Sabbath Queen is a new documentary by director Sandi DuBowski that was filmed over 21 years the film follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel, a queer father, and the founder of Lab/Shul – an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation.
The film joins Amichai on a lifelong quest to creatively and radically reinvent religion and ritual, challenge patriarchy and supremacy, champion interfaith love, and stand up for peace, ceasefire, and an end to the Occupation in Israel/Palestine.
The film’s director Sandi DuBowski talks to Andrew Whiteside about Amichai and this labour of love.
Press play to watch the interview:
SABBATH QUEEN
Click here to watch the film as part of the 2024 DOC EDGE Festival
The DOC EDGE Festival is in cinemas in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch until the 19th July and online from 15-31 July 2024 – click here for access.