Discrimination against LGBT people
is nothing new. They are discriminated and marginalized everywhere. Social
acceptance is still a myth and I think gay people have realized it also. They
have moved forward from social equality to social justice. They prefer to form
their own community and live aloof from the mainstream. So when I read a review
on the gay romance in circuit-Out in the Dark, I was expecting
something similar to The Weekend which I
cherish it as a great movie. It discussed in precise terms the reality of being
a gay in and out. The existential trauma of being a gay male and way forward in
the brutal reality of social discrimination. To a certain extent, The Stranger
by the Lake also provided me with same perspective on gay people forced to live
in duality and the insecurities thereon. It also gave me an idea on psychological
impacts resultant to their marginalization.
Out
in the dark, opens to a really difficult terrain where nationality, sexuality
and war meet and run nowhere near to solutions. Palestinian student Nimr falls in love with a Jewish
lawyer Roy in a Tel Aviv gay bar. Opening scene tells us that, he crosses
Ramallah boarder frequently to hang out in the gay bars of Tel Aviv. We meet
his openly gay Arab friend, Mustafa also. Nimr is a psychology student in Birzeit
University and hopes to obtain PhD from Princeton University US. We soon see
him obtaining a temporary Visa to visit Tel Aviv for academic purpose. He meets
his lover and we are given the impression that everything is fine. But when his
gay Arab friend, Mustafa is forcefully repatriated to Palestine and his kinfolks
murder him, we realize that the story is not easy. Especially when Nimr’s brother
is involved and Nimr also witnesses the murder helplessly.
Murder is the price for Palestinian
gay men. Sexuality is the first conflict. When Nimr is introduced to the
parents of Roy,the next conflict emerges-Nationality. When we see the hidden
arms in the basement of Nimr’s home, the next conflict comes out-war. Roy tries
for the solutions, but miserably fails. Adding
to the injury, Israeli secret services dismiss the temporary Visa. They offer
him Visa,if he can spy his people. Nimr’s condition further worsens when his family
traces out his secret sexual life in Tel Aviv. The events that follow show the
poor Palestinian boy desperately tries hard for being alive.
The movie poignantly follows their
pathetic plight and the pace it takes is completely justified. Its gripping and
hand held camera gives it a dramatic edge. Both the actors understand their
roles. Brutal reality of a boy having broken his family honour is manifested in
the desperate out cries of Nimr. He is excellent in that scene. But my only
complaint is both appeared to be reluctant lovers. Out in the Dark is a
thriller that is emotional, political and romantic. It’s equally strong and
upholds the spirit of life and love. See it.
