Out in the Dark

Out in the dark is Michael Mayer's first feature-length movie. A gay love story about two men having a romantic and sexual relationship in a very complicate environment, the dispute between Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East.

Set against the backdrop of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the film chronicles the cross-border love affair between ambitious Palestinian college student Nimir, who has a pass to travel to study in Tel Aviv, and an Israeli attorney, Roy. Though Roy is out of the closet, Nimir, who lives in the West Bank city of Ramallah, has kept his sexuality hidden from his traditional Muslim family.

Mayer said his inspiration for the film came from a friend who was volunteering at the gay and lesbian center in Tel Aviv and offered support to Palestinians who were hiding illegally.

Casting with: Nicholas Jacob (Nimr Mashrawi), Michael Aloni (Roy Schaefer), Jameel Khouri (Nabil Mashrawi), Alon Pdut (Gil) and Loai Noufi (Mustafa N’amna).

This film has won in:

• 2013 Toronto Inside Out Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival, Special Jury Award.
• 2013 Torino International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Audience Award.
• 2013 San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, Best First Feature
• 2013 Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Audience Award.
• 2013 Nashville Film Festival, Honorable Mention.
• 2013 Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Audience Award.
• 2013 Guadalajara Mexican Film Festival, Mayahuel Award.
• 2012 Haifa International Film Festival, Israeli Film Competition Award.

Maybe a modern variation of Shakespeare's Romeo, in any case an awesome and intense love' story in a real dramatic context.

Watch it, it's worth it!