When the film “Yossi & Jagger” was made nine years ago, it captured what was then a nightmare for “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” supporters.
Set at the Lebanese-Israeli border, the film explores military life for Israeli soldiers on the frontline. Despite harsh weather conditions and the tension of possible battle, love blooms for two of the men (title characters) stationed at an outpost.
Their discreet affair is presented as a psychological study of how very different men – one more comfortable with his gayness and planning a future together than the other – maneuver through a potentially life-and-death, homophobic situation that one fears mirrors life outside the army. The story doesn’t end well.
Spoiler alert: The title of the sequel that will be screened tonight as the opening-night Cinema Diverse film is simply “Yossi.” Now a doctor in Tel Aviv, Yossi is a closeted and lonely man trying to cope with his personal loss until he meets a group of soldiers who re-ignite his passion for life.
It seems a fitting, albeit unplanned, tribute to the repeal of ban on gays in the military (DADT), which marks its one-year anniversary today.
“Yossi” will follow the short film “Mariquita,” which follows the antics of a 10-year-old boy in Miami, Fla., who announces to his family that he’s gay. The screening begins at 7 p.m. at Camelot Theatres, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs. Tickets are $13.
Cinema Diverse continues through Sunday with about 23 features and many short films. For the full schedule of films and after-parties, go to www.cinemadiverse.ning.com