Bubot Niyar (2006)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Tomer Heymann

Writer:

Tomer Heymann (writer)

Release Date:

26 October 2006 (Israel)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

There are no promises in the promised land

Plot:

Paper Dolls is a documentary film by award winning filmmaker Tomer Heymann about a group of transvestite...

Plot Keywords:

Transvestite | Israel | Elderly | Filipino | Lesbian Interest

Awards:

5 wins & 1 nomination

Directed by
Tomer Heymann

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Tomer Heymann		writer

Produced by
Stanley F. Buchthal	....	producer
Gonen Glaser	....	producer
Andrew Herwitz	....	associate producer
Tomer Heymann	....	producer
Claudia Levin	....	producer
Daniel Miran	....	producer

Original Music by
Eli Soorani

Cinematography by
Itai Raziel

Film Editing by
Lavi Ben Gal

Sound Department
Alex Claude	....	sound designer
Israel David	....	sound re-recording mixer

Editorial Department
Steve Sebban	....	on-line editor

Production Companies

• Claudius Films
• L.M. Media (co-production)
• Film Sales Company, The
• Heymann Brothers Films

Distributors

• Frenetic Films (2006) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Strand Releasing (2006) (USA) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Film Sales Company, The  funding

Also Known As:

Paper Dolls (International: English title)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA | Israel | Switzerland

Language:

Hebrew | English | Tagalog

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Tel Aviv, Israel

Company:

Claudius Films

Through different eyes

Paper Dolls was the opening film of the 2006 Jewish Film Festival in Amsterdam and was received with great enthusiasm. The story is of a group of Filipino migrant workers - rejected for being gay and transgender in their homeland - imported into Israel to care for elderly Jewish men and women, whose families could or would not care for them. The stark contrast between the old religious rabbi and his effeminate Filipino caretaker is just one of the many unlikely images that remain in your memory after seeing this film.

Important as well is the subject of migrant workers, usually coming from developing countries to fulfil a role in developed countries that no one else seems to want to fulfil. Be it caretakers of the elderly or factory workers or garbage collectors, the developing countries seem to think they can import and export people at will, without recognizing our common humanity, needs and skills.

The short but poignant everyday scenes where the elderly are being nursed or cared for will strike a chord of recognition in anyone who has ever cared for a sick or infirm friend or relative. The unlikely friendships that develop with the elderly are set off by the drag shows that the Filipino performers give on their day off. Director and four of the cast members were present and the Paper Dolls danced and sang for us in Hebrew and English, all dolled up and giving their utmost.

Kudos to all those involved in this most sensitive look at Israeli society through different eyes. It is a must see for any of us who have ever felt like outcasts in any society.