Marinette

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

   

2024 Program reveal & screening of “Love & Revolution

אהבה ומהפכה

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


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Opening words by the Founder and Artistic Director of the festival, Yair Hochner & showcasing trailers from the 19th TLVfest 2024.

Afterwards, screening of “Love & Revolution”.


The year is 1977 and Miguel is going to be the first one in his family to go to university. But Miguel has different dreams: to become a singer and take part in a popular TV competition. He’s exposed to social activists, finds himself doing drag in underground clubs and becomes an activist himself, all this in secret and against the will of his mother Reme, a 50 year-old woman, who works as a seamstress in a luxury suits shop.
In the 70’s homosexuality was still taboo in Spain, the police regularly used violence against the LGBTQ community and being associated with the gay community was an offence that could get you in jail. When Miguel is caught in drag by the police, his conservative mother decides to step up and join Miguel’s friends – other activists from the gay community, to fight the police, the court and the government in order to make Spain a better place.
In his debut film, director Alejandro Marín manages to get into the hearts of his audience with a thrilling and sweeping dramedy on the right to love. A film that is a salute to all those who fought and are still fighting to live in a liberal country with equal rights and no fear.
The film’s original name, “Te estoy amando locamente” (“I love you madly”), refers to the power of mother’s love to her son, and therefore it is also a film that honors all the mothers that support their LGBTQ children, and even if sometimes it’s hard for them, they would fight for their sons and daughters till the end.
The film is based on real events.


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In association with the Embassy of Spain & PrideTV

 

Cora Bora

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.

 

Inbal Perlmutter – If You Let Me Go

If You Let Me Go” is a documentary about the life, work and death of Inbal Perlmutter. A local rock legend, different sex symbol, a trailblazing woman who was mysteriously killed at the age of 27.
The movie dives into the depths of a groundbreaking musician’s soul who herself plunged into the abyss, leaving a profound mark on Israeli music and culture.


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Editing: Nili Feler
Research: Alona Abadi
Sound Design: Aviv Aldema
Production Manager: Dana Guti
Animation: Mor Galperin, Tal Kantor


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Courtesy of Yes docu

Live Like there is Tomorrow

The touching illness diary, written by Noam’s parents on Facebook, swept away crowds. All were drawn to the story of a brilliant young woman who coped with rare cancer with her girlfriend’s support. Thousands attended the Shiva, documented day and night.

Equal

From ‘That’s Wonderful’ productions by Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Grag Berlanti (“Love Simon” and DC comic TV shows) comes a series that explores the birth of the LGBTQ activist movement in the USA.

Episode 1: The birth of a movement
America of the 50’s sees homosexuals as illegal, sick and immoral. As a retaliation two gay and lesbian movements rise up and fight back. The LGBTQ rights movement begins!

Episode 2: Transgender pioneers
The 1966 Compton riots in San Francisco were led by a community of transgender women, drag queens and other people who don’t fall into regular gender assumptions. This episode brings the stories of three remarkable transgender people.

Episode 3: Black is beautiful, gay is good!
The joining of LGBTQ rights and human rights – fights on the national, local and personal levels. We meet three very different activists- Lorraine Hansberry, Bayard Rustin and José Sarria and learn of the first big LGBTQ protest (and no, it’s not the Stonewall riots)

Episode 4: Stonewall: From rebellion to liberation
The Stonewall riots- one fateful night that began a week long of riots that led to the modern LGBTQ movement. After a year of militant activity that changed history- the first Pride Parade went out to the streets.

Additional screening: Be’er Sheva Pride House

In association with the Embassy of United States of America

   

Festival Program Launch & “Silver Haze”

Before the screening: Presentation of the festival program and trailers from major films at the TLVfest 2023 October 19-28

A breathtaking drama by director/screenwriter Sacha Polak that had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.

23 years old Franky was badly injured as a child in a fire, which left marks and not only on her body. For fifteen years she’s been trying to bring those responsible for the fire to justice. She now works in the same hospital where her life was saved and she always finds the right words for every patient, even for moody Florence. The two fall in love and Franky runs away from her oppressive, LGBTphobic middle class family to find a safe haven with Florence and her family. But the past won’t let her rest.

Silver Haze” is the second cooperation between director Sacha Polak and actress Vicky Knight. The script is based on memories of real events from Knight’s life. Tibor Dingelstad’s sensual cinematography creates raw realism but also tenderness. Joris Oonke and Ella Van Der Woude’s original soundtrack completes the atmosphere and drama of this powerful film.

Nelly and Nadine

The voice of Nelly, an opera singer, is ringing out in the middle of Ravensbruck concentration camp. Nelly and Nadine first met
on Christmas 1944 in the hell of the concentration camp and there started a relationship that would change their world. Nelly Mousset-Vos, was an opera singer in Paris, who used to frequent Natalie Clifford Barney’s literary salon in the 30’s. Nadine Hwang was the rebellious daughter of the Chinese ambassador to Spain. Sylvie, Nelly’s granddaughter, discovers a diary, 8mm film clips and audio tapes in a locked box belonging to her grandmother. She pieces together the unbelievable, bigger-than-life love story of Nelly and Nadine. For a whole year, Swedish acclaimed director Magnus Gertten (“Only the Devil Lives without Hope”) accompanies Sylvie in her search for the untold stories of her grandmother Nelly and her lover Nadine. The result is a moving documentary about a deep, loving relationship.
This is an unforgettable memoir of two women who were determined to be truly free, as well as a reminder of the need for individual and collective remembrance.

Rotten Tomatoes rating 93%

Girl Picture

Best friends Mimmi and Ronkko work at a local shakes bar after school. They exchange honest stories about their frustrations and expectations of love and sex. Rebellious Mimmi is swept into a thrilling and unexpected romance with Emma, a professional figure skater practicing for the European Championship. Both girls struggle to find the trust and compromise needed to sustain a long term relationship. Meanwhile Ronkko is hopping from one party to another and from one sexual encounter to the next in order to find the One that would make her feel sexual satisfaction and give her the long sought after orgasm she craves.
Girl Picture” is a delicate and funny exploration of the fears and confusions that comes with discovering ones sexual identity and female sexuality. Director Alli Haapasalo brings to life the three main characters’ unbridled young spirit in a very intelligent and contemporary way. The three main actresses are very impressive in creating the characters of young and complicated individuals. “Girl Picture” is a film which gives us a positive and refreshing view of the power of female friendship.

Finland’s nomination for Oscars 2023