that is available on your television, mobile device, desktop, etc., with Apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple iOS, Apple TV, Android & Android TV!
My rating for The New Black is 4 out of 5 stars.
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
