 |
 |
Jerusalem presents: Jewish Film Fest features fight for World Pride.
|
|
|
| | |
|
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
Jan. 16 – 27
www.ajff.org
‘Then She Found Me’
Jan. 18, 12 p.m.
Regal Atlantic Station
371 17th St.
‘Jerusalem Is Proud to Present’
Jan. 20, 4:25 p.m.
Regal Atlantic Station
GLBT Shorts Program
Jan. 20, 11:55 a.m.
Regal Atlantic Station
Jan. 27, 1:50 p.m.
Regal Medlock Crossing
9700 Medlock Bridge Road Suite 170
Jan. 27, 3:40 p.m.
Lefont Sandy Springs
100-152 Sandy Springs Circle NE
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| | |
HOME > SOVO SCENE > FEATURE
By: ROB BECK
COMMENTS |
| 
THE ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL is in the midst of its eighth year presenting films “examining Jewish life, culture and history,” according to festival organizers.
Among the more than 40 films over 12 days included in this year’s festival, running through Jan. 27 at multiple venues, is “Jerusalem Is Proud to Present,” an Israeli film documenting the struggle between conservative religious groups and the planners of the annual World Pride celebration, which was held in Jerusalem in 2006.
AJFF selection committee member Eric Miller says that though there is always a gay portion of the festival’s program, the committee has never felt the need to actively search out gay films. Rather, they are an organic part of the overall selection process.
“They rely on trade magazines, they rely on what other film festivals are showing, and they get submissions from filmmakers,” Miller says. “They haven’t had to actively look for a gay movie … but there’s a bottom line. It has to be a good movie.”
It’s a bottom line that “Jerusalem” finishes well beyond. Director Nitzan Gilady exhibits deft skill in crafting an engrossing tale documenting the efforts of Jerusalem’s Open House, the city’s gay resource center, to plan the 2006 World Pride celebration in the face of fierce religious opposition.
The story centers on the struggle to hold a parade as part of the festivities, and the efforts of Orthodox Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders to prevent what they call “the homosexualization of the Middle East.”
“It’s the Holy City, not the homo city,” drones one American man who travels from Brooklyn to Jerusalem to rally against the event.
Gilady's film excels at juxtaposing the two opposing unities that are born out of the struggle. “Jerusalem” presents the heretofore nearly impossible dialog between the area’s three prominent religions as that came together, in contrast to a Palestinian drag performer finding refuge among Israeli gays and lesbians in the city’s only gay bar. His farewell performance — he is forced to flee the country after Muslim religious leaders discover his homosexuality — is both emboldening in the sense of community that blossoms in face of persecution and heartbreaking at the sight of seeing it ripped away.
“You get the major religions all lined up. You’ve got the Orthodox Jews, the Muslims, and the Christians in a beautiful moment of unity, except that it’s wrapped around hating the homosexuals,” Miller says. “Here is an Israeli film about an Israeli problem.”
Rabbi Josh Lesser of Atlanta’s Congregation Bet Haverim attended World Pride 2006 and was involved in some of the events featured in the film, although he does not appear in it. Lesser hopes the film helps illuminate the uniting force of Israel’s gay and lesbian community.
“I don’t think people necessarily realize, but with all of the problems with Palestinian and Jewish relationships, the gay community in Israel and particularly in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is really a place where the communities come together,” he says.
“JERUSALEM” TAKES an honest and unflinching look at the difficulties gay men and lesbians face living openly in an intensely religious region, but it also offers moments of touching joy — the empowerment felt by the Open House leaders listening to its members describe why the fight for a march is a worthy one — and even dark humor.
“Since when do religious people know how to make Molotov cocktails?” quips an Open House volunteer upon receiving yet another anonymous death threat.
“The film tells a story, and there are villains and there are heroes,” Miller says.
Among the heroes are Noa Sattath, chairperson of Open House, who ably sums up why she endures death threats and constant political battles to help create a safe space for Jerusalem’s gay men and lesbians to celebrate their lives.
“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to live an honorable life,” she says.
“They’re going to like having seen it,” says Miller of the reaction he expects from the festival’s audience. “It does bring up sensitive issues, but it remains upbeat. It’s not a depressing movie.”
Lesser says the film will provide valuable insight into an important moment in history.
“For people who weren’t able to attend World Pride for whatever reason, this really will give them insight into such a powerful and brave encounter,” ...
|
