Description
Official Selections/Screenings
Miami Jewish Film Festival
Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival
Halifax Jewish Film Festival
Jewish Nevada International Film Festival
Trailer
Synopsis
Sheitel – Beauty in the Hidden explores the cultural, religious, and personal significance of hair covering among Jewish women, within Orthodox and Hasidic communities. Filmed in Jerusalem, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax , the documentary offers an insightful exploration of this topic from many voices and perspectives. It traces the historical and spiritual roots of hair covering for married women in Judaism, its evolving interpretations, and the misconceptions held by outsiders. The film highlights the diversity of coverings – from wigs to scarves and hats – as symbols of both community identity and personal style. Scenes from Jerusalem reveal the diversity of religious expression, showing how head coverings act as markers of faith for not only Jewish but Christian, and Muslim women as well. Additionally, the film explores the intricacies of the wig industry, the craftsmanship involved, and the personal and emotional layers tied to choosing and wearing wigs. Ultimately, “ Sheitel- Beauty in the Hidden “ encourages viewers to look beyond outward appearances and cultural differences, fostering understanding and acceptance both within the Jewish world and the world at large.
Director
Lynda Medjuck Suissa is a documentary filmmaker originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Lynda’s journey has spanned diverse fields, beginning with Jewish Studies and Art History at the University of Toronto and Tel Aviv University. She later earned an MBA from Dalhousie University, setting the stage for a successful career in Marketing and Communications. Lynda transitioned into the world of documentary filmmaking in 2018 as writer, director, and producer of the documentary “Camp Kadimah – The Story of our Lives,” which was featured at the Atlantic Jewish Film Festival and the Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival. Her current film “Sheitel – Beauty in the Hidden” explores the practice of Hair covering for married Jewish women, delving into the spirituality, history, and the deeper meanings behind the tradition.
