What it’s about
Organizers of TLVFest, the Tel Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, have announced that the documentary “The Belle from Gaza” will open this year’s festival. The film highlights the lives of Palestinian transgender individuals who have escaped Gaza to find freedom in Tel Aviv. The festival is set to take place from October 31 to November 10 at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque.
Why it matters
This documentary shines a light on the harsh realities faced by transgender people in Gaza, contrasting it with the safety and richness of life they find in Israel. It emphasizes Israel’s role as a sanctuary where individual freedoms, including those of transgender people, are respected and upheld.
Details
Directed by Yolande Zauberman, the film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. While some activists may advocate for causes like “Queers for Palestine,” this powerful documentary illustrates the life-threatening challenges Palestinian transgender people face in Gaza and how Israel offers them a place to live freely.
In “The Belle from Gaza,” Zauberman tells a tale that began during the filming of a previous movie in Israel. The film follows the director’s search for a trans woman originally from Gaza, leading to the discovery of a hidden yet fascinating world—the Palestinian transgender community in Tel Aviv.
Significant voices
One of the documentary’s main protagonists, Talleen Abu Hanna, along with Zauberman, will be present at the festival’s opening night. Yair Hochner, the founder and director of TLVFest, expressed pride in showcasing this film, calling it “one of the most beautiful, smart, sad, and funniest films screened last Cannes.” According to Hochner, the film “introduces the brave, smart, and emotional voices of trans women living on the fringes of Israeli society.”
Additional highlights
Alongside the documentary, the festival will honor two distinguished entertainers for their contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. Eliot (aka Ellyott), a pioneering female Israeli singer within the indie/pop scene, and Hana Laslo, the first Israeli actress to win the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival, will be celebrated for their ongoing support of the LGBTQ+ community in Israel. Laslo will soon portray Dr. Ruth Westheimer in an upcoming biopic.
Festival outlook
The full festival program will be announced shortly, promising an exciting lineup that underscores Israel’s cultural inclusivity and robust support for the LGBTQ+ community.
This story was first published on jpost.com.