The Radical

The Radical” is an intimate portrait of the world’s first out gay Imam. Muhsin Hendricks was a Muslim fashion designer in South Africa, who fought to reconcile his faith and his sexuality. He went to Pakistan to study to become an Imam – so that he may better understand Islam. He came out in 1995, after he decided that he must be true to himself and the world, and founded the first gay mosque in Cape Town (one of South Africa’s three capitals) that later turned into the world’s Muslim queer network. After becoming an establishment in South Africa, Hendricks decided to try and help communities in east Africa who live in countries with anti-LGBTQ laws.
The Radical” is a glimpse into the world of Muhsin Hendricks and the fight he heads for equality and individual safety. This is a film that is much more than just a portrait of Hendricks and a visit to different African countries – this is an inspiring cinematic manifesto on activism.

 

 

In association with the New Israeli Fund

Commitment to Life


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


.

A fascinating and moving documentary that dives deeply into the real and complicated story of the Los Angeles fight against HIV/AIDS. This film was created by the legendary documentary director Jeffrey Schwarz, who had many of his films showcased at the TLVfest in the past, such as “I Am Divine”, “Boulevard! A Hollywood Story” and “Vito”. This film presents a thorough research of individuals and organizations that dedicated themselves to finding a cure for AIDS and dealing with the disease in the early 80’s, when the deadly virus began to spread. Doctors, activists and media personalities made major efforts to work in a society that wasn’t ready to accept the reality of this mysterious disease.

This documentary is full of heartbreaking moments, in-depth interviews and personal stories of celebrities such as Rock Hudson, Elisabeth Taylor and David Geffen. The film provides an intensive and extensive view of the influence of a world health crisis on everyone – from the most marginalized communities in Downtown LA to the rich and famous. “Commitment to Life” gives us an eye opening reminder that the fight with HIV/AIDS isn’t over, but at the same time offers a hopeful view of how people can make a profound change when they work together.

.


This movie is eligible for a special “Monthly TLVfest” price:

4 Tickets – special price 160 NIS (40 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **
6 Tickets – special price 225 NIS (37.5 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **
12 Tickets – special price 360 NIS (30 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **

**NOT VALID for the TLVfest FESTIVAL screenings. Valid only for the Monthly TLVfest screenings.


Chasing Chasing Amy

12 years old Sav Rodgers used to watch “Chasing Amy” repeatedly, and the film had changed his life forever. He developed an identification, maybe even an obsession, with the 1997’s hit which formed his queer identity. When Sav grows older he decides to produce and direct a movie that explores the role of “Chasing Amy” in the queer culture. He even manages to get the cooperation and support of Kevin Smith, the director of “Chasing Amy” and one of the most influential independent filmmakers of the 90’s. But as the production continues, Rodgers begins to realise the legacy of the original film is different than what he imagined and he discovers new things about himself, his relationship with his girlfriend and his gender identity.
Chasing Chasing Amy” is a cinematic celebration of queer culture and identity. A fresh new look on a complex bi classic, how the idea to make “Chasing Amy” formed, what went on backstage, what happened to the actors of the film after the major success and how all of that affected filmmaker Sav Rodgers.
Kevin Smith, the director and writer of the original film, gives Rodgers a free hand and talks openly even on the less glamorous moments of the process. Other notable appearances in the film include Joey Lauren Adams who played Amy, screenwriter and actress Guinevere Turner (well known from the classic lesbian film “Go Fish”) who was personally involved in the film and director Andrew Ahn (“Fire Island”)

My Sole Desire

A striptease show to a techno remix version of Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the sugar plum fairy”, nude reading of Chekhov and a satirical striptease on the theme of yellow vests protests. All these and more are part of a show in the Parisian strip club “À Mon Seul Désir”, a place where stripers with artistic flair can take professional risks and challenge their audience.
Manon (Louise Chevillotte, “Synonymes” by Nadav Lapid) is a young aimless woman with no real purpose in life. She spontaneously decides to start working at the club and is immediately drawn to her new colleagues, especially Mia (Zita Hanrot, “Angry Annie”), an ambitious actress with a partner and a child. The relationship between the two intensifies as they spend more and more time together and Manon finds herself falling for Mia. The two begin a secret affair in a place where you must draw the line between love and work.
Director Lucie Borleteau created a film about sex workers through a female non judgmental gaze. She describes the world of the women working in the club with all its complexities. The result is a surprising and unusual cinematic journey with excellent actresses in the lead roles and quite a few surprise guest appearances, such as Melvil Poupaud (“Time to Leave”), Félix Maritaud (“120 BPM”), legendary director Frederick Weisman and actress Ariane Labed (“Lobster”).

Viewing is 18+ due to explicit sexual content.

In association with the Embassy of France

Homecoming

Catherine Corsini, director of the excellent “The Divide” (TLVfest 2021), is back with another magnificent drama that was part of the Palme d’Or official competition at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Khédidja is working as nanny for a wealthy Parisian family that takes her to the summer holidays on Corsica island. She brings along her two teenage daughters Jessica and Farah. This is an opportunity for the mother and two daughters to go back to the island they left in a hurry 15 years ago under tragic circumstances. While the mother is overcome with memories, the two daughters enjoy everything summer has to offer – unexpected rendez-vous, first love experiences and parties far into the night. In between, questions of their family history on the island arise, which lead the two girls to discover other sides to their mother’s version of the events that she never disclosed.

Just like in her previous film, Corsini creates a microcosm of tensions due to race, sex and gender with a strong and moving female story. “Homecoming” is a drama that is sure to move and impress the viewers.

 

In association with the Embassy of France

Glitter & Doom

Need a shot of shiny, romantic, musical glitter? Here’s the new film from the creators of the classic hit “Were the World Mine” (2008) and “Hello Again” (TLVfest 2017), this time with hits by the Grammy winners, queer lesbian icons, “The Indigo Girls”.
Doom (Alan Cammish) is a young ambitious musician. Glitter (Alex Diaz) is an acrobat and a clown who’s dream is to study in Paris. The two fall in love during the summer, with late night talks and plenty of songs and dances. Their relationship is put to the test when their domineering mothers (the wonderful Ming-Na Wen and Missy Pyle) try to influence their plans to achieve their dreams.

The film was shot in Mexico City and uses the city’s architecture and wonderful views to create a fantastic visual to go along with the kitschy, head-spinning, romantic and queer music. This film is peppered with plenty of guest appearances by some of the best queer stars such as Lea DeLaria, Tig Notaro, Kate Pierson from the band The B-52s, drag queen Peppermint, Broadway star Beth Malone and of course – Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, “The Indigo Girls” themselves.

 

.


This movie is eligible for a special “Monthly TLVfest” price:

4 Tickets – special price 160 NIS (40 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **
6 Tickets – special price 225 NIS (37.5 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **
12 Tickets – special price 360 NIS (30 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **

**NOT VALID for the TLVfest FESTIVAL screenings. Valid only for the Monthly TLVfest screenings.


 

Green Night

Jin Xia is a young Chinese woman, fleeing from a secret and troubled past. She arrives in South Korea where she marries a local man in exchange for a citizenship. She works at the airport security and one night meets a mysterious young woman with green hair. The two immediately gravitate towards each other, but what starts as a surprising night romance turns into a journey where they’ll have to fight for their lives against local criminals as well as face the violent men in their lives.

Director Han Shuai delivers to her audience a powerful crime thriller with two fascinating and surprising female leads: Chinese international film star Bingbing Fan (“I am not Madame Bovary”, “X-Men: Days of Future past”, “The 365”) in a breathtaking and unconventional role, and the rising Korean film star Lee Joo Young, who recently starred in “Broker” which featured at Cannes Festival.

 

The Mattachine Family


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


.

Photographer Thomas and actor Oscar are in a loving relationship along with their foster son. The two had hoped that the child would stay with them forever, but after a few years he returns to live with his biological mother who has gone through rehab. Meanwhile Oscar gets a role in a successful TV show and Thomas finds himself in an existential crisis. Left with no son whom he misses terribly and a partner who works far away, it is a good thing he’s got his friends close to him to act as a safety net.
The wonderful cast includes Nico Tortorella (“The Walking Dead: World Beyond”) as Thomas, Emily Hampshire (“Schitt’s Creek”) as his best friend and Juan Pablo Di Pace (“Fuller House”, “Mama Mia!”) as his partner Oscar. Also appearing are Carl Clemons-Hopkins (“Hacks”), Jake Choi (“Single Parents”) and Heather Matarazzo (“The Princess Diaries”, “Welcome to the Dollhouse”).
The Mattachine Family” is a charming film and a moving drama that is sure to move you.

.


This movie is eligible for a special “Monthly TLVfest” price:

4 Tickets – special price 160 NIS (40 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **
6 Tickets – special price 225 NIS (37.5 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **
12 Tickets – special price 360 NIS (30 NIS per ticket) – purchase here **

**NOT VALID for the TLVfest FESTIVAL screenings. Valid only for the Monthly TLVfest screenings.


UnNamed

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.

 

   

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.