This sexy and sweet Israeli feature navigates past the region’s politics to present a film about two siblings searching for love and happiness while dealing with the Jewish mother from hell. Omer and Shirley are brother and sister living in Tel Aviv amidst different conundrums. Omer is looking for the man of his dreams, the quintessential Mr. Right, but all that’s turning up are Mr. Right Nows (not a prude, he enjoys himself in his fleeting encounters). Though the majority of these men prove emotionally unsatisfying, a few merit further thought. Take Danny, the sexy young dancer with no substance, or Ronen, the good looking writer who connects with him on the cerebral level. Choices, choices! What is a boy to do?Shirley isn’t in a much better spot. Trying to escape the constant pressures to marry, Shirley finds a love of the Sapphic variety when she gets involved with Michal, a sexy older woman who happens to own the most successful cafe in Tel Aviv and also happens to be her boss! Through it all their meddling mother Shoshanna freely gives her opinions andadvice, even when no one is asking. Antarctica is a fun film with enough eye candy to make the LA Daily News comment that “The sex scenes were so explicit it was almost enough to make me blush.” With this latest offering, Yair Hochner underscores that some of the most refreshing queer films are coming out of Israel. In Hebrew with English subtitles.

— Kareem Tabsch

Yair Hochner is an acclaimed Israeli film writer, producer and director. His latest film, Fucking Different Tel Aviv (2009), premiered at Berlinale 2009 to rave reviews. He wrote, produced and directed The Good Boys (2005). Antarctica is his second feature film.