Esther Kahn

"An affecting, singularly peculiar character study that also succeeds as a penetrating examination of the mystique that surrounds contemporary actors."--Time Out

Summer Phoenix stars as a 19th century actress struggling to escape London's East End.

Set in a Jewish neighborhood in London's East End at the end of the 19th century, Esther Kahn tells the story of a young woman who yearns to escape her family's garment-manufacturing sweatshop for a career as an actress.

Although naturally reserved, deliberate, and lacking in expressive instincts, Esther slowly works her way through the English theater world, where she learns to shed the idea that good acting comes about through imitating others. Eventually she lands such complex leading roles as Hedda Gabler. Summer Phoenix brings extraordinary conviction to the title role. (145 mins.)