European 2024 Archives - Page 4 of 6

All of Us Strangers

One night, in an almost empty apartment tower in current London, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a random meeting with a curious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal), a meeting that brings life to his daily routine. When a relationship starts to develop between them, Adam is drawn to the memories of his past and finds himself returning to the working-class town where he grew up in and his childhood home where his parents lived. To his immense surprise, his long deceased parents (Jamie Bell and Claire Foy), still live in the house and look exactly as they did 30 years ago.

Directed by Andrew Haigh (“45 years”, “Weekend”).

The movie is also available on Disney Plus

The Favourite

Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become quite time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion.

The movie is also available on Disney Plus

OUT

Tom and Ajani have been a couple since they were in high school. They yearn for a life outside their small rural community in the Netherlands and the solution is Amsterdam, where the queer scene is lively and they can both live their dreams. Tom is planning to study films and become a director and Ajani discovers the nightlife, makes new friends and maybe finds a new identity. Both are destined to ask themselves for the first time who they really are and how they fit in the world, or even with one another.
In his debut film, director Dennis Alink gives us a thrilling glimpse into the world of young queer folk today who are on a journey of self discovery that is unapologetic, full of life and heartbreaking all at the same time. The film is shot in a stylish black-and-white cinematography that brings to mind classic films about coming-of-age, such as Peter Bogdanovich’ “The Last Picture Show” and Gus Van Sant’s “Mala Noche”.

Viewing is 18+ due to explicit sexual content and drug use.

Courtesy of PrideTV

Trans Memoria

Victoria examines her past in order to understand her gender affirming process and what it is that defines her as a woman.
After losing her best friend Meryl, with whom she went through transition, she shares the pain with Athena and Aamina, who are both in the process of transitioning themselves. Together, the three women explore who they were before and who they are today, listening to the ghosts of the past, the giggles of today and the whispers of the future.
“Trans Memoria” is a personal, honest and deep piece that deals with the results of losing someone close and with life itself through the transgender experience. Heroines’ journey goes through Thailand and France, old video diaries, and illuminates the friendship of three women with unique internal lives.

In association with the Embassy of Sweden

Three Kilometres to the End of the World

17 years old Adi, who is in love with a male student from Bucharest, comes to spend the summer in his small and traditional home village on the bank of the Danube river. After a violent attack one night, Adi’s world is turned upside down, when his parents seem to prefer their religion and monetary interests over him, and the villagers and the authorities justify his attackers.

“Three Kilometres to the End of the World” is directed by Emanuel Parvu, who is part of Romania’s New Wave, that is characterized by realistic, fascinating and well acted cinema. The film, which won the Queer Palm Award at Cannes, is a sharp and intelligent drama about family, corruption, courage and identity.
This is Romania’s nominee for the 2025 Academy Awards.

Please note: the film contains violence and depiction of non-consensual conversion therapy.

In association with the Embassy of Romania

Born for You

A film adaptation of a book by the same name, based on a true story.
We invite you to this moving new Italian film that is also very relevant to the current Israeli reality.

Luca Trapanese is a single Catholic gay man, who in 2017 wants to adopt Alba, a baby with Down Syndrome, who was abandoned at the hospital at birth. In the past, the Italian authorities have denied Luca’ requests to adopt a child or a baby. Alba was left at the hospital while 30 heterosexual families had rejected her. A meeting with a human rights lawyer encourages Luca to appeal to the court in hope they will agree to let him adopt Alba.
Today, thanks to the precedent set by Luca and Alba’s case, Italy allows single men to become foster families. Luca was the first single gay man in Italian history that managed to adopt a child. He didn’t do that to be a groundbreaker or to fight the authorities, he just wanted a family.

In 2017 TLVFest had screened an earlier film by director Fabio Mollo – “Il padre d’Italia”

Additional screening: Haifa Cinematheque, 9.11, 18:00

In association with the Embassy of Italy & PrideTV

Mascarpone: The Rainbow Cake

Italian director Alessandro Guida returns with “Mascarpone: The Rainbow Cake”– a sequel that doesn’t fall short from its predecessor.
Antonio and Luca reunite for the first time after three years since the death of their good friend Denis. Luca had to close his bakery, and now works as youth counsellor, with his partner Tancredi, at an LGBTQ youth shelter. Antonio focused on his job and meaningless flings, and is now a celebrity chef. The meeting reignites their special relationship and Antonio realizes, for the first time, what a mistake he’s made leaving Luca behind.
“Mascarpone: The Rainbow Cake” manages to surprise and be a mature film about how to free oneself from the shackles that tie us to the past, so that we can look forwards to the future. The cast is wonderful, the plot is moving and of course there are a few delicious baked treats.

It is not vital to watch the first film in order to enjoy the sequel.

Awards Ceremony & “Who Wants to Marry an Astronaut?

Awards Ceremony of the 2024 TLVfest hosted by Galina Port de Bras

Afterwards, screening of “Who Wants to Marry an Astronaut?”

A sunny featherweight romantic comedy.
David is a dopey hopeless romantic with a hippy mother and a best friend who also works for him.
After fifteen years of living together, on an impulse, he decides to ask his partner to marry him in Las Vegas. His anticipation for the dream wedding and trip is crushed when his partner’s answer is ‘No’. David decides to power through with his plans and now he has ten days to find the knight in shining armor that will marry him in Las Vegas.
The story is inspired by true events from the director’s own life.

In association with the Embassy of Spain

Who wants to marry an astronaut?

In association with the Embassy of Spain

Bad Education

20th anniversary of the film “Bad Education”

It has been 20 years since the debut premiere of “Bad Education” at the Cannes Film Festival – here is Almodovar at his most authentic, daring, trashy and full of love for the art of cinema. This movie, which is also a tribute to Film Noir, is all about schemes, forbidden desires, suspicions and erupting passions that ruin every good thing in their path.
This is Pedro Almodovar’s most personal film that is loosely based on his own childhood. Its script had been stashed away for a decade before Almodovar dared to shoot it.

Enrique and Ignacio, who went to the same catholic school where they discovered their sexuality and fell in love, meet 15 years later. One has become a successful film director, while the other is an actor that will do anything to make it big. Together they create a film about their experiences at the catholic school and the sexual abuse they’ve endured at the hands of priests, and about the revenge that is sure to come. But as Film Noir go, nothing is to be taken for granted.
Mexican film star Gael García Bernal (“Love Bites”, “Y tu madre tambien”) steps into the high-heeled shoes of classic Hollywood stars such as Barbara Stanwyck, Rita Hayworth and many other legends. This talented actor jumps from one character to the next, from one time period to another, and gives his whole soul to an amazing and unforgettable performance.

In association with the Embassy of Spain