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

   

Big Boys

An unexpected crush turns an innocent camping trip into a weekend of self discovery in this heartwarming coming-of-age film. 14 years old Jamie is one of those kids who are interested in French cuisine, first aid and reading the news. He’s very excited about the camping weekend with his beloved cousin Allie (Dora Madison, “Friday Night Lights”) and his annoying brother Will (Taj Cross, “PEN15”), but Allie brings along an unexpected surprise – her new boyfriend Dan. At first, Jamie is very disappointed by this addition that is going to steal the attention of his cousin, but then he slowly realises that Dan is actually a really nice guy – he can pitch up a tent and light a fire, he’s open to Jamie’s spice suggestions and enjoys playing the games Jamie is proposing. For the first time in his life Jamie starts to feel confusing feelings of falling in love.
Director/screenwriter Corey Sherman captures Jamie’s feelings in a reliable and moving way, and provides the audience with full and well-rounded characters. Isaac Krasner is very impressive in his first leading role (his next project is going to be next to Nicole Kidman). Also makes an appearance Emily Deschanel (“Bones”) as Jamie’s mother.

 

Under the Shadow of the Sun

Matko, a 42-year-old Ethiopian man, is released from prison 15 years after murdering his wife. He sets out in search for his only son who was two at the time of the murder. After finding out that his son supports himself through sex work he contemplates ways to help him.
This is a film about a man who feels that his fate was sealed in a moment and is now granted a second chance to redeem himself.

Till the End of the Night

Leni, who is serving time for dealing drugs, is being released from prison by the police in order to help Robert, an undercover detective, to gain the trust of Victor, local mafia head. Leni and Robert move in together as a couple and start attending dance classes alongside Victor and his partner. Leni is a transgender woman who had begun her transition while in prison while Robert is her ex and in fact the one who got her arrested. Leni hopes to succeed in her mission so she could leave Germany and Robert just wants to do his job. Past feelings are threatening to surface and put the fake couple’s life at risk.
Director Christoph Hochhäusler and his two excellent main actors create a portrait of a couple trapped in a loop that, if they don’t break, might choke them both.
Till the End of the Night” takes inspiration from Film Noir, and the witty script by Florian Plumeyer is keeping the viewers on edge with surprising plot twists. The film was nominated for a major award at the 2023 Berlinale Festival and has rightfully won his star, transgender actress Thea Ehre the Silver Berlin Bear Best Supporting Performance award.

 

No Matter Where

When Itay discovers that his girlfriend changed her name to Silver and is coming out as gender fluid, his world shatters, testing their relationship.
No Matter Where” is an intimate docudrama about looking for acceptance and home, bridging the magical landscapes of Italy with the desert background of Neot Smadar.


After the screening, Q&A with the creators.

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

   

Norwegian Dream

Director Leiv Igor Devold’s debut film is a surprising and heartwarming romantic drama that comes from the frozen shores of Scandinavia.
Robert is a young tough Polish immigrant. Ivar is the black and lively adopted son of a business owner. Along the lush coast of Norway these two young men are navigating issues of cultural displacement, economic inequality and sexual identity. In an effort to save his mother from debt, Robert takes on a taxing physical job in a salmon processing factory in the midst of a small immigrant community. Ivar, the owner’s son, is in charge of showing him around. Ivar is forced to devote his time to the family business, but has several other dreams – such as developing his talent as a drag artist. The two young men are so different from each other, but opposites attract and their friendship slowly turns into something more.

In association with the Embassy of Norway

Courtesy of

Mutt

מעורב

After going through a gender affirming surgery it seemed easier for Feña to just cut every tie to his past and start fresh. Dealing with the changes he’s been through was bad enough, not to mention his family’s reaction. But when he runs into his ex-boyfriend and gets a surprise visit from his father and his little sister, life forces him to deal with the past.

Mutt” is the debut film of director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz who creates a cinematic piece full of compassion, intimacy and honesty, taking us through the journey of a man who tries to reconcile his past with his present so he could have a better future.

A special praise goes to the cast of previously unknown actors, which makes the viewing experience a real joy. Above all others shines transgender actor Lío Mehiel as Feña.


The screening is in association with Project Gila & part of the earnings are a donation to the project.

Gila Project for Trans Empowerment (AKA Transgenders for Social Justice) was founded in 2010 by and for the transgender community. It began as an activist group working to change the lives of transgender people, with a focus on personal empowerment, advocacy for rights, and demanding access to resources and opportunities. The Project grew into a strong trans-led nonprofit that continues to uphold these values and goals, and works in the field of LGBTQ rights, human rights, and social justice.

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.

Drifter

22 years old Moritz is moving to Berlin to be with his boyfriend, Jonas. Jonas is a sexy photographer who prefers a non committal way of life and an open relationship.
Much to Moritz’s surprise the relationship ends and he’s left alone and broken. He searches for solace for his aching heart and finds himself making new friends, going to the gym, developing a sense of fashion and discovering drugs. Moritz is turning into a party animal and begins to act on his deepest desires.

Hannes Hirsch’s debut film describes a new beginning for an inexperienced young man in Berlin’s nightlife scene with sensitivity and authenticity. “Drifter” touches many subjects such as body image, fluid sexual identities and addictions. The film takes a deeper look into the world of the nightlife characters and exposes their vulnerability and layers.
Viewing is 18+ due to explicit sexual content and nudity.

In association with the Embassy of Germany