Part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s mission is to foster greater understanding through world cinema. This year 72 Foreign Language films were submitted for Golden Globes consideration. Here is an overview of one of them.

Felix and Meira is an unlikely love story between a young Hasidic housewife and mother, Meira (Hadas Yaron) who leaves her orthodox husband, Shulem (Luzer Twersky) and their close, yet claustrophobic, community in Montreal for a quirky man in her neighborhood, Felix (Martin Dubreuil). Seemingly the two have little in common, but underneath their disparate appearances and lifestyle, they are both equally lonely and exude a deep sadness: Felix is mourning the death of his father while Meira feels out of step with her Jewish community’s lifestyle and values.

Their unconventional romance begins in a local bakery when Felix follows Meira and asks her advice about how to cope with his father’s death, given that he is an atheist while she is religious and, therefore, has the answers to things spiritual. Naturally, she is initially resistant to his approach, though eventually, after he gently introduces her to the modern world of music, dancing and skinny jeans, her desire to live a regular life away from the restrictions of her ancient culture and religion is eventually realized. Finally, saying farewell to everything she’s ever known, Meira risks everything for Felix.

Directed by French Canadian Maxime Giroux, the movie is set in Montreal, New York City and Venice. Due to the challenge in finding actors who spoke French and Yiddish, Giroux cast non actors in the film including the lead role of Shulem. This marks Giroux’s second feature film following his debut; Sophie (renamed as Demain) released 2009. He also directed several short films, notably Les Jours, which won best short film at the TIFF in 2006.

Felix and Meira was shot in 2014 and was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival. It was in competition at the San Sebastian Film Festival, the Torino Film Festival and was selected as the Canadian entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the upcoming Academy Awards. This unusual and touching love story sends a message that love can transcend all obstacles.

Michele Manelis