After an accident that results in the death of his wife, cantor Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) finds himself having a crisis of faith. Unable to sing at Shabbat, he flees the synagogue—many drinks, a punch, and a leap in front of an 18-wheeler later, Ben stumbles upon his elementary school music teacher Carla Kessler (Carol Kane). A recent widow herself, Carla decides she finally wants to have her bat mitzvah, and she wants it given to her, of course, by Ben. The two reconnect and begin to bond, and he discovers that his friendship with Carla might just make life worth living after all. Shot in beautiful 16mm, Between the Temples is, “the kind of film that bears rewatching just because you want to spend more time with its idiosyncratic rhythm and energy. Singing in its own key, there might not be a more authentic and purely entertaining film this year”—Katie Walsh, L.A. Times.

This film is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund. Call the Box Office at 207.873.7000 to obtain YAAF tickets. Pay it forward! Donate to YAAF here.

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