Out in the Dark

After watching dozens of gay themed films, I can easily spot a daisy among the grasses. And I genuinely believe it belongs to the latter, with "us against the world" love story. I WAS WRONG. This movie has wring my senses so much about LIVES of homosexuals in country with ruthless views of gay people. I am thankful that this movie was told to the world, captured beautifully, and created heavily in romantic drama. I would never look at gay movies again similarly after watching this. As for the title? I have zero idea what it meant until the last shot of the film. "OUT IN THE DARK". Brilliant title, amazing actors, riveting choice of hand-held camera angle.

Having an undergraduate thesis on gay people, I know gay rights are non-existence in Middle East, and other Arab/Muslim countries, but I have never walked, and looked, and be part of ones' life that this film has made me. It is painful and heart-wrenching, and sickening that these things are REALLY happening as we speak.

This movie is a must watch.

When I began watching this movie I didn't know anything about the story, I just knew it was a gay themed film. I will say that I have seen a great number of gay themed films so my only reference in this genre isn't the classic Brokeback Mountain everyone always praises about (which in my opinion is barely an average gay themed film, there are much better films out there that are less known). Out in the Dark belongs now to my Top 5 gay themed films and here are the reasons.

This film represents the reality and how gay people are seen and treated in Palestine/Israel. If you thought that in western culture being accepted as a gay person was a difficult process, it is million times harder if you happen to born in Palestine. This film isn't trying to be "the best film of the year" nor it doesn't have the most "intelligent" storyline, but it is about showing how things can differ from our (western) way of experiencing and seeing things. Out in the Dark takes the viewer to a trip to the streets of Palestine/Israel and shows those moments most Hollywood screenwriters would not add to the screenplay since they are not what the "screenwriting manual" tells you to write. This is also what makes this film so appealing; you are following a journey of a person as it happens, aka "live", without any editing tricks or plot twists taking place all over the film. During the film I was constantly thinking how this could end and if the film can retain that level of intensity during the whole film, it means the film is well-made. At the end Out in the Dark is a film about love and how strong love can be between two people regardless of their sex. The ending will certainly divide people whether they like it or not, but I would have personally loved to see more, but I will not tell more since I would otherwise spoil it for you.

Out in the Dark shouldn't really be compared to films like Brokeback Mountain since this has a completely different narrative mindset as a film. Brokeback Mountain is a classic Hollywood polished love story just made with well-known actors and a director, but I personally feel that Brokeback Mountain gets praised more than it should. Films like Shelter (2007) and Just a Question of Love (2000) are million times better than Brokeback Mountain and I would recommend them anytime for anyone who wishes to see a well-done gay themed film. Even though by itself Out in the Dark isn't in my opinion as good as these two I just mentioned, it is still best gay themed film when it comes to this type of films; films which represent reality as it appears in a current day. Brokeback mountain is simply a reality sugared with all possible drama elements when in Out in the Dark the main thing is not to go through the "beginning, middle and end", it's the part of the journey one person must take to survive.

I've just watched Out in the Dark at an international film festival in Germany and don't know what to say ... The film really did touch my heart quite deeply. The intense love story between an Palestinian college student and an young lawyer from Israel shows the insane and crazy political situation in that region in an so far unseen way. The two actors do such a great job that you get the impression they're living their own life and love right in front of your very eyes. Beyond the film does not only draw a dire, sad and sometimes shocking picture of that region (e.g. it shows perfectly and convincingly how difficult any kind of love between someone from Palestine and Israel is) but also conveys hope - and celebrates the unique power and connecting nature of authentic love.

If you want to see one of the best and most touching and dramatic love stories (be it gay, straight or whatever) go for it and watch that masterpiece! you'll remember it for a long time!

What's more, all that has been said is even more impressive taking into account that this is the director's first full-length movie. Wow and congratulations!

All the best from Germany!

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. Every performance was totally convincing, from the very natural and relaxed love scenes to the emotional and dramatic scenes demanded by the plot. There was no editorial prejudice regarding the gay relationship or the political situation; it was a love story, a family drama and a political thriller all in one - and every aspect was handled with intelligence and sensitivity.

I liked the use of darkness to illustrate the clandestine relationship and some of the more devious aspects of the plot, and I found it fascinating to see the difference between the families and homes of the two lovers.

I found this movie by turns moving and exciting, and it was wonderful to see some truly great acting from a cast of relative unknowns. My film of the year so far.

The film looks at the issue of homosexuality in a very humanistic way. It should be appreciated. "Out in Dark" also targets this very important matter that ordinary and innocent people are the main victims of political conflicts between the government. And also various governmental or militia agents who try to prevent two persons for loving each other instead of solving the main problems of the country.

Hopefully this film will have some effect in the Arab world which is quite harsh with homosexuals. It's quite sad that the mother of the younger gay in the film even does not want to talk to his son over the phone just because he is gay.

In General I think the film is a "must see".