Jews is a new series from award-winning Lefties director Vanessa Engle, offering a remarkable and unprecedented insight into Jewish life in Britain today. It looks at religion, orthodoxy and secularism, documenting the beliefs and culture of very different kinds of Jews - ranging from atheist and secular Jews through to ultra-orthodox Jews. The three-part series looks at family histories, belief systems and the meaning of what it is to be Jewish.

With extraordinary access to the Hasidic community in Stamford Hill, tonight's opener - entitled The Prisoner - gives an exceptionally rare insight into ultra-orthodox Jewish life in a closed community in North London.

An observational documentary, it tells the story of Samuel Leibowitz, a 38-year-old ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jew, who was born and raised in Stamford Hill and has multiple convictions for international drug-smuggling. Samuel has spent the last nine years in prison in three different countries.

This film follows him as he comes out of Elmley prison and returns to his community. The filming takes place over five months - from Samuel's release from prison up until the removal of his electronic tag - and documents his re-entry into ultra-orthodox life, discovering whether he can overcome his transgressions and live, once again, as an observant Hasidic Jew.

In telling Samuel's story, the film also paints a portrait of his community - a community that lives according to customs established in 19th-century village life in Eastern Europe. It documents their belief in family values, in shunning the outside world and in mutual support through acts of charity.

Preview courtesy of BBC