Israel
Language: Hebrew, Arabic
2006
115 minutes
Director: Eytan Fox

One of the most extraordinary films of this year, The Bubble is the stunningly moving story of a gay romance between an Israeli and a Palestinian in Tel Aviv.

From life partners Eytan Fox and Gal Uchovsky (the creators of Yossi & Jagger and Walk on Water) comes another stirring and memorable tale of forbidden love between a Palestinian and a Jewish man. Remarkable and erotic, The Bubble is as much a love song to the filmmakers' urbane Tel Aviv neighborhood as it is a gay romance and a plea for peace. The denizens of fashionably hip Sheikin Street's boutiques, galleries and cafés feel as if they are immune to the bloody conflict that has raged in their region for centuries. Lulu (Daniela Virtzer) shares a flat with Noam (Ohad Knoller, whom fans will recognize instantly as Yossi) and his sometimes boyfriend, Yali (Alon Friedman). The peace of their shared lives is shattered when Noam is drafted into the army reserve for his mandatory service. At a contentious border crossing, a Palestinian woman gives birth on the ground while fierce rifle-wielding Israeli soldiers stand guard. Helping the woman is Ashraf (Yousef 'Joe' Sweid), a hot Palestinian whose eyes catch Noam's during the tense drama. Later, the two men meet secretly in Tel Aviv and begin a very dangerous affair. They fall desperately in love against all odds, stealing time for lovemaking whenever and wherever they can. The two lovers get Lulu and Yali in on the clandestine affair, and they help the Palestinian stay in Tel Aviv by giving him a Hebrew name and a job at the café that Noam runs. The four become involved in the anti-occupation movement, but their bubble of peace is destined to be broken by forces of violence. After only three feature films, director Fox has climbed to the peaks of international cinema with this playfully sexy and emotionally stirring film. -- Scott Cranin

  

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