The Israeli Boys might just be our favorite so far in NQV’s effort to bring the best of LGBTQ+ shorts themed by geography. First it was The Danish boys, focused on a Scandinavian sad songs playlist. Then came the touching Latin Boys, who probably deserve a bit more coverage as tiny Denmark gets a whole edition. This time, in Israeli boys, the theme is honesty and we can’t turn our corrupt heads away.
Three
Written and Directed: Lior Soroka
Cast: Tom Chodorov, Asaf Peri, Or Asher, Gil Naveh
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? In a long-term relationship with a gorgeous, successful artist, who requests a threesome with the beautiful nude model who has inspired his new exhibition? Just like buses you wait for one perfect guy and then suddenly another one is right behind you. For the sad singles who have not sipped at this horn of abundance this short does a surprisingly good job of capturing the awkwardness, insecurity, and inevitable misdirection of feelings that ensue. Despite the wish fulfilment scenario these actors’ eyes manage to say everything, including ‘be careful what you wish for’.
A Trip to the Desert
Written & Directed:by Nizan Lotem and Lior Haen
Cast: Lior Haen, Elad Herman, Yossi Maman
Thin slices of conversation capture a set of friendships as they fall apart. Wandering in the desert (it is about Israelis after all) three friends are faced with the revelation that the love they had for each other cannot overcome the distance that has grown between them. It is a powerful framing of the raw and messy moment when they all must travel in different directions.
Rubber Dolphin
Written & Directed: Ori Aharan
Cast: Chen Hefetz, Omri Laran
Honesty peaks in this intimate and explicit night of talking and sex. The no holds barred conversation about condoms, preferences. positions, and sexual history includes the almost too shocking moment when one guy willingly gives his phone password to the other. Is there nothing these guys aren’t brave enough to do? It turns out that there is.
Stav
Written & Directed: Michal Haggiag
Cast: Danielle Chamelnik, Toar Israel
A young volunteer is charged with corralling a 17 year old non binary person caught up in the casual street trading of sex for money. Out of her depth she tries to be there for someone who is overly familiar with both sides of manipulation. Haggiag achieves an unvarnished and compelling reality by avoiding the easy drama of a tragic climax.
After His Death
Written and Directed: Lior Soroka
Cast: Adi Bielski, Levana Finkelstein, Kim Gordon, Ori Lachmi
Following the death of her father a light is thrown on the generational differences in attitudes towards sexuality. The uneasy compromise of her father’s accommodative marriage to her mother whilst having a male lover sits in opposition to her own public relationship with her girlfriend. Even after death the sounds of their tip toeing is deafening for her.
Leave of Absence
Written and Directed: Moshe Rosenthal
Cast: Uri Klauzner, Michal Bernstein, Tal Blankstein, Chen Hefetx, Ben Heine, Yoav Rotman
The subtle quirkiness of the final short is beguiling. There is no reference to sexuality yet it hangs in the air throughout. What could have become a creepy story of an old male teacher spending an evening at a pool with his ex-pupils manages to work as a fleeting polaroid of the regrets of lifelong conformity. Is this the start of a less predictable life for him or just a temporary leave of absence from his old one? It works because the question is raised rather than answered.
Out now on VOD expect more geographical editions to come from NQV. It’s an accomplished curation so far with a great mix of emotional and conceptual, familiar and fresh. If they are looking for some inspiration Queerguru has a bucket list ready.
Review by Andrew HebdenQueerguru Contributing Editor ANDREW HEBDEN is a MEDIA & CULTURAL STUDIES graduate spending his career between London, Beijing and NYC as an expert in media and social trends. As part of the expanding minimalist FIRE movement he recently returned to the UK and lives in Soho. He devotes as much time as possible to the movies, theatre and the gym. His favorite thing is to try something (anything) new every day.
