New Release
About The Film
Story Synopsis
Alexandra, a smart, successful medical student with no knowledge of Judaism falls in love with Eli, an attractive young rabbi who answers her questions about ethics in medicine….and then invites her to his family’s Passover Seder. Her radio-personality, psychotherapist mom, Robin, is horrified and will do anything to save her daughter from making the biggest mistake of her life.
What begins as a teacher/student relationship grows into a friendship….and then love. As the romance blossoms, neither Alexandra or Eli are prepared to face what this could mean for their future.
Although Robin counsels her callers and clients to accept their adult children no matter what, and has easily accepted her lesbian daughter Tara, she struggles with Alexandra’s open display of Judaism, such as wearing a Jewish star necklace on campus.
When Eli disguises his voice and calls her program, asking for advice on getting his girlfriend’s family to accept him, Robin gives him advice she doesn’t live by in her own relationship with her daughter. Before the call is over, she realizes it’s Eli. In her anger, she loses herself on the air, endangering both her show and the book she wants to publish, ironically titled “Radical Acceptance.”
Angry at Eli for hurting her mom’s career, Alexandra breaks up with him. But, as much as she tries, she simply can’t forget him. In an effort to save her professional standing, Robin invites both Eli and Alexandra to be guests on her show.
Robin learns to be more compassionate to her clients, understanding that acceptance isn’t always easy. At the same time, she begins to accept her daughter’s choices and even supports them. Alexandra learns to be part of her family, even as she makes lifestyle changes that don’t seem compatible.
Eli bridges the gap between different levels of commitment to spirituality and Torah living, accepting Alexandra and her family, loving them for who they are.
As Robin says to a caller, we’re all people, and there’s so much more that unites us than divides us.
Meet The Crew
Estelle Kohen
(Producer and Screenwriter)
With decades of experience in writing and publishing yet almost none in the entertainment industry, Estelle wrote the script and produced Set Me Free with a whole lot of prayers and heaven-sent assistance from incredibly talented industry professionals.
James Carman
(Director and Director of Photography)
An accomplished filmmaker and cinematographer, James’ feature-length documentary, The Hidden Hand; Alien Contact and the Government Cover-up, won five awards and is distributed internationally.
Many of the films James has shot have been screened at festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto. Five of his feature films were screened at the MoMA retrospective of Bruce LaBruce.
James shot ten films about sex-criminals for Shu Lea Cheang’s 3x3x3 project. They were the centerpiece of the Taiwan Pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale.
James’ recent short film, Bitter Brownies, won twenty-eight awards for Best International Short Film.
James also recently published a sci-fi graphic novel, HyperParanøid, with illustrator Jaf Farkas. Robert Crumb wrote the foreword.
Joshua Gray
(Unit Production Manager)
Joshua Gray is based out of New York City and works primarily as a producer, as well as Unit Production Manager. His last notable project which just aired its trailer debut is S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of the Zone working alongside the duo Evan Muir and Stephen Hancock. Joshua has worked in production for over 8 years and also has a background in performing arts.
Andre Logan
(Audio production)
With over fourteen years of expertise as a freelance production sound mixer, Andre’s profound understanding of sound has evolved from an unwavering love and passion for music. Andre’s professional experience includes work as an associate producer, boom operator and sound mixer. Andre has worked on productions that aired on such networks as Lifetime, HGTV, Paramount, MTV, BET, CBS, FUSE, COMPLEX Networks, and Hulu.
Michael Miceli
(Screenwriter)
Michael is a multi-award winning screenwriter, known for writing the BET+ channel’s family film Due Season, starring Vivica A. Fox as well as the thriller, Bunker, starring Kate Bosworth, Katie Cassidy, Devon Sawa, and Tyrese Gibson. Most recently, Michael wrote the London-based family film, The Dancing Queen, which was directed by Andrea M. Catinella.
Leah Gebber
(Script Consultant)
Leah is a writer, therapist, and founder of SoulScript, therapeutic writing groups with a focus on healing and self-discovery.
Leah is also a fiction editor at Mishpacha Family First magazine and has published several historical fiction novels including Chains, Map the Starlight, Sisters under Siege and Rocking Horse.
Abraham Urquilla
(Lead Editor)
Abraham Urquilla is a full-time Editor, Producer, and Director. He runs his own production agency and has directed music videos for Atlantic Records, as well as producing podcasts, commercials, and films.
Rabbi Daniel Cohen
(Rabbinic Consultant)
Popular motivator, mentor, and inspirational speaker, Rabbi Daniel Cohen’s unique blend of authenticity, humor, wisdom, and insight helps anyone better navigate contemporary society and lead a life of legacy. Rabbi Cohen has served in the rabbinate for over thirty years and currently serves as senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, CT, the largest modern orthodox synagogue in New England.
Meet The Cast
Lex Miller
(“Alexandra”)
Lex Miller (“Alexandra”) is a New York based actor and creator. She received her BFA from the University at Buffalo. Her TV/Film credits include: TV/Film “Haunted Hearts” (Amanda), “Doodletown: Jokes on You” (Bethany); Lex’s theatre work includes: Tuck Everlasting, Guys and Dolls, The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde.
Florimond Patrick
(“Eli”)
Florimond Patrick (“Eli”) is a New York based actor and writer. He can be seen on General Hospital (ABC) and several independent films currently in the festival circuit.
His recent theatre credits include: The Devil and the Playwright (Theatre for the New City), Art & Money directed by Eduardo Machado (Teatro Latea), and Dream Talk in Schreiber Shorts (Theatre Row). He has trained at T. Schreiber Studio and HB Studio
Denise Marie Whalen
(“Dr. Rob”)
Denise Marie Whalen (“Dr. Rob”) has acted in the productions Cream of the Crop (DBM Films); The Hammer of Witches (Paspa Productions); Three Times A Lady (Barbara Kerr Condon, Producer); The Friend (Yellow Post Pictures); Just Hitched (Forever and Always Productions); What’s A Girl to Do? (FAITH2ACTION); and Rock Solid (NewLife Films).
Jaclyn Rosenbaum
(“Deena”)
Jaclyn Rosenbaum is best known for her roles as Caitie Roth in Disney’s “In a Heartbeat” and as Beth in “Twitches” and “Twitches Too” with Tia and Tamera Mowry. (Credited in both as “Jackie Rosenbaum.”)
She took a hiatus from acting while living overseas, and has now returned to North America
Thérèse Azzara
(“Tara”)
Thérèse Azzara is a New York based actor and singer. She received her BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College. She has also trained at Atlantic Acting School and T. Schreiber Studio. Her credits include “Things We Said Today” (Modern Electric Pictures/Les Films du Camelia), “Desert Dream” (American Film Institute), and Stranger Things: Experience NYC (Netflix/Fever)