Himmo, King of Jerusalem

Amos Guttman’s third film is an adaptation of a book by Yoram Kanyuk.
Even though the film doesn’t deal with explicit LGBTQ themes, but with the Israeli War of 1948, it is steeped with criticism of the existing societal norms and the ideal of masculinity. Guttman’s unique style and cinematic language are imbued well in this film. There is a prevalent subtext of homoeroticism and complex relationships between the soldiers, especially Frangi and Assa (played by the young Amiram Gabriel and Dov Navon).
Hamutal, a young nurse who volunteers in a military hospital improvised in an abandoned monastery, is inexplicably drawn to Himmo, a soldier severely injured during the battle for Jerusalem. Favoritism sparks jealousy among the other wounded soldiers and highlights the tension between attraction and revulsion, compassion and pain, the life force and the wish to die – a conflict that is accentuated by Edna Mazia’s macabre and humoristic dialogues.


This movie is part of Amos Guttman Retrospective

Eyes Wide Open

Before the screening: an introduction by the creators.

Aaron is a respected butcher in one of the ultra orthodox communities in Jerusalem, he is married to Rebbeca and they have two children. When Aaron is looking for an assistant to fill his deceased father’s place in the shop, he meets Ezri, a handsome yeshiva student who is looking for a place to stay.
Aaron takes Ezri under his wing and becomes his mentor. One day, at a remote mikve (a Jewish ritual bathhouse), a deep connection is formed that is shaking Aaron’s whole being. Aaron is developing feelings towards Ezri, spends more and more of his time with him, neglecting his family and his duties to his community and gets swept into a vortex he can’t get out of.

“Amazing Grace” & Panel actors and crew

Before the screening: conversation with actors & crew members who worked with Amos Guttman.

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

 


This movie is part of Amos Guttman Retrospective

Guttman X 5

Special cinematic project produced by TLVfest and supported by The Yehoshua Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts.
Five different episodes inspired by the life story and films of the director Amos Guttman.
Animated sequences between the episodes were done by the animator Mysh.

The different plots in the project are ranging in genres and different cinematic styles:
1) Sivan Levy brings a video clip about a prostitute, two drug addicts and sexually exploited young man, who are successful in escaping their bitter fate for some moments of grace in the bar which serves as a place of refuge.
2) Yoav Inbar takes us to the beginning of the 80th and tells the story of a young boy from Haifa who decides to make a journey to the gay garden in Tel Aviv.
3) Ronny Almog and Emil Ray in a movie about a middle-aged film director who speaks with young director from “Drifted” (1983) and wonders what has changed for the LGBT people in the past thirty years.
4) Yoav Brill tries, in an animated film, to follow after one of the most intimate and public practices – two guys holding hands.
5) Stephanie Abramovich introduces us to Kati Gutman – it’s been twenty years since her only son Amos died of AIDS. Today, for the first time, she dares to open past wounds.


This movie is part of Amos Guttman Retrospective

LGBTQ Mix – Israeli Shorts 6

As its name suggests, this is the most colorful, diverse, surprising and fun shorts collection of the 2024 TLVFest. It contains many different cinematic genres and topics from every color of the LGBTQ rainbow.
Animation, video-art, fiction, documentary, serious drama and comedy – and all of it made in Israel.

Duration: 70 min