Duration: 49 mins
Queens of Joy
In the heart of the horrible war in Ukraine, three drag queens- Diva Monroe, Marlene and Aura refuse to abandon their homeland. Instead of running away to safety they choose to fight- for freedom, the LGBTQ community and for themselves.
From the glamour of the show to the cruelty of war, the film follows their lives- full of loss and fear but also unvanquished bravery.
Marlene is dealing with old wounds, Diva Monroe finds herself again and Aura is fighting for her place, both in the army and on stage. The charity drag show they organise for support of Ukraine becomes a symbol of unity and strength.
This film is a story of self-discovery, love, hope and the strength to find happiness in the darkest times.
Velvet Vision – The Story of James Bidgood
“Velvet Vision” is the story of director/photographer James Bidgood, whose beautiful 60’s beefcake photos were different from all the others. They depicted homo-erotic fantasy scenarios dipped in vibrant colors, and pushed the boundaries of the genre. His film “Pink Narcissus” who he had worked on for many years came out in 1971 without a credit for his maker after Bidgood quarreled with the producers. The film became a cult phenomenon when people were positive it was either Keneth Anger or Andy Warhol who were behind it. It was revealed almost twenty years later that the one behind the film was one of the most influential photographers of the time.
“Velvet Vision” follows Bidgood’s attempt to go back to photography after a forty year break, this time for fashion designer Christian Louboutin. In front of filmmaker Bart Everly, Bidgood reveals all about his past as a window dresser, a drag artist and a costume designer. This is a film about social ostracism or about a man who chose to be an outcast and be lonely even if he doesn’t really want to, it’s a film about the fine line between genius and madness, fantasy versus reality.
“Velvet Vision” is a complex piece that explores the inner and outer world of a brilliant artist whose one-of-a-kind art still influences generations of filmmakers, fashion designers and photographers.
Sally
Sally Ride was the first American woman who went to space, but under the amazing career she kept a secret. Sally had a romantic relationship with a woman for 27 years.
For the first time Tam O’Shaughnessy, Sally’s partner, reveals their secret affair and the price they had to pay so that Sally could fulfill her career.
Director Cristina Costantini brings to the big screen the unbelievable story of Astronaut Sally Ride and gives us a glimpse of her life outside the headlines in the papers and the talk shows Sally appeared in- her journey outside of earth’s atmosphere and the landing back into very conservative USA of the 80’s and the sexist and LGBTQ-phobic environment of NASA.
The film reveals the love story of two fascinating women, and the legacy that Sally Ride left that inspires many girls and women to dream of the stars and beyond.
Courtesy of Disney+
It’s Dorothy!
Since her first time in Oz 125 years ago in Frank L. Baum’s classic “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” Dorothy Gale was in numerous films, TV shows, theatrical productions and has become an icon in American culture. Her legacy lives on to this day.
The film “It’s Dorothy!” is a moving documentary experience that expertly weaves the story of Dorothy’s journey to Oz with those who had played the iconic character- from Judy Garland to Diana Ross and more.
Jeffrey McHale, who had already proved his worth as a documentarist in the film “You Don’t Nomi” on the cult film “Showgirls” created a documentary that manages to provoke thoughts and bring to light new insights on Dorothy’s immortal character. He digs deep into archives and tells the story of how Dorothy became such a lighthouse of optimism, empowerment and hope. The film, naturally, addresses the question as to why Dorothy’s journey and character became a symbol of the LGBTQ community.
Last Exit Gran Canaria
Director Tim Lienhard comes from a Catholic background, growing up in southern Germany. It was quite later in life that he had found his calling and became a provocative Drag persona and performer. At the age of 64 he mostly celebrates life with men decades younger than him. His journey goes from Berlin through the Torremolinos Porn Festival and the Pride week of beautiful Gran Canaria. In Costa Del Sol Lienhard meets OnlyFans content creators, party goers who came from all over the world to experience the freedom they cannot at home, and also people his own age who tell him their past and present adventures.
Identity, sexuality, growing old and self esteem are the main motives of this daring and exabitionist documentary film. Tim Lienhard manages to leave an impression with his shameless openness and is the inspiration for sexual freedom in this time of conservatism and regression.
Escape to Life: The Erika and Klaus Mann Story
Inspired by the story of Erika and Klaus Mann- the author Thomas Mann’s LGBTQ children, this film tells the story in the voices of Vanessa and Corin Redgrave of those two talented people.
Erika and Klaus Mann’s life seemed magical, two privileged children of a famous author who became successful artists of their own merit at the roaring 20’s in Berlin. The two were significantly involved in the movement of sexual release and indie theatre and Erika Mann even played in several films such as “Mädchen in Uniform” which is considered to be one of the first ever lesbian films.
Erika and Klaus Mann were forced to leave Germany with the rise of the Nazi movement and raging fascism, as two Jewish descendants queers. They fled to the USA and found themselves having to deal with being fugitives and foreigners. Erika became a much sought after celebrity while Klaus became addicted to drugs.
In association with the Embassy of Germany
Pride vs. Prejudice
While the rights of the LGBTQ community are being attacked worldwide, this moving Canadian documentary emphasizes how one community fought and won. 2025 marks the 20 th anniversary of the Canadian marriage equality law, something that was made possible due to the supreme court ruling on the Vriend case. The film also emphasizes how important a free and unbiased court is.
Delwin Vriend never wanted to become a human rights activist or a LGBTQ activist, he just wanted to live his life in peace. When he objected to the fact that his academic work of place let him go due to his sexual orientation, he began a chain reaction that affected the lives of LGBTQ people not only in Alberta or Canada- but worldwide.
“Pride vs Prejudice” delves into the backstage happenings of one of the most important trials in LGBTQ history- Veriend vs. Alberta. For a fascinating 80 minutes the film describes the ups and downs and twists that led to the trial.
This documentary follows the work of the dedicated lawyers who led the trail against the province of Alberta and eventually led to a groundbreaking verdict of the Canadian supreme court in 1998.
In association with the Embassy of Canada
My Boyfriend El Fascista
Set against the backdrop of the magnificent Alps “My boyfriend El Fascista” tells the true story of Matthias, a left-wing film director and his partner Sadiel, a Cuban immigrant, an idealistic social activist with endless energy to fight the fascist communist regime in his homeland of Cuba.
Sadiel is facing the disappointment that his home country refuses to embrace democratic values and that the left-wing parties of Italy support the communist regime in Cuba. As a result, he has an ideological shift towards right-wing beliefs, which causes a rift between him and Matthias, since Matthias tries to stay loyal to his progressive values.
Through the lens of Matthias’ camera, an intimate portrait is created that captures the relationship between the two partners and the way political views can affect personal relationships and sexual ones.
In association with the Embassy of Italy & Italian Cultural Institute in Tel Aviv
The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival
Please be aware – the screening at 27/10/2025 is NOT in Tel-Aviv Cinematheque.
Tamara De Lempicka was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century- a mother, a feminist, a style icon and a proud bisexual woman who celebrated her sexuality. Lempicka fled the war and became a symbol because of her artistic view. She embodied the spirit of Art Deco and painted high society women from a feminine perspective, erotic and daring and full of passion. Encouraged by her grandmother, young Tamara was discovered as a shining talent when she combined cubism, classicism and surrealism in order to reinvent the female form- not as a sexual object, but as a heroine.
In her fascinating documentary, director Julie Rubio dives into the colorful biography of De Lempicka and uncovers her unusual life with never before seen home movies. The result is a thrilling movie about a fascinating artist and woman.
In association with the Polish Institute Tel Aviv
