Out In The Dark

Synopsis:

Nimer, an ambitious Palestinian student in the West Bank, dreams of a better life abroad. One fateful night in Tel Aviv, he meets Roy, an Israeli lawyer, and the two fall in love. As their relationship deepens, they are both confronted with the harsh realities of a Palestinian society that refuses to accept Nimer for his sexual identity, and an Israeli society that rejects him for his nationality. When Nimer’s close friend is caught hiding illegally in Tel Aviv and sent back to the West Bank, where he is brutally murdered, Nimer is forced to choose between the life he thought he wanted and his love for Roy.

Quick Thoughts:

I absolutely LOVE “Out In The Dark”! Though I have to confess that there’s something appealing to me about migrant/foreign romance stories, perhaps because I’m a migrant myself. However the scene that’s set up here amid the Palestinian & Israeli conflicts alone sets a very powerful stage for any queer romance – definitely the setup for a queer thriller film. It’s a romance that is likely either to succeed despite facing such insurmountable difficulties – or one that will end tragically á la Romeo & Juliet. The cinematography is a bit rough and raw, but that gives the film even more of an edge that enhances the thriller aspect. This queer thriller film is one that you watch with full focus, not merely because most of us need the subtitles, but because it’s a powerful and captivating thriller & romance right until the end!