Boaz Frenkel

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Eitan Mansuri

Producers:

Boaz Frenkel

The Widow's Detective

Lab Edition

2024

LOGLINE

An ultra-Orthodox PI from Brooklyn is hired by a young widow to find her missing brother-in-law to perform a "Halitza," a religious ceremony that frees her from the obligation to marry her late husband's brother, thus freeing her to remarry

SYNOPSIS

Simcha (40), An ultra-Orthodox PI from Brooklyn, is hired by a young widow to find her missing brother-in-law for a "Halitza” ceremony. The case takes a dark turn when he discovers his client is an impostor and that her operator was murdered. Now the prime suspect, Simcha embarks on a fateful journey to find the mysterious brother and clear his name. This leads him all the way to Hamburg's secular nightlife, where he finds himself embroiled in a deep corrupted inheritance battle within a large Hasidic court and uncovers a secret bigger than expected.

WRITER'S STATEMENT

The Widow’s Detective is a Jewish and cynical version of American film noir movies from the 1930s and 1940s and neo-noir films from the 1970s to the present day. The encounter of this genre with the mysterious, closed, crowded, and non-individualistic ultra-Orthodox enclave of Williamsburg creates a connection that produces an ironic gap filled with dark and mysterious tones. This world becomes both a haven and a prison for characters who navigate secrets and have clashing expectations. With high-contrast lighting in narrow alleys and dimly-lit yeshivas, the series explores faith and identity amid mystery. It's Shtisel meets Chinatown, probing the tension between modernity and tradition.

PRODUCER'S STATEMENT

When we encountered Boaz Frankel's previous works, it was clear to us that he had a unique vision and a deep understanding of the complexities within the worlds he portrays and we were very eager to work with him on this project. "The Widow's Detective" stands out by merging the intricacies of a Hasidic Jewish community with the timeless appeal of a film noir detective story. This fusion offers a fresh and distinctive perspective. Boaz’s film noir-inspired lens adds depth and intensity, promising a visually striking and emotionally compelling experience that we believe will captivate audiences worldwide. We are incredibly excited to bring this project to light and share it with the audience.

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