Gay israeli Film brings Gay Rights to the Forefront
By Jeff Elkus
I’ve been spending a lot of my time going to movies, with the writer’s strike ending many of the T.V. programs I enjoy. I’ve seen Juno, No Country for Old Men and Definitely Maybe-but perhaps the one I most enjoyed was in the comfort of my home-an Israeli film/documentary called “Yossi and Jagger.” Yossi & Jagger: The friendship of two gay soldiers in the IDF
The film is based on a true story and depicts the relationship between two gay soldiers (Yossi and Jagger) serving in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) on the Israel-Lebanon border. “Yossi and Jagger” was released in 2002 and directed by Eytan Fox and has won 9 awards in several different countries.
Watching “Yossi and Jagger” made me think about the award-winning American movie called “Brokeback Mountain” directed by Ang Lee about two gay cowboys sheep herding in the mountains of Wyoming. Although that movie opened my eyes to the treatment of homosexuals in secular society, I found it surprisingly refreshing to see how gay men are treated in the IDF. “Yossi and Jagger” affords the viewer an opportunity to get into the heads of both Yossi and Jagger to examine how they were treated on the front lines of battle at the Israel-Lebanon border.
Both Yossi and Jagger (who obtained the name because of his resemblance to American rocker Mick Jagger) are the leaders of the squad and decide to go for a walk together. Yossi and Jagger begin throwing snowballs at each other and eventually end up lying next to each other on the ground kissing. The camera work during the scene gives the moment added intensity, since the shot is extremely close-up to both soldiers. You can feel the passion. The squad back at camp has no idea that the two of them are gay, yet both obviously share a deep, romantic connection. The scene was emotionally gripping and particularly revealing of both characters’ personalities
Throughout the documentary-style movie, Yossi and Jagger go through several difficulties in maintaining their relationship without anyone finding out. First, Jagger is admired by a woman soldier who wants to date him and doesn’t know he is gay.
Another complication ensues one night when Jagger, who is more outwardly homosexual than Yossi, yearns for Yossi’s affection and wants him to quit the army and go away with him after the next day’s battle. Yossi quickly dismisses Jagger and tells him he must focus on the battle. Beneath all of his bravado, Yossi secretly wants to accept Jagger’s request, yet cannot bring himself to do it. By the end of the movie, it becomes clear that Yossi and Jagger are extremely close lovers, especially after the final, tragic battle.
The music soundtrack in the film is truly remarkable with Jagger’s favorite Israeli pop-singer, Rita, dominating most of the musical selections. The lyrics are fun and powerful at the same time. In addition, each soldier executes their role perfectly and shows that he or she is going through their own, distinct difficulties in army life.
Gay rights issues are important in both the United States and Israel, but each country has handled it differently. According to the United States Pentagon, the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy (the U.S. doesn’t currently accept openly gay soldiers) has been successful since launching in 1993; yet, in a 60 Minutes report by correspondent Lesley Stahl, it was discovered that 12,000 military men and women have been discharged for being gay.
In 1993, the Israeli military officially allowed gays and lesbians to serve in the IDF without regulations and in the highest military positions. It wasn’t until 1996 when the Israeli military allowed gay partners to gain benefits from fallen soldiers. The Israeli military is one of only 24 nations around the world to allow openly gay individuals to serve their country. Yet the major question is: how much longer will it take for more nations to accept people in the military regardless of their sexual orientation?
“Yossi and Jagger” is a masterful film that takes the audience on a roller coaster of emotions, while expertly getting its point across about how gay soldiers are “actually” treated in the IDF. If you are looking for a movie that will make you think and question your surroundings, “Yossi and Jagger” is one of the better foreign films around.
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