About The Film
Having been barred from his conservative kibbutz in his wilder youth, Saar, a gay Israeli from a religious family, took refuge in London, where he lives and loves freely. Now 40, he’s has a good job, a loving boyfriend, and has found a supportive community and surrogate family in the London Gay Men’s Chorus, in which he sings. Saar still craves his family’s love, even while they struggle with fears and prejudices surrounding his life and HIV diagnosis. Torn between comfort and freedom in exile and moving back to Israel to reconcile with his religious family, Saar wavers between withdrawal and confrontation. A series of frank reunions with his gruff father, tearful mother, and righteous siblings in Israel and London illustrate the misunderstandings and ignorance that led to their estrangement, even as each side professes their love and desire to be closer. Performances by the chorus enhance this tender, honest, and intimate film by acclaimed directors Barak and Tomer Heymann (PAPER DOLLS, SJFF 2007; LADY KUL EL ARAB, SJFF 2008; ALMOST FRIENDS, SJFF 2015; MR. GAGA, SJCC 2017) about the powerful pull of home, no matter how far we stray. Winner of the Panorama Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2016 Berlin International Festival.
Pre-film Performance by members of the Seattle Men’s Chorus (10 min)
Directors Bio
Barak and Tomer Heymann have collaborated on nearly 20 documentary projects, and are regarded to be among Israel's top filmmakers. Barak is Co-Director of WHO'S GONNA LOVE ME NOW.
Special Guests
Founded in 1979, Seattle Men's Chorus is an internationally-respected music organization and, along with Seattle Women's Chorus comprises the largest LGBTQ choral organization in the world. In addition to its annual performance series in Seattle's Benaroya and McCaw Halls, SMC has performed in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, Westminster Hall in London, and around the world including concerts in Germany, Australia, Spain, New Zealand, The Netherlands, and Canada.
The Chorus has performed with special guests such as Debbie Reynolds, Harvey Fierstein, Megan Mullally, Rosemary Clooney, and Kristin Chenoweth. SMC's voices transform society through innovative and entertaining programs that build community, illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ people and their allies, expand inclusion, and inspire justice
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Barak Heymann joined the Heymann Brothers Films Company in 2003 and has since directed and produced several documentary films and series. Heymann Brothers Films is an independent Israeli company dedicated to the release of documentaries on the social aspect of the Israeli/Jewish culture. Prior SJFF films include PAPER DOLLS, STALAGS, LIFE IN PICTURES, LADY KUL EL ARAB, MR. GAGA and many more. With brother Tomer, the two are prolific producers and directors of Israeli documentaries. Their film MR. GAGA, about Batsheva Dance Company's charismatic choreographer and artistic director is currently in theatres around the world. Barak will introduce and do a live Skype Q&A after the film. View filmography on imdb.com | Heymann Brothers Films official website
Moderator Sara Michelle Fetters is the editor-in-chief of Moviefreak.com, the lead film critic for the Seattle Gay News and a founding member and co-host of the popular Cinema Squabble podcast. She's been writing about film professionally since she was 14, getting her start at the Spokesman Review while still in high school. She also eats a lot of tacos.
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Film Details:
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Director: Barak Heymann, Tomer Heymann Country: Israel/UK Language: English & Hebrew w/subtitles Running Time: 85m Year: 2016 Genre: Documentary
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Subjects:
- Gay/LGBT
- Religion
- Family relationships
- HIV
- Music
- Israel
Rating/Warning: PG-13
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Sponsors
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