GAYLETTER

Israeli film director Eytan Fox is a true gem. His pioneering gay films, like ‘Yossi and Jagger,’ ‘Marylou‘ and now ‘Cupcakes‘ have done much to better the social landscape for homosexuals in his home country and abroad. His latest installment, Cupcakes is premiering at the New York Jewish Film Festival on January 16. Set in a 1970’s suburb of Tel Aviv, Cupcakes tells the joyous light hearted tale of a group of friends who enter the Eurovision song contest representing Israel. The group consisting of five diverse woman and one gay male nursery school teacher (Ofer Shechter) unwittingly get sucked into a professional entertainment vortex of stylists, producers and choreographers who attempt to force their concepts on the troupe.

A battle ensues and the group stays true to their grass roots ethic and all comes out well in the end. Even though Eytan made a “feel good” movie this time around the film still delivers an insightful moral commentary on Israel in the 70’s and by comparison also the present day. Thankfully Eytan took a minute to answer some pointed questions and shine a light on his persona and work in cinema:

Was the teen reporter job on the TV show for the IBA (Israel Broadcast Authority) your first professional
 step into entertainment? If yes describe the experience. Yes it was. My best memories are from the 1979, Eurovision song contest that was held in Jerusalem. I was Just a young boy at the time. I felt so lucky to be surrounded by all this international glamour — all around me were singers and dancers I could interview like a “real journalist.” I almost had my first gay experience there too when a member of the German group asked if I wanted to come up to his room. Of course I did not. I was only fourteen.

What was your first homosexual experience? He was very sweet, a class mate my age. I invited him over when my parents were abroad. It was very very innocent.

Did you have sex with any army officers? Are you into uniforms? I had a very significant relationship with one of my army officers. It was a big love story that continued throughout my army service. I learned most of what I know about relationships from him including sex. He left Israel immediately after we finished our service, I haven’t seen him in many years — I miss him. I’m not really into uniforms.

What is your relationship to your mother like? My mother died 11 years ago. She was a very meaningful figure in my life, and as adults we became real intimate best friends. She also loved Gal (my partner) and he loved her very much, we spent a lot of time together.

Describe in some detail what a “Banana” is, the original title for ‘Cupcakes’? It’s an old fashion slang word for a Girl. “Bananot” in 70’s Hebrew would translate as a bunch of girls doing girlie things. It’s a fun innocent word.

How does ‘Cupcakes’ a seemingly joyous romp, relate to your more serious 
prior films? I think I have these two worlds in me. The one that makes serious relationship movies and the one that makes gay colorful musical fantasies. My graduation movie from Tel Aviv University was “Time Off,” a small 45 minute film describing a subtle relationship between men in the Israeli army. It was the first Israeli movie showing homosexuality in the army — the shrine of Israeli masculinity. I went off to make my first feature length film ‘Song of the Siren‘ a light romantic comedy about a Tel Avivien Carry Bradshaw character torn between 4 different men during the 1991 Gulf war.

How does the gay community in Israel relate to your work? I think that in the past a gay movie was a bigger deal for the community here. Audiences found my films more difficult to handle. That changed, I’m proud to say I was one of the people who made this happen. Today there are so many gay characters everywhere including on Israeli network TV. Regardless people still embrace my movies so I am blessed in that sense. I am thrilled that my films have crossed over and reach audiences all around the world. As far as I am concerned it’s all about starting a dialogue and keeping it going. It’s a long term relationship that I am afraid to admit, after 25 years with the same partner, I hardly know any other option.

Have you ever had to conceal your relationship with a man in Israel similar 
to the concealment portrayed in ‘Cupcakes’? Yes. The relationship I mentioned in the army was impossible to expose at the time. I am so proud that now there are many stories like this that are completely out and accepted.

What do we have to look forward to from Eytan Fox in the near future? My next movie is my biggest to date. It is a biopic about Mike Brant, a beautiful Israeli man who becomes a superstar singer in the 70’s in France. He killed himself at the age of 27. It’s a great story about a great singer. I am making this with my dear friend the producer Alain Goldman who Produced ‘La Vie en Rose‘ the wonderful film about Edith Piaf.

‘Cupcakes’ is playing at the Walter Reade Theater on January 16, at 8:30PM. Click here for tickets.