A still from the film showing violent protesting against the 2006 World Pride March.

Making its New England premiere recently at the Wasserman Cinematheque at Brandeis University, Jerusalem is Proud to Present, written and directed by Nitzan Gilady, tells the story of the World Pride March in 2006. Jerusalem was presented as part of the National Center for Jewish Film’s 11th Annual Film Festival, which included movies from France, Germany, Sweden, the U.S. and, of course, Israel. The film won the “Movies that Matter Human Rights Award” at the International Documentary Festival in Amsterdam, the “Outstanding Documentary Feature Award” at the OUTFEST Film Festival and the “Audience Award” at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

Jerusalem opens in New York City in 2005 as advertising begins for the 2006 World Pride March in Jerusalem. The majority of the movie contrasts conversations and statements between the gay community planning the march and a sect of the Orthodox community combating it. The statements by the gay community are made by the organizers of the march and by other members of the gay community, including Adam Russo, who was stabbed by a religious fanatic at another march, and Boodi, a Palestinian who leaves the West Bank to come to Shushan Bar (a gay bar in Jerusalem), where he can freely express his sexuality. Later in the film we learn that Boodi must flee the country after Hamas discovers he is homosexual and marks him for dead.

During this time of tension between the ultra-Orthodox and gay communities, the film reminds us of the other struggles in Israel. A press conference to promote understanding of the march is postponed due to the kidnappings of Israeli soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. The march is eventually canceled out of sensitivity toward the war with Hezbollah. But even this is misconstrued by the far-right religious leaders. Rabbi Yehuda Levin, a Brooklyn rabbi who heads up the anti-march campaign, goes so far as to say that “leading rabbis in Israel have stated that the Lebanon war is a direct result of Israel tolerating homosexuals.” And during a women’s meeting against the march, another claims there will be more than a march and that the gay community will “have orgies and 500 partners a year.” 

A few of the scenes are during Jerusalem city council meetings, where the mayor gets up and leaves because he does not want to hear the request of the legal advisor to support the march. A group of women stops cars and taxis, asking people to sign a petition against the Pride March. “Use any means necessary” and “do not fear jail” are the instructions on signs to the ultra-Orthodox from their leaders. The march is referred to as a “spiritual rape of the city” by Rabbi Levin.

Following the film screening there was a panel discussion with campus clergy Rabbi Elliot Kaplowitz, an Orthodox rabbi and a member of the Jewish Learning Initiative at Brandeis, and Father Walter Cuenin, along with professor Maura Jane Farrelly and Birthright representative Matt Lebovic. During the panel, the members discussed how disturbing it is to see people of different religions brought together by hate, and they all agreed that the movie presents a problem with religious extremism. Rabbi Kaplowitz commented that he thought the movie should have “included more nuanced approaches” and “shown there is a balance” and that not all people, or even Orthodox Jews, are as intolerant as the movie shows.

The movie does fall short on this account. Though Israel is amongst the most progressive on the issue of gay rights, this film portrays Israel and its citizens as hating the gay movement and having no tolerance toward it. The comments from the Orthodox community come mainly from Rabbi Levin and other members of the ultra-Orthodox sect. The movie does not interview any members of more progressive Orthodoxy or any non-homosexual, non-Orthodox community members, providing a very limited view of Israel’s stance on gay rights.

Overall, the cinematography of the film is very personal, with mostly close-ups of the people, though there are some wider shots to show larger areas and spaces. The film includes an overwhelming amount of distraught, hopeless and posed-looking shots of the members of the planning committee, with quiet, sad music filling the background. Scenes of violence sparked by the ultra-Orthodox community are all very dark with underlying dramatic music.

While the film does an excellent job of portraying the intolerance, bigotry and violence from the ultra-Orthodox community, it is weakened by its lack of perspective. More viewpoints from non-extremists would have strengthened the film, taking away some of its didactic feeling and giving a better portrayal of mainstream Israeli views toward the homosexual community.

Lily has a passion for reading and directing Shakespeare, writing and social action. She loves spending time in the outdoors and nature, though she hardly considers herself a hippie. She’s also a member of the JVibe Teen Advisory Board.