Neil BakerThe Israeli Boys is now available to rent or buy on Vimeo and Prime Video
The beauty of short film collections sits within the diversity of themes and ideas brought to the screen, and with The Israeli Boys, this not only challenges cultural and societal barriers but also generates discussions around modern gay relationships and sex. Each of the six shorts provides the viewer with a new perspective on gay culture, gender identity and masculinity in Israel, and while some films are stronger than others, the journey is stunning.
Opening the collection is Three, directed by Lior Soroka. Here the challenges of opening up a relationship to a third party take centre stage when twenty-something Udi agrees to go along with his partner Nimrod’s proposal to have a threesome. Udi struggles to accept the idea until he meets Or, his partner’s artistic muse. Lior Soroka also brings us the beautiful After His Death. Following the recent loss of their father, his children discover a secret male partner who was kept silent for decades.
A Trip to the Desert, written by Nizan Lotem and Lior Haen, takes us on a hike with three best friends. But on a trip designed to be a fun escape, secrets and announcements will test the bonds of friendship as the interface between religious belief, friendship and sexuality are tested. Rubber Dolphin, directed by Ori Aharon, sees two men find more than just sex in each other’s arms following a casual meet as the heat of desire leads to debates on sexual roles, relationship goals and intimacy.
Stav, written by Michal Haggiag, follows a young trans man working the city’s streets, while Leave of Absence, written by Moshe Rosenthal, explores masculinity from the perspective of an ageing teacher whose passion for life has hit the buffers of older age.
