Poll: Should Film Festivals Boycott Gay Themed Israeli Films? (S.F. Frameline Controversy)

[RonanTheBarbarian]

Jingthing, I have a lot of sympathy for what you say in your first paragraph. Targetting individual artists is not the way to go I think. But it is hard to see what the other options are.

As regards your idea that "informational pickets" would be a better way to go, I remember that when an Irish pro-Palestinian group had a picket outside a concert where an Israeli orchestra were playing here in Dublin, they were accused of being "intimidatory", etc.

I have a feeling that only the most decorous of letters to the editor (and in an obscure publication at that) would pass muster as acceptable for the partisans on the other side of this issue.

Regarding the other hundred evil regimes, there is some truth in that. But only some - Israel is known around the World as an ally of the US (recipient of huge sums of US aid). Therefore what it does reflects on the US - and badly in many cases.

It matters not for the reputation of the US what Iran (or Syria or North Korea) do as everybody know they are enemies. Even countries such as Pakistan or Saudi Arabia are known to be allied to the US purely as a marriage of convenience. However, Israel and the US are best buds - the US claims that part of the reason it supports Israel is that it is the "only democracy in the Middle East".

Therefore,the US is claiming its support for Israel is based on democracy and an ethical foreign policy.

That carries certain expectations and obligations. And it seems not at all surprising to me Israel question loom large in the imagination of the American left, including the doughty lefty GLBT campaigners.

[Jingthing]

Excuse me, but I never said everyone has to or will agree with your informational pickets. I just think in this case that's a better way to than to either boycott gay Israeli films and/or suggest Frameline shouldn't take money from Israel when they're open to money from any other foreign government to support their worthy and always needy festival. Frameline isn't the bloody state department!

That all said, you've had your generic anti-Israel government speech, going way off the gay topic. If this is the direction this thread is going, just another general Israeli-Palestinian conflict topic, might as well close it.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Jingthing

[RonanTheBarbarian]

Well, in fairness, my generic anti-Israeli government speech (as you call it) was in response to YOUR generic "why are they all picking on Israel when there is loads more baddies out there " argument, which you brought in unprompted.

But this argument is turning into to a bit of a two person debate between ourselves , so perhaps letting it drop down the rankings would be a good thing unless there is some fresh blood to bring more perspectives.

[Jingthing]

Fine with me. I think this thread is played out anyway, no matter how you cut it.

[Jingthing]

I liked Yossi and Jagger but I'm sorry I can't be doing with beards

Yeah, I agree! BTW, there is a new film coming out this year called Yossi about Yossi later in life. Should be good! The musical one, Mary Lou, I also really liked.

Update: Yossi 2012 has been released!

[cdnvic]

Things like art and sport should be kept out of politics.

[Jingthing]

Things like art and sport should be kept out of politics.

I mostly agree, but I'm not sure that there aren't exceptions. Such as this, which I liked a lot:

[cdnvic]

Minor stuff like that is ok. I'm talking boycotts. Sometimes when things get a bit silly (cold war) sport and art is our only real communication between normal people. During the 70s when the cold war was filling us with propaganda, the first real Russians I ever met were visiting hockey players. Some of the first Canadians people in communist countries met were singers and actors.

[JemJem]

I voted 'no' !

No gay-themed films should be boycotted unless the films are anti-gay.

Many people are against the regime of Israel. Then again, many are against the regime of Iran. And, many are against the regime of China (the list goes on). Boycott of films just because many people are against the regime of the country of the films' origin is a silly, unfair and dangerous thing.

[tominbkk]

Watched Yossi and Jagger and then Yossi today. Nice films. See them if you can.

[Jingthing]

Not exactly on topic, but rather than start a new thread, there is some interesting Israeli film news.

Who doesn't know LUCAS of Lucas Entertainment? Porno empire.

Well it turns out Michael Lucas, apart from his porn success, is a dedicated Zionist and has just premiered a documentary at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival called: Undressing Israel: Gay Men in the Promised Land

Its a doc, not porn. But previously he did make the first all-Israeli/Jewish pornographic movie: The Men of Israel.

Anyway, a clip of the new doc: