CineAttico Films Production The Universal Secret of Jewish Sexuality Revealed THE LOST KEY Rediscover Intimacy A Film By Ricardo Adler and Manis Friedman Contact: Melissa Mackenzie mmackenzie@thelostkey.com Ph:561-281-3401 Venezuela/USA • 2014 • 89 mins • 16:9 • 5.1 Surround • NR English, Spanish & Hebrew with English Subtitles Short Synopsis The Lost Key explores how a sexual relationship can go beyond mere physical pleasure and become a spiritual experience where two become One. This ancient Kabbalistic secret was kept hidden for centuries, but now filmmaker Ricardo Adler and leading Rabbis of this generation are breaking a historical tradition and revealing it for the first time. After a traumatic divorce, Ricardo set out to discover how to attain a fulfilling and lasting marriage. His search took him to renowned Torah scholar and marriage counselor Rabbi Manis Friedman, whose book Doesn´t Anyone Blush Anymore? boasts a cover quote by the legendary Bob Dylan. The film portrays the dramatic transformation of Ricardo's new marriage, and the reactions of other couples to this revolutionary way to intimate connection. The Lost Key reveals forgotten wisdom that could inspire modern society to rediscover intimacy and usher in a new era in sexual relations. Long Synopsis Finding your soul mate can be difficult. But, once you do, reaching true and lasting intimacy with your partner can be even harder. That’s what filmmaker Ricardo Adler thought too until he discovered Jewish secrets about intimacy kept hidden for thousands of years and decided to try them himself… and it worked like magic. After speaking with many prominent Rabbis, Ricardo traveled extensively, filming and speaking with relationship experts, married couples, and people on the street to find out their views on marital intimacy. Some were skeptical while others were accepting. But all wanted to know more about Ricardo’s discovery. The Lost Key is a revolutionary new film that offers everyone, secular and religious, the possibility to reach a form of intimacy in the bedroom that few couples have ever experienced, where two people actually can become one. Rabbi Manis Friedman, a world-renowned author, marriage counselor and lecturer, along with leading sexologists, Western and Chinese medical doctors and media experts, add modern insight into the subject. Young couples in many countries discuss in remarkably candid terms their own relationship struggles and successes. Director’s Statement Thousands of years ago, Jewish sages instructed that teachings on sexuality found in the Torah and Kabbalistic sources should be taught to groups of only 2 or 3 students. This wisdom was kept private, almost occult, over the centuries. However, this knowledge began to get lost several generations ago when Jews started to assimilate, and even observant Jews are unfamiliar with some of these teachings today. After a painful divorce I began to explore my roots and came across this wisdom, almost by accident because Rabbis weren´t sharing it. Eventually I remarried, and we’ve completely transformed our intimate relationship by following these ancient practices. The process has been exhilarating and difficult, and we share it in the film. It was worth it though, because we´ve experienced what Kabbalah describes as the highest form of physical intimacy, Oneness. It changed our marriage forever. I had to make this film. By now, after seven years in the making, it has become a life mission. I would like everyone to know these hidden teachings, which are universal. They could transform the way society views sexuality and bring deep fulfillment to marriages everywhere. And I’m expecting resistance, despite support from leading Rabbis, but I’m prepared and keen to encourage dialogue even in the most unlikely of places. This is not your typical documentary. It’s about sexuality but, because I wanted it to be “kosher”, we faced an awesome creative challenge to make it provocative while dealing with considerable limitations on the visuals and language. It also has a topical component, but it’s precisely these teachings that are being revealed that make the film unique and, we hope, a turning point in the history of human sexuality. -- Ricardo Adler What is Kabbalah? Kabbalah is an ancient Jewish tradition integral to the Torah and is often referred to as the "soul" of the Torah. Kabbalah reveals the deepest insights into the essence of G-d, His interaction with the world, and the purpose of Creation. Sometimes called "the Inner Torah" or the "Wisdom of Truth", it offers a comprehensive overall structure and plan for the universe, as well as a detailed understanding of the particulars of our lives. The student of Kabbalah is made aware of the personal as well as the collective rectification process and is encouraged to play an active part in it. About the Filmmakers About Ricardo Adler If Ricardo were a name-dropper (he isn’t), he might mention Stanford University where he earned a Master’s Degree on a scholarship from Apple Computer. Or the Fortune 500 clients he served as CEO of Sapphire Design Systems out of Palo Alto, California. He might bring up the major conferences at which he’s been a featured speaker, or the numerous technology articles he’s published, with prominence in such magazines as Machine Design and MacWorld. But Ricardo would, by far, rather discuss his work after he switched careers and became a filmmaker, starting CineAttico Films with his wife, Vivian, in 2006. His first film, Mazal Tov: What You Didn’t Know About Jewish Marriage has been downloaded over 75,000 times over the Internet and screened throughout Latin America. However, his most important effort to date is The Lost Key, a very personal story, seven years in the making, which presents an alternative approach to sexuality for all couples based on ancient Jewish teachings. The Lost Key is Ricardo’s debut as Director and it promises to significantly raise the profile of this talented filmmaker. About Rabbi Manis Friedman World-renowned author, counselor, lecturer and philosopher, Rabbi Manis Friedman uses ancient wisdom and modern wit as he captivates audiences around the country and around the world. He hosted his own critically acclaimed cable television series, Torah Forum with Manis Friedman, syndicated throughout North America. Over 150,000 copies of his provocative yet entertaining tapes, both audio and video have been sold. Rabbi Friedman’s first book, Doesn’t Anyone Blush Anymore?, published by Harper San Francisco in 1990, was widely praised by the media, and features a cover commendation written by the legendary Bob Dylan. Blush is currently in its fourth printing. Following the publication of the book, he was featured internationally in over 200 print articles, and interviewed on more than 50 television and radio talk shows. He has appeared on CNN, A&E Reviews, PBS, and BBC Worldwide, and has been the subject of articles in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, Guideposts, Insight, Publisher’s Weekly and others. Rabbi Friedman is a noted Biblical scholar, recognized for his sagacious grasp of Jewish mysticism. In 1971, he founded Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies in Minnesota, the world’s first yeshiva exclusively for women, where he continues to serve as Dean. From 1984-1990 he served as simultaneous translator for the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s televised talks. Rabbi Friedman is a professionally ranked member of the National Speakers Association. His speaking tours take him to every part of this country as well as Israel, England, The Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Canada, and Hong Kong. Rabbi Friedman was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1946 and immigrated with his family to the United States in 1950. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical College of Canada in 1969. Interview Subjects & Dramatic Voices Ricardo & Vivi Adler Rachel & Eric Poses Pauline & Yosi Salman Hila Mizrahi & husband Rabbanit Goldie Slavin Samra & Michel Vogel Rabbanit Chani Lipskar Rabbi Eitan & Hadara Weisma n Bruce Turkel Dr. Norman Goldwasser Dr. Marilyn K. Volker Dr. Yong Ming Li Dr. James Pitisci Credits Executive Producers Mairo Cohen David Fridzon Salomon Levy Ricardo Adler Written & Directed Ricardo Adler Co-Directed By Belen Orsini Ricardo Korda Co-Written By Fernanda Rossi Sonia Chocron Edited By Carolina Aular Cacho Briceño Daniel Ruiz Produced By Jose Ernesto Martinez Cinematography Antal Steinbach Daniel Garcia Jose “Junior” Gonzalez Many Thanks to the Brave Ones who Let Us in: (in order of appearance) RICARDO (RICKY) ADLER RABBI MANIS FRIEDMAN RABBANIT GOLDIE SLAVIN PAULINE & YOSI SALMAN DR. JAMES H. PITISCI RABBANIT CHANI LIPSKAR DR. NORMAN GOLDWASSER BRUCE TURKEL HILA MIZRAHI SAMRA & MICHEL VOGEL DR. YONG MING LI RACHEL & ERIC POSES RABBI EITAN & HADARA WEISMAN VIVI ADLER DR. MARILYN K. VOLKER Friend who Dragged Ricky to See the Rabbi JOSE ABITBOL Also Appearing Sushi Chef JENNY ARANGUREN Climbers in Love PAUL FELLERMEIER ROSA OHANESIAN Yom Kippur Cantors LEVI GROSSBAUM BENZION SPRITZER Shofar JORGE MANDELBLUM Rabbinical Supervision RABBI MANIS FRIEDMAN RABBI YOCHANAN FRIEDMAN RABBI DAVID PERETS RABBI YEHOSHUA ROSENBLUM Creative Consultant JESSE ZOOK MANN Assistant Director PATRICIA RAMIREZ Art Director JORGE MIRADA Technical Advisor DANIEL GOLDSCHLAGER Initial Script SAMUEL HENRIQUEZ Research RABBI YOCHANAN FRIEDMAN RABBI YOSEF SLAVIN DEBBIE AKININ DR. ENDER BOSCAN DR. SCHANTHAL FELSENSTEIN PRODUCTION CREW Unit Producers CARACAS Field Producer Second Unit Producer JOSE ERNESTO MARTINEZ NATHALIE SAR-SHALOM VICTOR GUEDEZ SAMUEL KLEIN Production Assistants JOSE COHEN ROMINA HENDLIN DANIEL MORENO Casting Director GUILLERMO LONDOÑO PARRA Camera Assistants KRENDYLL NIETO JESUS GABRIEL ROJAS Glide Cam Operator FREDDY VASQUEZ Glide Cam Assistant JORGE DIV Gaffers MIGUEL GONZALEZ JAIRO VARGAS Electricians JULIO APONTE JHAN CARLOS PINEDA MIGUEL TACOA Apprentice Electrician JEFERSON SANZ Key Grip GERARDO VELASQUEZ Props & Wardrobe NORA R. GONZALEZ Assistant Art Director KAREN KAUFMAN Production Sound CARLOS MARTINEZ FRANKLIN OSTOS CARLOS TORRES Recording Facilities ROBERT RECORDS AUDIO FILM SIGLO XXI Hebrew-Spanish Interpreter FORTUNA BEHAR Catering MERY SASPORTES SERVICIO DE CATERING COROMOTOZ Driver SEGUNDO ANTONIO JIMENEZ Security GUSTAVO MELENDEZ MIAMI Producer-Miami Unit Producers RHONDA MITRANI BEATRIZ URGELLES MARIA FERNANDA URGELLES Production Coordinator AYMEE CRUZALEGUI Production Assistant PATRICIA HERNANDEZ Casting HENRIETTA SCHWARZ Camera Assistant ALEJANDRO RENTERIA Media Manager JUAN CAMILO BARRIGA Gaffer JORGE LUIS ALMEIDA Sound Operators JOSE “BUTE” MARQUES JON UDELL Hebrew-Spanish Interpreter ALAN CHAMO, MAGIC HUT Russian-English Interpreter LUCY SOKOLOVA, FTIA NEW YORK Unit Producer Production Assistant Camera Assistant Additional Camera Gaffer DAVID DIAZ MICHELLE GARCIA ORLANDO THOMPSON ROD WEBER RANDOLPH “RUDIE” CARTER Sound Mixer RICK LOMBARDO Russian-English Interpreter ZAKARY LEVIN POST PRODUCTION Animation Director Post Production Coordinator Assistant Editor Photo Editor Post Production Consultants RICARDO KORDA JOYCE KAHN / OPA FILMS AURELIEN MORYUSEF VIVI ADLER DIEGO CARDIER MICHAEL M. McGUIRE ALEJANDRO PEREZ Post Production Assistants ANDREA STELLUTO LEON KLEIN JAMES MATHISON PATRICIA RAMIREZ Hebrew-Spanish Translator RABBI ISAAC CHOCRON Russian-Spanish Translator ALEXANDER TREGUBOV Animation & Graphic Design TITAN POST ALBERTO HADYAR JESUS MARQUEZ HECTOR DO NASCIMENTO PEDRO DA SILVA JAVIER RODRIGUEZ DANIEL BORRAT End/Final Credits ESTA NIÑA ESTUDIO Audio Post by Audio Post Supervisor Sound Design Dialog Editor Re-Recording Mixer Mixing Facility TAURUS STUDIO GUSTAVO GONZALEZ GABRIEL DELGADO GUSTAVO GONZALEZ FRANCISCO TORO GUSTAVO GONZALEZ 360 STUDIO LABORATORIO DE AUDIO Color Suite Color Grading TREMENDO GROUP GABRIEL PINEDO Music by Music Editor Additional Music Editor Music Consultant MUSICMIND TRACKS JUAN CAMMARANO EDOUARD BRENNEISEN ELIK ALVAREZ Legal Services FERNANDO RAMIREZ JOSE SALGUEIRO JUSTINE JACOB VITINA ARDIZZONE Accounting Services FIGUEIRA-GUADA & ASOCIADOS Production Insurance D.R. REIFF & ASSOCIATES EMPIRE FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE FILER INSURANCE SUPPLE-MERRILL & DRISCOLL Transcribers VICTOR BIGIO CATHERINE GULACSY JULIANA BARRETO Distribution Strategist PETER BRODERICK Marketing Consultants SONIA MARTINEZ ERIK GUDRIS MIKE SALISBURY LESLIE J. YERMAN Copywriter RICK LAWRENCE Website Development ORUGA STUDIO Stock Footage & Images Provided by BAIS CHANA WOMEN INTERNATIONAL GERENCIA DE COMUNICACIONES E INFORMACION / CSCD HEBRAICA iSTOCKPHOTO KENT ADAMS NUEVO MUNDO ISRAELITA POND5.COM UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS / UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON MAN INSPECTING TORAH © HULTON-DEUTSCH COLLECTION/CORBIS TEACHER & TEEN BOYS IN YESHIVA CLASS © BLAINE HARRINGTON III/CORBIS TALMUD SCHOLARS IN A YESHIVA © ANNIE GRIFFITHS BELT/CORBIS TOMB OF RABBI MOSHE BEN MAIMON © WALTER BIBIKOW/JAI/CORBIS READING TOGETHER © PETER TURNLEY/CORBIS YESHIVA STUDENTS STUDY IN WEST BANK © JIM HOLLANDER/EPA/CORBIS Additional Footage & Images YEARBOOK PHOTO OF RICKY ADLER © UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON PAINTING OF RABBI SHIMON BAR YOCHAI © BENE ISRAEL NEWS ¿DE QUÉ TAMAÑO ES TU HAMBRE? © BURGER KING CORPORATION BEEFY CRUNCH BURRITO © TACO BELL CORPORATION STEAKHOUSE BURGER © BURGER KING CORPORATION ULTIMATE STUFFED CRUST PIZZA © PIZZA HUT, INC. FIRST CUP, TWO THUMBS, FAUSTIN © BURGER KING CORPORATION OREO O’S ISLAND © KRAFT GENERAL FOODS PAULY D PHOTO BY PETER GONZAGA VINNY GUADAGNINO PHOTO BY JOSH KESSLER JERSEY SHORE © 495 PRODUCTIONS/MTV MOET & SEX AND THE CITY2 © MOËT & CHANDON SEX AND THE CITY © NEW LINE CINEMA NATALIA VODIANOVA PHOTO BY MARIO TESTINO © VOGUE UK EMPORIO HE & SHE © PERFUME REPUBLIC/GIORGIO ARMANI MAGNUM ICE CREAM FEAT, RACHEL BILSON © UNILEVER ICE CREAM SPECTACULAR NEW YORK © CASTLE FILMS/UNITED WORLD FILMS/TRAVEL FILM ARCHIVE VALENTINE’S DAY © NEW LINE CINEMA THE PROPOSAL © TOUCHSTONE PICTURES YOU’VE GOT MAIL © TOUCHSTONE PICTURES WHAT IS THE TORAH’S VIEW ON BIRTH CONTROL? © CHABAD.ORG/ CHABAD-LUBAVITCH MEDIA CENTER YASMIN BIRTH CONTROL © BAYER SCHERING PHARMA AG MIRENA BIRTH CONTROL © BAYER SCHERING PHARMA AG NUVARING OH © MERCK & CO. INC. YOUR CONTRACEPTION GUIDE © NHS CHOICES, DEPT. OF HEALTH (UK) Music “SABBATH PRAYER” Written by SHELDON HARNICK Performed by PEDRO STERN “NALE, NALE” Performed by ELENA REY Y ORQUESTA LA TRAYECTORIA TRADITIONAL “MAZAL TOV” Performed by ELENA REY Y ORQUESTA LA TRAYECTORIA TRADITIONAL Film Equipment Provided by ADN COMUNICACION VISUAL ALFARERIA CINEMATOGRAFICA CINEQUIPOS 2002 KRENDYLL NIETO REGALO RENTAL LUIS SUAREZ ALEJANDRA GUEVARA (MIAMI) MIDTOWN VIDEO (MIAMI) LVR CAMERA RENTAL (NEW YORK) Caracas Film Locations ALCALDIA DEL MUNICIPIO CHACAO ALCALDIA DEL MUNICIPIO LIBERTADOR ALTAMIRA TENNIS CLUB CENTRO LIDO CENTRO CULTURAL EDUCATIVO GONZALO BENAIM PINTO CSCD HEBRAICA COOPERATIVA DE ARTICULOS RELIGIOSOS DR. JOSE GREGORIO HERNANDEZ HOGAR JABAD LUBAVITCH JOSE Y SARA LERNER HOSPITAL DE CLINICAS CARACAS INSTITUTO AUTONOMO DE AGUAS Y ACUEDUCTOS DEL MUNICIPIO SUCRE INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE PARQUES RESIDENCIAS PARQUE SAN FELIPE A UNION ISRAELITA DE CARACAS HOME OF MARISOL & SALOMON COHEN HOME OF EILEEN & DAVID OBADIA Miami Film Locations CITY OF MIAMI AND MIAMI BEACH / MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COCOWALK MALL GLOTTMAN DESIGN JOEY’S CAFÉ THE SHUL HOME OF LISA & GABRIEL GROISMAN HOME OF TILA & MOSHE LEVI HOME OF RABBI SHOLOM & CHANI LIPSKAR New York Film Locations CITY OF NEW YORK THE WELLSPRINGS CENTER Very Special Thanks ELENA COHEN SONIA & SHARON FRIDZON NATHALIE LEVY CHANI FRIEDMAN RABBI ZALMAN FRIEDMAN KRAINDY KLEIN, MIKVAH.ORG CHAYA M. KLEIN, MIKVAH.ORG Special Thanks RABBI MOSHE PERMAN RABBI AARON RASKIN GERALDINE & JACKY ABECASSIS VALERIE & MANUEL ADLER SYLVIA & ISAAC BENAIM HILA & GUY BESSIS ALEX BRENER EFRAIM BURDEINICK SILVESTRE CHACON MICHELINA CIANCIULLI DR. RAFAEL COHEN FRANCESCA FERRARI DR. BERNARD GARTNER ELLEN & PETER ITZLER HANNAH, GABRIELLA & SOPHIE ITZLER YOEL KELMAN SALOMON LERNER ESTHER HADASSAH LOEWENTHAL GABRIEL POSADA BEN ROZSANSKY FREDDY SHEINFELD NECHAMA & PAUL SHUTYAK YOCHEVED SIDOF ELKE & SAUL SUDIN BATSHEVA VYNER DAVID VYNER NAOMI, MICHAEL & AVISHAI WEINBERGER ...AND OUR INTERVIEWEES ON THE STREET! Thanks HOLLYWOOD BADGERS INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER PROJECT THE BRITISH SCHOOL (CARACAS) RABBI AMRAM ANIDJAR RABBI PYNCHAS BRENER RABBANIT MEIRA DAVIS RABBI LEVI & CHANIE FOGELMAN RABBI MORDECHAI KANELSKY RABBI MOSHE & PENINA LIPSZYC RABBI MEIR HAIM POSNER RABBANIT CHANI ROSENBLUM ARLENE & ROBERTO ADLER BETTY ANIDJAR DR. RONNY AQUININ MANUEL AVILA RACHEL BENCHIMOL ALBERTO BENZADON VICTORIA CARO RABBI IONA BLICKSTEIN RABBANIT ZIPORA BRUSOWANKIN RABBI MOISHE DENBURG RABBI ALEXANDER KALLER RABBI SCHNEUR & DEVORAH KAPLAN RABBI JOSEF MEDINA RABBI CHAIM & MILKA RAITPORT DR. ARIE COHEN SILVIA COHEN JACOBO COTTER MARC ERLBAUM DEBBIE & DANIEL FRIDZON CHANA’LE & BENNY FRIEDMAN JACQUELINE GOLDBERG ANABELLA JAROSLAVSKI MOISHY KORF SAUL LEVINE LU LIPPOLD ROLANDO LOEWENSTEIN LIA MAYER-SOMMER JUAN CARLOS MELIAN DR. ISRAEL PESATE HEIDI REINBERG SAMI ROZENBAUM YAEL & SHIMON SIBONI SAMUEL SULTAN LIAV & PATTY TZIONI DAVID YOBLICK MARIA CAROLINA AGUERO ESMERALDA AQUININ Z”L GUSTAVO ARNSTEIN MARIA AUXILIADORA BARRIOS BELLA & ISAAC BENSICSU NOI CARDOZO MERCEDES CHOCRON DE RUSSO SAMUEL COHEN TAMMY COHEN SHAYNA ELIAV IVAN ESPEJO AVRAHAM FRIED ORLEY FUNDAMINSKY SAUL GUTIERREZ, TERRARIUM ANDRES KORDA AIMEE LEON Z¨L LUCERO LEVY MEIR LOBEL TIM MAHONEY ALEXANDRA MEDIALDEA KATHY & MOISES MIZRAHI GUSTAVO PRIETO MILO ROSSI GINY SHNEIDERMAN JEANNE SUGGS SIMON SULTAN MAURICIO VURGAIT MONICA YUDOVICH …AND THE BACHURIM! BACHURIM! BACHURIM! Yom Kippur footage was recorded during a regular weekday. Some food brands depicted in the film may not be kosher. Torah quotations are not intended as literal translations. CineAttico Films and the filmmakers make no representations or warranties as to results that may be obtained from the information or content of the film. Reliance upon any opinion, advice, statement, content, or information is solely at the viewer’s discretion. This motion picture is protected under United States and International law. Unauthorized duplication, distribution, or exhibition may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution. Visit us at: www.thelostkey.com facebook.com/TheLostKey @thelostkeymovie Le dedico esta pelicula a Mi Bella. Que Hashem siga iluminando nuestro camino! The Lost Key © MMXIV CineAttico Films. All rights reserved.