Gay 2023 Archives - Page 5 of 6

Out of Uganda

A few months ago the Ugandan parliament passed a draconian law against the LGBT community. A law that is amongst the harshest in Africa – a continent where homosexuality is outlawed in more than 30 countries.
In this powerful documentary we meet Philip, Hussein, Rami and Shami – four Ugandan refugees that are the humane face of this continuing crisis. While waiting for asylum in Switzerland, these refugees – two gay men, a lesbian and a transgender woman, talk about the horrible feeling of being persecuted in your own country, sometimes by your own family, both physically and emotionally, for being who they are.
“Out of Uganda” gently explores the tales of its protagonists, gives them a voice and at the same time introduces the audience to the politicians and religious men that rouse the hatred against the LGBT community in Uganda. This film provides some of the most powerful and moving moments of this year’s TLVFest. It is also a big warning sign against what happens these days in Israel.

The Trace of Your Lips

The screening will be preceded by the short movie “The Anniversary“

Aldo is a young man who is living in the same apartment building as Roman, an actor in action B-movies. Both of them are isolated in their flats since a pandemic broke out and they must adhere to the lockdown rules. They match online, talk and can even see each other via video calls, but they cannot meet in person. Eventually the urge to break the lockdown becomes too strong.

In his new film, groundbreaking director Julian Hernandez explores just how much loneliness feeds the passion and how bright does this flame burn when loneliness becomes isolation. After screening Hernandez’s previous films at the TLVFest (“Broken Sky”, “I Am Happiness on Earth” and “Bramadero”), this time he creates a world that reminds us of recent history, but also throws us into another horrible plague. This is a very passionate film about desires simmering under fear and caution.

Viewing is 18+ due to explicit sexual content.

.
The Anniversary
Director & Script: Marius Gabriel Stancu
Producer: Cosimo Santoro
With: Joseph Altamura, Tobia De Angelis, Stella Mastrantonio, Andrea Pittorino
Italy, 2022, 17 minutes, Italian with English subtitles
.
Today Rosa celebrates the anniversary of her engagement to Roberto. While she waits for him for dinner, she spends the afternoon at the pool with her younger brother Angelo. News of a boy’s body found in a field a few kilometers from the city is the topic of conversation. Roberto arrives before he’s expected and secrets are about to surface.
.

In association with the Embassy of Mexico

Along Came Love

1947. On the Normandie beach, Madelene, a waitress and a young mother, meets Francois, a rich and pampered student. The two young people who are hiding dark secrets in their pasts, find each other. They just want to leave the past behind, but you can’t run away from yourself or your desires.
Katell Quillévéré, one of France’s current leading directors, provides her viewers with a periodic drama about an alliance that forms through shame, pain and escapism into a made up love story. This is also a film about the relationship between a mother and her son, who is a constant reminder of the past she wants to forget.
“Along Came Love” is a film about an alternative family, a family of choice, about lonely people who are very different but still find solace in each other during the complex time after WW2.

Partially inspired by director’s family history.

In association with the Embassy of France

Gods and Monsters

Free entry with Cinematheque membership

A screening for the film’s 25th anniversary

A screen adaptation of Christopher Bram novel that speculates on the last days in the life of film director James Whale (“Frankenstein”, 1931).
The story takes place in 1957. A young gardener comes to work in Whale’s house and a relationship forms between the two men based on teasing, seduction, resistance and rejection.
The film is drawing comparisons between the personal life of Whale, who was one of the only openly gay directors of classic Hollywood (and had paid dearly for it) and the classic and camp horror films he made.
Director Bill Condon has created an elegant and intelligent film that manages to reach everyone’s heart. It stars three outstanding actors in their prime: Ian McKellen as Whale and Lynn Redgrave as his housekeeper (both were nominated for an Oscar for their performances) and Brendan Fraser (who had won an Oscar this year for his role in “Whale”).
35mm screening.

2024 Program reveal & screening of “Love & Revolution

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

Opening words by the Founder and Artistic Director of the festival, Yair Hochner & showcasing trailers from the 19th TLVfest 2024.

Afterwards, screening of “Love & Revolution”.

The year is 1977 and Miguel is going to be the first one in his family to go to university. But Miguel has different dreams: to become a singer and take part in a popular TV competition. He’s exposed to social activists, finds himself doing drag in underground clubs and becomes an activist himself, all this in secret and against the will of his mother Reme, a 50 year-old woman, who works as a seamstress in a luxury suits shop.
In the 70’s homosexuality was still taboo in Spain, the police regularly used violence against the LGBTQ community and being associated with the gay community was an offence that could get you in jail. When Miguel is caught in drag by the police, his conservative mother decides to step up and join Miguel’s friends – other activists from the gay community, to fight the police, the court and the government in order to make Spain a better place.
In his debut film, director Alejandro Marín manages to get into the hearts of his audience with a thrilling and sweeping dramedy on the right to love. A film that is a salute to all those who fought and are still fighting to live in a liberal country with equal rights and no fear.
The film’s original name, “Te estoy amando locamente” (“I love you madly”), refers to the power of mother’s love to her son, and therefore it is also a film that honors all the mothers that support their LGBTQ children, and even if sometimes it’s hard for them, they would fight for their sons and daughters till the end.
The film is based on real events.

.
In association with the Embassy of Spain & PrideTV

Big Boys

An unexpected crush turns an innocent camping trip into a weekend of self discovery in this heartwarming coming-of-age film. 14 years old Jamie is one of those kids who are interested in French cuisine, first aid and reading the news. He’s very excited about the camping weekend with his beloved cousin Allie (Dora Madison, “Friday Night Lights”) and his annoying brother Will (Taj Cross, “PEN15”), but Allie brings along an unexpected surprise – her new boyfriend Dan. At first, Jamie is very disappointed by this addition that is going to steal the attention of his cousin, but then he slowly realises that Dan is actually a really nice guy – he can pitch up a tent and light a fire, he’s open to Jamie’s spice suggestions and enjoys playing the games Jamie is proposing. For the first time in his life Jamie starts to feel confusing feelings of falling in love.
Director/screenwriter Corey Sherman captures Jamie’s feelings in a reliable and moving way, and provides the audience with full and well-rounded characters. Isaac Krasner is very impressive in his first leading role (his next project is going to be next to Nicole Kidman). Also makes an appearance Emily Deschanel (“Bones”) as Jamie’s mother.

Femme

Jules (or Afrodita Banks, by his stage name), is a glamorous drag queen known for her thrilling performances on the best stages of London. Jules lives with two roommates who happen to be his best friends and it seems as if his life is wrapped in a particularly bright and shiny cellophane.
One night after a show, when he steps out to buy some cigarettes in full drag, Jules is brutally attacked by Preston and his gang. After months of shutting himself out from the world, in order to recuperate both physically and emotionally from the trauma, Jules decides to go to the local sauna. There, without make-up, wearing only a towel, he meets his attacker – Preston. The random encounter will turn into an unexpected opportunity for revenge.

Directors/Screenwriters duo Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping provide the viewers with a psychological vengeance drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
George MacKey, who was discovered in the film “Pride”, as a youth fresh out of the closet that joins a group of LGBTQ activists, provides a complex portrait of a violent young man, filled with self hatred and internalised homophobia. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, who is known for his work in theatre, television and films (especially TV series “Misfits”), is taking on just as challenging a role as Jules.
Viewing is 18+ due to violence and explicit sexual content.

Under the Shadow of the Sun

Matko, a 42-year-old Ethiopian man, is released from prison 15 years after murdering his wife. He sets out in search for his only son who was two at the time of the murder. After finding out that his son supports himself through sex work he contemplates ways to help him.
This is a film about a man who feels that his fate was sealed in a moment and is now granted a second chance to redeem himself.

Journey to Assaf

Free entry with Cinematheque membership

After the screening: Q&A with the director and Assaf’s family.

Assaf Kroll was an artist who painted his soul. He painted the three significant and difficult periods in his life.
He did not reveal the paintings to the world but kept them to himself.
After he died of cancer at the age of 39, his parents set out on a journey where they try to learn and get to know their son – Assaf.

Equal

From ‘That’s Wonderful’ productions by Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Grag Berlanti (“Love Simon” and DC comic TV shows) comes a series that explores the birth of the LGBTQ activist movement in the USA.

Episode 1: The birth of a movement
America of the 50’s sees homosexuals as illegal, sick and immoral. As a retaliation two gay and lesbian movements rise up and fight back. The LGBTQ rights movement begins!

Episode 2: Transgender pioneers
The 1966 Compton riots in San Francisco were led by a community of transgender women, drag queens and other people who don’t fall into regular gender assumptions. This episode brings the stories of three remarkable transgender people.

Episode 3: Black is beautiful, gay is good!
The joining of LGBTQ rights and human rights – fights on the national, local and personal levels. We meet three very different activists- Lorraine Hansberry, Bayard Rustin and José Sarria and learn of the first big LGBTQ protest (and no, it’s not the Stonewall riots)

Episode 4: Stonewall: From rebellion to liberation
The Stonewall riots- one fateful night that began a week long of riots that led to the modern LGBTQ movement. After a year of militant activity that changed history- the first Pride Parade went out to the streets.

Additional screening: Be’er Sheva Pride House

In association with the Embassy of United States of America