SAMUEL 613 - BILLY LUMBY (2015)

Written and directed by Billy Lumby, Samuel 613 was nominated for a BAFTA in 2016. Samuel 613 tells the story of Shmilu, a young Hasidic Jew who is torn between his Orthodox upbringing and the world of possibilities outside of it, especially those that come in female form. Theo Barklem-Bigg is fantastic in the lead role, and he is ably suppported by the other cast members. Samuel 613 claims to be the first fictional film made with the UK's Hasidic population, using non professional actors. In truth, the community simply functions as restrictive environment, such as The Brethren do in the British coming of age film Son of Rambow. Samuel 613 is not an extract from the Tanakh, but Shmilu's username on a dating website. If you like Samuel 613 by Billy Lumby be sure to rate and share it!