Amos Guttman’s debut film is a groundbreaking cinematic piece and considered to be the first Israeli feature film that deals directly and seriously with the subject of gay men in Israel.
Robi lives with his grandmother and works in her grocery shop. Robi has two obsessions – men and movies. All his sexual encounters are channeled towards fulfilling his dream – becoming a film director.
The screening will be followed by a panel with Yair Qedar, Elliott, Michal Eden and Omer Ohana, on the subject of the Israeli LGBTQ community 15 years ago (when the film was released) versus today. What had changed for the better and what had not?
Director Yair Qedar chronicles Israel’s LGBT revolution in a series of interviews and archive footage and in the process, shares his own story – a boy from a small town who arrived in Tel Aviv in the mid-eighties and embarked on a journey that began with oppression, before plowing on towards equality and along the way, starting the free LGBTQ publication, The Pink Times (‘haZman haVarod’).
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“
