Yentl

Originally published on social media on November 15th, 2022

When I think of this film, I think of many memories and things that are so personal to me. For instance, I first saw this film with my mom during the first year my parents had been divorced. Yentl made me feel hope, a deeper sense of purpose, and remember God’s love during a time when I really needed it. Many years later, I performed “Where is it Written” for my voice class in college. Recently, I watched it and it made me feel less alone when I got the diagnosis I didn’t want to hear and reminded me of how many privileges I really do have. Throughout the years, this film has consistently encouraged me and spoken to my heart…and somehow it always happens during the fall.

What is there not to love about a film written, directed, starring, and with music sung by Barbara Streisand? I’m convinced that Babs is one of the most lovable stars this world has produced. Aside from Babs, this film has a really powerful message and story.

Taking place in Eastern Europe in 1904, this film is about a Jewish woman who broke free of the chains of overly religious laws and traditions. At that time, Jewish law forbid women from reading the Talmud or any other religious texts. In fact, the only books women were allowed to read were picture books. Along with these restrictions, women were not allowed to be educated and were bound to a life of learning how to become the perfect wife.

Yentl breaks tradition by choosing the life she wants: one that allows her to learn, a privilege so often taken for granted. Cutting her hair, wearing her father’s clothes, and disguising herself as a man, Yentl runs off to a village where she will be unrecognized so that she could become a Jewish student. While pretending to be a man, Yentl falls in love…with God and with a man.

The way this film is written is incredibly smart, thoughtful, and filled with heart. It considers the expected elements in a story like Yentl’s as well as the loneliness, questions, and array of emotions that go with it. She had to make tough choices in order to continue to learn about and maintain her relationship with God. The lyrics to the songs of course discuss this, but feel relatable too.