Making Unorthodox

About Making Unorthodox

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

Making Unorthodox is a German TV show that premiered on Netflix in 2020. It is based on the autobiography "Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots" by Deborah Feldman. The show tells the story of a young Hasidic Jewish woman named Esty, who leaves her community in Brooklyn, New York, in search of freedom and independence.

The plot revolves around Esty's struggles to adapt to the secular world and navigate her newfound freedom, while also dealing with the expectations and traditions of her former community. The show explores themes of identity, faith, and self-discovery.

Making / Production

Making Unorthodox was a collaborative effort between Netflix, Studio Airlift, and Real Film Berlin. The show was created by Anna Winger and Alexa Karolinski, with Maria Schrader serving as the director. The production took place in Berlin and New York.

The team behind the show aimed for authenticity and accuracy in depicting the Hasidic community. They conducted extensive research and consulted with former members to ensure a realistic portrayal.

The series consists of four episodes, each approximately one hour long. It was filmed in multiple languages, including Yiddish, English, and German.

Actors

• Shira Haas as Esty Shapiro - Haas delivers a remarkable performance as the main character, portraying Esty's journey with depth and vulnerability.
• Amit Rahav as Yanky Shapiro - Rahav plays Esty's husband, bringing complexity and internal conflict to his role.
• Jeff Wilbusch as Moishe Lefkovitch - Wilbusch delivers a compelling performance as a close family friend of Esty's husband, challenging her beliefs and creating tension.
• Aaron Altaras as Robert - Altaras plays a pivotal role in Esty's journey towards self-discovery.
• Alex Reid as Leah Mandelbaum - Reid portrays Esty's supportive friend and confidante throughout her journey.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Making Unorthodox is inspired by the real-life experiences of Deborah Feldman, who left her ultra-orthodox Jewish community to pursue a different life.
• The show received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of the Hasidic community, as well as its sensitive exploration of the protagonist's journey.
• Shira Haas, who plays the lead role, underwent a physical transformation to accurately depict the emotional and physical challenges faced by the character.
• The show's title, "Unorthodox," references both Esty's departure from the orthodox Jewish community and the unconventional nature of her journey.

Awards

No awards information is available at the moment.

Quotes

• "I am not here to be a good Hasidic wife. I want to be free." - Esty
• "Sometimes the only way to change is to leave everything you know behind." - Esty
• "No one is telling you who to be or what to believe." - Robert

Music

The music in Making Unorthodox plays a significant role in setting the atmosphere and capturing the emotions of the characters. The original score was composed by Antoni Komasa-Łazarkiewicz.

Soundtrack

• "Spaceship" by Skinshape
• "Dolls" by Grace Ives
• "Oh My Land" by Joep Beving
• "Erev Shel Shoshanim" by Various Artists
• "Ale Brider" by Shira Haas