Gay 2023 Archives - Page 4 of 6

Opponent

Iman is a former wrestling champion, a refugee from Iran, who is now wandering between refugee hostels in Sweden with his wife Miriam and their two daughters. Iman has escaped his homeland Iran in fear of persecution after a violent crime he committed. He is looking for ways to provide his wife and daughters a place to live and works delivering pizzas on a snow motorbike.
When Miriam becomes unexpectedly pregnant for the third time, and the talks with the Swedish immigration become tougher, Iman decides to renew his wrestling career, despite the promise he made to his wife never to engage in the dangerous sport again.
Iman is hoping that being included in the Swedish team will earn him a special staying permit as a sportsman. As his skills are very much appreciated by the local team and also by one of his fellow teammates (Björn Elgerd, “Are We Lost Forever”), the deeper reasons that lead Iman to fleeing Iran are about to surface.

In his second film, director/screenwriter Milad Alami is aided by a superb cast lead by Payman Maadi. He creates a complex and layered social drama dealing with culture clashes, identities, and how the individual is getting lost inside the political.
Swedish submission for the Oscar Awards 2024.

In association with the Embassy of Sweden

All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White

Bambino is a bachelor, living happily in Lagos, Nigeria. He works as a delivery driver and has a steady paycheck, even if the promotion he’s been long promised is held back. He is well regarded in his neighborhood, helping out as best he can and being generous when people are late to repay their debts. Bambino is in a relationship with his neighbor Ifeyinwa, but he’s not in any hurry to settle down with her. When Bambino meets charismatic Bawa the two become instant friends. He becomes a model for Bawa, who is taking part in a photography contest and the more they meet the more intimate the budding relationship becomes.

Director/screenwriter/producer Babatunde Apalowo brings to the screen a delicate, innocent and soft love story between two men, in a film about finding love where you least expect it.
“All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White” is a very brave film, since homosexuality is a taboo and a criminal offense in Nigeria – in the south of Nigeria the punishment for homosexuality can reach 14 years in prison and in the Muslim north the punishment is public stoning.

This movie is eligible for a special “Monthly TLVfest” price:

4 Tickets – special price 160 NIS (40 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **
6 Tickets – special price 225 NIS (37.5 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **
12 Tickets – special price 360 NIS (30 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **

**NOT VALID for the TLVfest FESTIVAL screenings. Valid only for the Monthly TLVfest screenings.

The Lost Boys

In a juvenile reform center, Joe is getting ready for his return to society, but he’s not sure how life will be on the other side of the fence. When William, a new inmate, moves to the cell next to him, Joe’s desire for freedom is turning rapidly into a different kind of want.

Using Camera Obscura shots, ink paintings, dance and rap, William and Joe embark on a shared journey of self-discovery – both are surprised by the emotional and physical attraction to each other. When the desperation and longing around them grows, they find solace in each other.

Director/Screenwriter Zeno Graton’s debut film traces expertly the twists and turns of desire between two young men and offers an uncompromising vision of love. Even behind bars, an unexpected crush can lead to a freeing and moving love story.

In association with the Embassy of Belgium.

Bones and Names

Boris the actor and Jonathan the writer are a couple, but their relationship reached the point where they can spend their evenings together-apart – one in bed reading scripts and the other working at the office desk in the next room. Boris is sinking further and further into rehearsals for a new film with an ambitious director whose way of work starts to affect his personal life. Meanwhile Jonathan is trying to redefine his voice as a writer. The couple is experiencing a period of emotional distancing, betrayal of trust, fear of losing their relationship as well as fear of losing themselves in it.

This is the debut feature film of actor, screenwriter and director Fabian Stumm, and he shows that he is one of most interesting young voices in German cinema today. Stumm manages to turn what seems to be banal and everyday scenes – in the bedroom, supermarket or rehearsal room, into something unexpected in a film that is an intelligent and amusing takeout on relationships.
The Israeli audience will remember Knut Berger, who plays Jonathan in the movie “Walk on Water” (2004).

Amazing Grace

Newly-Restored Digital Copy of Amos Guttman’s final masterpiece.

Young Jonathan moves to the city, but can’t find happiness. He meets the older Thomas, who recently returned from years abroad and is hiding the fact he’s been diagnosed with AIDS. The two develop a tender relationship, yet only one of them knows that their time together is about to run out.

“Amazing Grace” was made in the early nineties, when AIDS and HIV were discussed in a very politically incorrect way. Nonetheless, it is still a very touching film, thanks to Guttman’s gentle direction and the excellent performance by the cast.

Amnon Zalait is responsible for the beautiful cinematography of the film and Arkadi Duchin for the wonderful original music. Excellent editing by Einat Glaser-Zarhin.

The New Digital Copy supported by Israel Film Fund, Mifal Hapais, Israel Film Archive Jerusalem, Maureen Friedman

Special thanks to Maureen Friedman.

Clip from “Amos Gutman, Filmmaker“

Almamula

14 years old Nino is only on the verge of sexual awakening, but he is already a victim of homophobic hate crime. In order to protect him, his parents decide to leave the city and temporarily move to a farm where Nino’s father works in deforestation. The farm is surrounded by a dark forest where, as the local legend goes, lives the Almamula – a mysterious creature that kidnaps anyone who’s a sexual sinner. So not only does Nino have to face his fear of the monster that might come and claim him, he also has to deal with the church meetings his mother forces him to go to and the local priest who attempts to bring him closer to God by force. Will a meeting with the farm’s gardener give Nino a surprising solution to his existential queries?

Juan Sebastián Torales’ debut film, whose world premiere was at the Berlin Film Festival, delivers a mystical, sensual, surprising and thought provoking cinematic experience on prejudice and its collision with modern thinking.

About Us But Not About Us

The seemingly humble and simple plot of the film “About Us But Not About Us” is misleading: just how exciting can be a lunch conversation between a Literature professor and his ex-student in a quiet restaurant in Manilla? Well, as it turns out, the best thriller of the year takes place in one location, focusing on two actors and with zero chases, explosions and stunts.

Get ready for a well written cat-and-mouse story that explores the relationship between Eric, a Literature lecturer in university and his ambitious pupil – 20 years old Lance. During their lunch dark secrets, power plays, deep wounds and unexpected emotional strengths will be revealed.
“About Us But Not About Us” is a film that explores social standings and generational gaps in a most brilliant and surprising way. It will keep the audience on the edge of their seats throughout and will give them something to talk about long after.

The Mattachine Family

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With discount code TLVFEST ticket’s price is 30NIS instead of 48NIS.

Photographer Thomas and actor Oscar are in a loving relationship along with their foster son. The two had hoped that the child would stay with them forever, but after a few years he returns to live with his biological mother who has gone through rehab. Meanwhile Oscar gets a role in a successful TV show and Thomas finds himself in an existential crisis. Left with no son whom he misses terribly and a partner who works far away, it is a good thing he’s got his friends close to him to act as a safety net.
The wonderful cast includes Nico Tortorella (“The Walking Dead: World Beyond”) as Thomas, Emily Hampshire (“Schitt’s Creek”) as his best friend and Juan Pablo Di Pace (“Fuller House”, “Mama Mia!”) as his partner Oscar. Also appearing are Carl Clemons-Hopkins (“Hacks”), Jake Choi (“Single Parents”) and Heather Matarazzo (“The Princess Diaries”, “Welcome to the Dollhouse”).
“The Mattachine Family” is a charming film and a moving drama that is sure to move you.

This movie is eligible for a special “Monthly TLVfest” price:

**NOT VALID for the TLVfest FESTIVAL screenings. Valid only for the Monthly TLVfest screenings.

Un Prince

Botanical erotica. In his first feature film, documentary director Pierre Creton takes us on a journey in the life of a young man who arrives as a student to an horticultural school. As much as the hero of the film is passionate about learning and working, he’s also full of passion for the older men who work as farmers in the countryside, and even finds himself as part of a throuple with two of them.
“Un Prince” is a quiet cinematic piece where nature and male bodies unite in an organic manner in the pure surroundings. Botany and sexuality bloom in this surprising and unusual film, full of unforgettable images.
The film is accompanied by a VO by some of France’s veteran movie stars – Gregory Gadebois, Mathieu Amalric and Françoise Lebrun.

In association with the Embassy of France

UnNamed

01.08.2009: An armed man bursts into the “BarNoar”, an LGBTQ youth club, and opens fire. The bullet that hit me, turned my life upside down. 13 years later – I embark on a journey where I revisit old wounds, deal with the trauma and talk with my family for the first time about that evening and the secrets revealed in its wake.