Out in The Dark (2012)

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.