“I’m on a path.” “It’s good to be on a path.”
Gad Elmaleh’s Stay with Us takes us along a path the ponders the meaning of faith, identity, and community. The semi-autobiographical comedy is about a man with Sephardic Jewish roots who is contemplating converting to Catholicism. In the process, viewers may want to consider where their own spiritual life may lead.
Gad, who grew up in Morocco, where mosque, synagogues, and churches all coexisted, wondered as a child why he (like other Jewish and Muslim kids) was forbidden by his parents to even enter a church. What wonders and mysteries might be hidden there?
Now, after a sojourn in America, Gad comes to Paris to visit his parents (played by his parents). He plans to be baptized into the church, but is keeping that a secret from his family. Of course, they find out and are appalled that he would contemplate rejecting his history and his people.
Gad’s attraction to Catholicism is best summed up as having a crush on the Virgin Mary. He’s less concerned about Jesus or doctrine. As a boy, he snuck into a church and became enthralled with Mary, who he views as a constant presence and protector.
As the film progresses, there are discussions with his family, with friends, a nun, a priest, some rabbis. Those discussions give us some insight into the path that Gad (the character) is on. They also let Gad (the filmmaker) help us understand what is important about religion and its place in our lives. Does it matter which religion we follow? Can we choose more than one?
The film reflects a time of self-discovery for Gad (perhaps both the character and the filmmaker), but it offers viewers a chance to consider the same kinds of questions. The film may be built around religious conversion, but is really more concerned with what it means to search (or not) for meaning beyond ourselves. The bottom line Gad shares in the film is, “We can ask ourselves if living with the idea of God adds something to our lives, and if living with the idea of God brings us joy or not.”
Although the film is comedy, it is always respectful to faith. The issues that are dealt with—especially the idea of what it might mean to leave Judaism (or not)—are not treated superficially, but rather can help us all understand what our choices can mean, not only to ourselves but to those with whom we share our lives. Whether the conversion happens or not, the path we take in this film is good to be on.
Stay with Us is in select theaters.
Photos courtesy of Film Movement.
