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Classic 2023

TLVFest Honorary Award to Gila Almagor & “Tied Hands”

The film tells the story of a sensitive and complex relationship between a mother and her ailing son. Like in Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale “The Loveliest Rose in the World” where a prince must search for a rose to save his mother, who is dying in bed, “Tied Hands” sees a reversal of roles as a desperate mother goes out to find marijuana, to ease her son’s pain. In her turbulent journey in the streets of Tel-Aviv, old truths from her past come back to life and threaten to break down a wall of denials behind which she’s been hiding all her life.

Chasing Amy

Following Sav Rodgers’ wonderful documentary “Chasing Chasing Amy”, we had to screen Kevin Smith’s classic from 1997 (even though it didn’t age that well).
Is this film a lesbian fantasy of a straight man, or does it actually capture the nuances of a pansexual/bisexual identity better than many other films made even today?
A once in a lifetime performance by Joey Lauren Adams as the lesbian comic artist Ben Affleck’s character falls in love with (and she falls in love back). The film brings up questions about female sexuality and fluidity of sexual orientation that were ahead of their time back then and are still relevant today.
We highly recommend watching Sav Rodgers’ “Chasing Chasing Amy” which gives Smith’s classic film added layers and context.

Reaching for the Moon

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Free entry with Cinematheque membership

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A screening for the film’s 10th anniversary

The year is 1951 and the poet Elisabeth Bishop is looking for inspiration. She leaves her New York home and travels to sunny Rio de Janeiro to visit her old school friend Mary Morse. Elisabeth, with her closed off personality and conservative upbringing, is finding it hard to get used to the Brazilian sensuality, and especially to Marys’ partner – architect Lota de Macedo Soares (who will later design the famous Flamingo Park in Rio). Lota’s cold welcome to Elisabeth soon melts and she tries to convince Elisabeth to move in with her and Mary to their large mansion. Mary is reluctant but Lota wants both women to herself.
Elisabeth Bishop’s emotional poems are the heart of the film that follows an important chapter in the life of Pulitzer award winner. The film showcases wonderful performances by the Australian actress Miranda Otto as Elisabeth and Brazilian telenovelas star Gloria Pires as Lota. Special mention goes to the elegant and on point periodic reconstruction.
The film is based on a book by Carmen L. Oliveira.

In association with the Embassy of Brazil

The Wedding Banquet

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Free entry with Cinematheque membership

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A screening for the film’s 30’s anniversary

Wai-Tung, a 30’s something Chinese immigrant from Taiwan had achieved the American dream – he has a Green Card, his real estate business is flourishing, his bank account is full, and most importantly, his love life is blooming. The problem is that his parents want grandchildren and are pushing for him to get married, while Wei-Tung lives with the love of his life – Simon, a charming young New Yorker who already mastered the secrets of Chinese cooking. Simon has a solution – in one of the apartments Wei-Tung is renting lives Wei-Wei, a poor artist with no Green Card, so a fictional marriage could solve both their problems. In theory it’s a foolproof plan, until Wei-Tung’s parents arrive from Taiwan in order to throw their son a huge wedding banquet.
“The Wedding Banquet”, Ang Lee’s second film, won the Golden Bear award at the Berlinale of 1993.
35mm screening.

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“

 

Gods and Monsters

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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.

That’s Gila, That’s Me

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Free entry with Cinematheque membership

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Alon Weinstock’s documentary film has a cult following with fans who return annually; packing movie theatre to capacity for the sole purpose of enjoying Gila Goldstein’s zingers and being moved by the life story of one of Israel’s first trans women who was also a Tel Aviv icon-turned legend, while still live.
Gila was born in the 50’s in lower Haifa. A young soccer player in the Maccabbi Haifa who had always known that she is a woman. In her 20’s she moved to Tel Aviv and worked as a prostitute and exotic dancer. In 2003 she was proclaimed the community’s darling for her contribution and continued fight for social justice.
The film, shot between 1997 – 2010, describes the world of a woman who is, despite fleeting years and many struggles, still happy, optimistic and feeling forever young. Because Gila is the one and only and in her own radical language: “That’s Gila, That’s Me.”

In memory of Gila Goldstein (18.12.1947 – 05.02.2017)

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