Thursday May 24, 22:00, grote zaal

Paper Dolls

When the second Intifada began, Israel closed its borders to workers from Palestinian territories who had taken the country's worst-paid jobs. Among those who came to Israel to work as caretakers are Philippino gays and transgenders. They decided to leave their homeland in search of a better life; some had been cast out of their families because of their sexual orientation. They look after elderly, orthodox Jewish men whose daily lives they share. Many of these caregivers develop warm, personal relationships with their employees. Once a week, they perform the drag queen act Paper Dolls in Tel Aviv. What started out as a playful meeting of director with the Dolls became a serious film that questions discrimination and racism while portraying the strong bond and love between the transgender Philippinas. Winner of Audience Prize at the Berlinale Film Festival 2006.
Tomer Heymann, Israel/Switzerland 2005, documentary 80', 35mm, in Hebrew and Filipino, English subtitles