Israel is schizophrenic. It's religious, it's secular, it's violent, it's Jewish. Following the old joke, for every two Jews there are three opinions. It's a spiritual utopia to some, and a miserable prison to others. Huh? Miserable prison? That can't be the Israel I know and love. What about the beauty, the spiritual, the falafel, the hot soldiers, the exchange rates at the Kent Stand? You can't be serious. But I am. And although it may sound strange, anyone who has spent time in Israel after hours, already knows there is a dark side of Jerusalem, one festering with drugs, alcohol, immorality and personal demons. It is this Israel that the new treif indie flick Holy Land attempts to bring out of the closet, on to the big screen, and unfortunately through the mud as well.

Now, before you close your eyes, realize this: The writer director, Eitan Gorlin, is an insider. He's been through the real J-system:HAGWSH, Yeshiva of Greater Washington, All boys camps, Shalvim, Machal and even spent a year in Muss dorms at Yeshiva University. So the movie's characters are as realistic as possible. They pronounce the CHHH, say “Bli Neder”, and drink at Mike's Place. But also realize, Gorlin is no longer part of that world, he is no longer orthodox, and when I asked him about his orthodox childhood he said he felt that there were times “that Orthodox Judasim felt like a yoke.” It is this duality that captures meticulous religious detail to a T, and on the other hand, taints the film with a clear element of detest towards orthodoxy, religious dogmas, and the creeds that most religious Jews consider sacred.

With this in mind the story line comes as no surprise: Yeshiva bochur falls in love with a prostitute. Oy Veh.

A nebishy yeshiva student Mendy (Oren Rehany),a US born son of a rabbi, in Bnei Brak, who is apathetic to his religious studies and bored of his spiritual surroundings. The first scene we meet Mendy masturbating to a magazine ad, while his parents are preparing for Shabbat. He is irritable, annoying, listless and so accurately depicted, you will be squirming in your seat. Gorlin captured the definitive yeshiva putz. (or in yeshivish lingo: “the bum.”) Oren Rehany could not have played this part any better. His mixture of English and Hebrew, yiddishe intonations and na