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.
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 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.
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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
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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.
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In association with the Embassy of Mexico
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Free entry with Cinematheque membership
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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.
From the moment she kicked a ball, Marinette Pichon’s life revolved around football (soccer). The woman who became France’s highest goal scorer was born in a small town that had no girls football team, but her enormous talent was hard to miss and she found herself starring in the local boys club. Focusing on sport has helped her deal with the toxic relationship between her parents, and in the meantime she struggled whether to keep her sexuality to herself or live out and proud and risk her career.
Director/Screenwriter Virginie Verrier brings to the screen a sweeping biopic about one of the most important sportswomen in French history and who had become the first French football player to play for an American club. Into Pichon’s cleats steps one of French cinema’s rising stars Garance Marillier (“Raw”, “Titane”) in a dazzling performance.
The film is accompanied by a thrilling period soundtrack, energetic editing and dominant camera work. “Marinette” succeeds in the mission of following the story of one of the greatest football players of all time and her constant struggle to get an equal treatment from the country she gave so much to.
In association with the Embassy of France
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.
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.
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.
Leni, who is serving time for dealing drugs, is being released from prison by the police in order to help Robert, an undercover detective, to gain the trust of Victor, local mafia head. Leni and Robert move in together as a couple and start attending dance classes alongside Victor and his partner. Leni is a transgender woman who had begun her transition while in prison while Robert is her ex and in fact the one who got her arrested. Leni hopes to succeed in her mission so she could leave Germany and Robert just wants to do his job. Past feelings are threatening to surface and put the fake couple’s life at risk.
Director Christoph Hochhäusler and his two excellent main actors create a portrait of a couple trapped in a loop that, if they don’t break, might choke them both.
“Till the End of the Night” takes inspiration from Film Noir, and the witty script by Florian Plumeyer is keeping the viewers on edge with surprising plot twists. The film was nominated for a major award at the 2023 Berlinale Festival and has rightfully won his star, transgender actress Thea Ehre the Silver Berlin Bear Best Supporting Performance award.
A surprising comedy from director Hannah Pearl Utt starring queer actress Megan Stalter (Kayla from “Hacks”).
Stalter is Cora, who arrived in Los Angeles in pursuit of her dream to become a successful musician, but for now has to settle for coffee house gigs. In a spur of the moment she decides to go back to her hometown Portland in order to get her ex-girlfriend Justine back. Not everything goes according to plan and Cora finds herself searching for a lost dog, meeting a childhood friend with a grudge and in the midst of a pansexual orgy. Cora is a little like Phoebe from “Friends” (only bisexual) who entangles herself in much more extreme, sexual and embarrassing situations.
Megan Stalter takes the screen by storm in the lead role. Next to her you can find stand up comedian Margaret Cho, veteran comedian Darrell Hammond (“SNL”), Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place”) and Heather Morris (“Glee”), who make up a part of a very colorful cast and the sassy characters in this hilarious and unexpected film.
