By Lisa Goldman
Film review: 'We are Palestine, we're here and we are queer'
Unlike previous films made about gay Palestinians in
Israel, ‘Oriented’ is not about Jewish saviors trying to protect
Palestinians from political or social repercussions.
Three men in their mid-twenties are gathered at a Tel Aviv apartment,
preparing to go out to a dance party at a popular Jaffa bar called Anna
Loulou. Speaking in Arabic laced with Hebrew expressions and the
occasional English phrase, they warm up with vodka and grapefruit juice
as they sprawl on the couches, talking and listening to music . Will
there be Jews at the party? asks one of the young men. Yes, answers
another. There will be some. But they’re leftists. They support us.
They’re not coming to sing “Viva la Occupation.” The third says, with
heavy irony, “Right, they’re coming to save us.” All three men laugh. “Our saviors,” they say.
