This is the fourth episode of a series. To read the previous article, CLICK HERE.
Photography by Philippe and Regula Kradolfer
Talia has a deformity. Born with a club foot, she relies on a crutch to walk and is constantly struggling to keep pace with the other girls in our retelling of the parable.
Yael Kraitzer (Talia) has practiced for days walking with a crutch to prepare for several scenes today and in the days to come.
Yet her weakness becomes one of her greatest strengths.
Her disability has shaped her into someone resilient, compassionate, and deeply devoted to those she loves.
Talia’s tender heart carries over to her baby goat, Chad Gaya. Her bonding with the goat started several days ago.
But where is Talia in the original parable?
She isn’t there.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Gospel of Matthew 25 is only thirteen verses long. Our screenplay is 110 pages. To bring the story to life as a feature film, we needed to imagine who these young women were—their families, fears, hopes, wounds, personalities, and dreams. Great storytelling requires more than events; it requires people whom audiences can believe in and emotionally connect with.
But entertainment alone is not enough.
Our adaptation must remain true to the spiritual heart of the parable. Viewers need to see themselves in these girls—their struggles, imperfections, doubts, and hopes. Most importantly, the story must inspire.
In just the first two days, I’ve been brought to tears three separate times on set. Not because of special effects, sweeping music, or polished edits, but because these remarkable actors have fully inhabited their characters and made the emotions feel real.
Talia’s club foot was created by a Hollywood special effects artist. Despite its realism, it is touched up by on-set makeup artists after every scene.
Much of the second day of filming centered on Talia’s devotion to her sick mother. Talia, played by Yael Kraitzer from Israel, reveals extraordinary compassion and responsibility as she cares for her mother, portrayed by Italian actress Cecilia Capani.
Talia’s loving care for her mother is reciprocated by her faith in her daughter.
Talia’s physical limitations have forged within her a quiet perseverance. Despite constant hardship, she refuses to surrender to self-pity. She continues forward—sometimes painfully, sometimes slowly—but always forward.
Right up to the breathtaking climax.
