About Our Film
Our film depicts the hours leading up to 13-year-old Este’s bat-mitzvah ceremony where she realises that she hates her dress, hates her life and wants to take after role model, Siouxsie Sioux on her big day-even if it kills the rabbi.
Punk Mitzvah is significant in its’ diverse themes yet simple but profound depth. Our film follows Este in a slice of life as she embarks on a transformation as a result of an identity crisis. Throughout the film, Este faces an internal battle as she feels pressures from her religious learnings to fit into a certain mould of what she’s been taught. The notion of becoming a woman in her teachings differ from Este’s own desires as well as contradicts with what forms part of a 13-year-old’s innocent and innovative nature. As societal expectations preach for her to fit into the crowd or face scrutiny amongst her peers, Este’s notions leave her on the verge of a potential collision with those who disapprove.
Whilst most girls her age look up Taylor Swift, Este can’t help but obsess over more niche, classic icons like punk-legend Sioxusie Sioux, PJ Harvey, Kim Gordan and Bikini Kill to name a few. What matters to Este at the end of all of this is being introduced at her ceremony with an identity that aligns with her own beliefs rather than the ones that are being extorted onto her as a 13-year-old, mini woman.
CHARACTERS
Este Roth
Este Roth is 13 years old, blunt and quirky, a bit unusual, lover of punk music like Siouxsie and the Banshees. She is about to celebrate her bat-mitzvah ceremony, just like every woman in her family has for generations. In this ceremony, she is officially declared a woman in the Jewish religion. Este is battling an identity crisis as she finds herself people-pleasing and feels the need to play the role of a typical and modest bat-mitzvah girl. However, on the inside, Este is feisty, a lover of punk, quirky, very anxious and colourful. With pressure from her religion to fit into an allocated mould, Este's story explores her journey to figuring out who she is and how she wants to be celebrated on her big day.
Ruth ROth
Ruth is preparing for her daughter's bat-mitzvah ceremony when an impulsive wardrobe altercation places her daughter's day in jeopardy. Throughout the film, Ruth struggles to understand Este; from her desires to what is really going on in her head. She experiences the occasional mum-guilt and is self-critical of herself for not knowing what her daughter really wants.
Ari Roth
Ari is preparing for his daughter's bat-mitzvah when his daughter's meltdown sends his family into hysterics regarding the fate of the ceremony. Like his wife, Ari is attempting to understand his daughter and what he can do for her to make her happy. However, his aloofness makes every single aspect of his life awkward, including his daughter’s reaction to his stupid comments.
JOSH ROTH
Josh is the protagonist, Este's, older brother. He tends to be overdramatic and mischievous. He is largely inspired by Reece from Malcolm in the Middle. But gay. And Jewish. He witnesses Este's mini meltdown and cannot help but tease her through it. He is in his last year of school and has decided if he fails his A-Levels that he'll just become a house husband or become a business ambassador (join a pyramid scheme).
AUNTIE MANDY
Mandy is, according to Este, the most annoying human being on the planet and talks more rubbish than Ben Shapiro. Mandy is humorous, dramatic and afraid that Este's punk transformation will kill the rabbi. Despite her quirky nature, Mandy symbolises the opposition Este prepares to meet with her desire to be a 'different Jewish woman' than what is expected of her.
Themes
The themes within Punk Mitzvah are designed to appeal to everyone. Although the story follows a Jewish family and the struggles of a teenage girl, the underlying themes and emotional battle that Este experiences will resonate with people of all ages, genders and religion. Many themes are explored throughout the film, from identity, adolescence and coming of age. Este will go through this understanding that she can be who she really desires to be. Embracing her punk side and rebelling against who she is wanted to be. Punk Mitzvah's story is very unique because of its unorthodox combination of Punk subculture and jewish tradition, giving a fresh and thought provoking take on the pressures of societal expectations and adolescence.
Production Design
Este’s Make-up is inspired by the iconic Corrine Burns from Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains. The look has been a central piece of the script since the beginning, Corrine standing as a figurehead for who Este wants to be - A punk standing by her authentic self regardless of what anyone else thinks of her.
Este’s bedroom was built to represent her as a character in contrast to the rest of the family home. Bright unconventional colours and aggressive punk posters contrast the bland, sensible perhaps mainstream colours and decor of the rest of the Roth house. Este is reaching a point in her adolescence where a conflict arises between the Este she wants to be and the Este her family sees her as, and the house is designed to highlight this.