European 2022 Archives

Mascarpone

Antonio, 30, is married and living happily, or so he thinks, until his life collapses one day when his husband informs him it’s over, he’s in love with someone else. Antonio, who gave up his job and became a cooking-loving housekeeper, realizes that he must start his life from the beginning. He needs to find a place to live, work and a new meaning to life. He finds a room in a perfect bachelor apartment with Denis the party boy, starts working in a bakery owned by Luca, the guy from the gym, he even starts studying at a confectionery school. The new chapter in his life teaches him that independence must not be given up for the sake of a relationship.
The Italian comedy “Mascarpone” will whet your appetite for both the Italian pastries that Antonio bakes during the film and for the hot and successful cast that participates in this film.

In association with PrideTV

החלק הטוב שבי

הכניסה חופשית – כדי לשריין מקום ניתן לשלוח הודעה עם שם וכמות אנשים למספר טלפון: 052-8944242

סרטו הראשון כבמאי של השחקן הצרפתי האהוב ניקולה מאורי ( סדרה “10 אחוז”) שגם לקח על עצמו את התפקיד הראשי. זוהי ללא ספק הוכחה לכך שהשחקן הצעיר מסוגל ללהטט בין קדמת המצלמה ומאחוריה ובמקביל ליצור דמות צבעונית וקיצונית בעלילה רבת רבדים עמוסה באהבה, נוסטלגיה אך גם במלנכוליה.
מאורי מגלם את ז’רמי (Jeremie), שחקן צעיר עולה, הסובל מחרדת נטישה אובססיבית, דבר שהורס את מערכת היחסים שלו עם בן זוגו הווטרינר החתיך (ארנו וואלואה). הוא מחליט לחזור אל הכפר ולגור באופן זמני עם אמו, (נטלי ביי) שם לראשונה הוא יצטרך להתמודד עם זכרונות הילדות שהובילו אותו לסבול מאותה חרדה המסרבת לעזוב אותו.

הסרט נבחר באופן רשמי לפסטיבל קאן 2020 וגם הציג בפסטיבל טורונטו 2020. הוא הוקרן במשך זמן קצר בבתי הקולנוע בצרפת רגע לפני שהוחלט על סגר שני בגלל התפרצות חוזרת של Covid-19. באותה תקופת זמן קצרה הוא היה הסרט המצליח ביותר בצרפת. אגב, שימו לב לכוכבת הקולנוע הצרפתיה הגדולה ביותר של דורנו שצצה לרגע על המסך.

Down in Paris

One of the film genres that is a fond favorite of directors is the ‘director in an emotional crisis’ genre, going all the way from Fellini to James Franco. The gay angle is brought to us by director/actor Antony Hickling, in the role of Richard Barlow, a 40 years old filmmaker who is experiencing an unexplained anxiety attack on the set of his latest film, deserts the set and goes out to wander the Parisian night looking for answers, comfort and inspiration. During that sleepless night he experiences random meetings with strange characters and goes through a few disturbing, sexy and thought provoking events. Until dawn Richard will deal with his fears and doubts about his aspirations.

The independent, alternative director Antony Hickling is giving us his most approachable film yet. The result is a nightly odyssey of a 40+ man searching for meaning of life in downtown Paris.
Also starring Jean-Christophe Bouvet from “Emily in Paris”.
Viewing is 18+.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Renowned Portuguese director João Pedro Rodrigues’ new film was screened this year during the Director’s Fortnight event at the Cannes Film Festival. It is a queer musical full of humor, camp, sex and nudity.
In the not-so-near future (the year 2069), King Alfredo of Portugal, is reminiscing on his deathbed about his youthful, rebellious experience. It was a tough summer, the kingdom was consumed by massive wildfires and in those days Alfredo was a young, strong headed prince. He decides to join the fire brigade, to help with the national crisis, despite his family’s objections. In the field he has to deal with a tough commander who isn’t exactly welcoming, hunky firefighters who aren’t too thrilled with the royal addition – but Alfredo will also meet the love of his life and experiment with his most secret desires.
This is no doubt this year’s most fresh and light-hearted film by one of our time most intellectual and intelligent queer filmmakers.

The unique Portuguese filmmaker João Pedro Rodrigues was TLVFest’s guest in 2010 when we screened his films, amongst them the ground breaking “O Fortuna”(2000) and “To die like a man” (2009).

Viewing is 18+ due to nudity.

In association with the Embassy of Portugal

Elephant

Imagine “Brokeback Mountain” meets “Call Me by Your Name” and you get “Elephant”, the wonderful debut film by director Kamil Krawczycki. The film was shot in the Polish rural countryside where the director grew up and is based on his own experiences.

22-years old Bartek runs a small horse farm in the Polish mountains. He was forced to step into the role as head of the family, when his father left and his mother completely fell apart. One day, their neighbor dies and his son Dawid returns to the village for the funeral, after a 15 years of absence. Bartek is completely taken by the carefree Dawid, and for the first time in his life he falls in love. Now Bartek has to decide whether he’s willing to choose freedom over his familial obligations.
This film shines a little ray of hope in the dark times that the LGBTQ community in Poland (and elsewhere) are undergoing right now.
“Elephant” is the perfect film for the closure of this year It will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling inside.

In From the Side

When Warren, a professional rugby player, is injured and sent to play with a local gay rugby team as part of his rehabilitation, things get tense. No one on his new team wants his place taken by the newcomer, Mark – one of the team’s leaders, in particular. But then suspicion turns to lust between the two, and personal loyalties are put to the test, as they try to hide their budding romance, not only from their partners, but their teammates as well.
Alexander Lincoln and Alexander King supply hypnotic performances as the two lovers, supported by a wonderful cast ensemble.
“In From the Side” is the surprising romantic sports drama you didn’t expect. Even if you’ve never played or watched rugby before, you will be drawn into this muddy, sweaty and emotional rollercoaster.

Where Butterflies Don’t Fly

A surprising debut film by Roman Němec comes from the Czech Republic, a country that isn’t known for its thriving LGBTQ cinematic scene.
Daniel is a 19 years old student, he doesn’t get along with his parents, doesn’t have many friends and generally keeps his distance from other people. This is not surprising for a feminine gay youth in a very machoistic and convservative society. As graduation approaches, Daniel finds himself on a school camping trip, lead by the handsome teacher Adam – a gay man who is in a secret relationship with his partner David. Both Daniel and Adam live each in his own bubble, until they find themselves in mortal danger, when they get trapped in a huge cave system. Lost and cut off from the rest of the world, as time and food runs out, two men from different worlds and backgrounds form an unexpected connection, as they fight for their survival.

Screenings include Q&A with the director and the lead actor.

In association with the Czech Centre Tel Aviv

Continental Drift (South)

28.10 screening – Opening of the Master program

Natalie Adler is the EU representative to Sicily. She is responsible for organising a joint visit by French president Macron and German Kanzler Merkel in a local refugee camp. Their presence has a lot of symbolic value to show that everything is under control, but it seems nothing is. The German coordinator Ute, is also Natalie’s lover, there is of course the Italian bureaucracy, and let’s not forget Albert – Natalie’s son, who still hasn’t forgiven her for coming out and leaving his father, and who shows up unannounced in the refugee camp as a volunteer. He also has his own agenda, that isn’t going to help his mother, who’s barely holding on to her sanity as it is.
Swiss director Lionel Baier brings to the screen a satiric, biting and incredibly funny comedy about the not-so-united Europe, especially around the refugee crisis.
Natalie is portrayed by the wonderful French actress Isabelle Carré (“Delicious”, “Les Émotifs anonymes”), her son Albert is Théodore Pellerin (“Boy Erased”) and her German lover is Ursina Lardi (“The White Ribbon”).

Rex Gildo: The Last Dance

One of Germany’s senior queer film directors, 79 years old Rosa von Praunheim, concocts a tragic and camp doco-drama that tells the story of Rex Gildo, who was at his prime German Elvis or German Cliff Richard.
Rex Gildo was one of the most successful German singers in the 60’s and 70’s, who was reduced to doing gigs at folk festivals and shopping malls in the 80’s and 90’s, as his popularity declined. While he continued to perform and was perceived as a sex symbol, he faked a marriage to a woman, though he was actually having a secret relationship with his male agent, and later had a string of affairs, including with his driver and PA.
Rosa von Praunheim tells the story of Rex Gildo, exploring the devastating pain of having to live in the closet, despite, and because of his enormous success.
The film includes interviews with actresses and singers who performed alongside Gildo and were presented by the tabloids as his lovers, such as the legendary Vera Tschecowa and Cornelia Froboess.

In association with Goethe Institut

Burning Days

Turkish director Emin Alper’s film is a smart and political thriller with heavy homo-erotic undercurrents (no sex or daring nudity, but the intentional sexual tension between the two protagonists is sky high).
Emre is a young prosecutor in the Turkish Ministry of Justice, sent to a small town suffering a terrible drought and an even more terrible corruption. He can’t imagine what a mess he’s getting himself into when he decides to start investigating the mayor, his dodgy son and the surrounding them businessmen.
This is Emin Alper’s (one of Turkey’s current leading directors) fourth film and he has created a precise Hollywood thriller in an early David Fincher style, but instead of blue and cool hues this film is painted in the yellow, brown and red of the waterless village, hot and sweaty and leaving you choking.
Adding to the dense atmosphere is the exhilarating cinematography of Christos Karamanis, the precise editing and the end that will leave the audience gasping.

Interview with the director and lead actor.

Additional screening: Haifa Cinematheque 5.11.2022