June 16, 2011 | 6:37 pm

Jewish Films at Outfest 2011

Posted by Kalil Cohen

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Outfest: The 29th Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has three fantastic feature films by Israeli filmmakers, two in Hebrew from Israel, and one written and directed here in the United States.  All three films are going to be fantastic events, with filmmakers and community collaborators from Los Angeles in attendance!

Israeli Filmmaker Eldar Rapaport returns to Outfest with his first feature film, AUGUST.  Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Eldar moved to the US in 1991 to attend Emerson College in Boston.  This year at Outfest he is being featured as part of the ‘4 in Focus’ program, which celebrates a talented new wave of filmmakers who have just finished their first feature films.

August, plays Sunday July 10th at the Director’s Guild of America.
What if the ex-boyfriend you never quite got out of your system moved back to town in the middle of a heat wave? That’s what happens to Jonathan, when his sexy ex Troy returns to L.A. during a particularly sweaty summer. Jonathan falls quickly back into bed with Troy, but will this steamy summer fling pull Jonathan away from his smoldering Spanish lover Raul? Find out in this sensual melodrama that will have you sweating along with its stunning protagonists. Buy Tickets Here

Two Israeli films in Hebrew to check out at Outfest are Joe + Belle and Mary Lou, both Sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles.

Joe + Belle, by Veronica Kedar plays Sunday July 10th at the Laemmle Sunset 5.
Things get very complicated very quickly when Joe, an angsty drug dealer, meets Belle, a buoyant suicidal psychopath, in this dark comedy. After an outlandish accident in Tel Aviv leaves the pair with a body to dispose of, they embark on a madcap journey to lose the cops - and end up finding love in Sderot (the target of ongoing rocket attacks). Gritty but tender, JOE + BELLE offers an absurd portrait of life in contemporary Israel. Buy Tickets Here
This screening is co-sponsored by JQ International Women, and with special thanks to El Al for helping to bring the filmmaker to LA for this screening!

Mary Lou, by Eytan Fox and Shiri Artzi, plays Sunday July 10th at the Director’s Guild of America.
What MAMMA MIA! did for ABBA, MARY LOU does for Israeli pop sensation Svika Pick. Meir grows up obsessed with his mother, who left them on his tenth birthday. As a teen, he and his best female friend fall for the hot new boy in school, and as the three friends reach adulthood, Meir’s yearning for his mother - and his elaborate drag performances - both bring the trio together and tear them apart. This latest film from Eytan Fox (THE BUBBLE, YOSSI & JAGGER) is funny, moving and packed with catchy tunes.Buy Tickets Here
This film is co-sponsored by Beth Chayim Chadashim, Congregation Kol Ami and JQ International Men, all of whom will have representatives in attendance at the screening. This is a great chance to get connected with these fantastic organizations, in addition to seeing a wonderfully entertaining film.