A personal note form Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA 2014 Finalist

Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA 2014 Finalist supports the South African Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Out in Africa – South African Gay & Lesbian Film festival

I like to share a great movie experience I had over the weekend. Go and support the South African Gay & Lesbian Film festival.

For me it’s important to support this Film festival. Encourage more of these movies to be made and support these filmmakers. Above all I find it so refreshing to view non-Hollywood style movies, movies that mostly come from the heart, movies with meaning and most importantly, movies most of us can relate to in some way or another.

If you have not seen it yet, I highly recommend watching “Out in the Dark”, one of the many movies being screened during this years SA Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Synopsis: "As if being gay wasn’t enough of a hindrance, imagine being Palestinian and in love with an Israeli. In his multiple award-winning feature début, Mayer delivers a gripping tale of love that both comments on, and uses the backdrop of, Israeli-Palestinian politics to great effect. Nimr has a student visa allowing him to continue his psychology studies in Israel, but the nightlife also beckons. Sneaking across the border from Ramallah, dodging police patrols, he heads for the gay bars of Tel Aviv, and meets the sexy Israeli lawyer, Roy. Their ‘true love’ is threatened by the reality of the political situation, and while Roy is naïvely comfortable and safe, Nmir is dangerously at risk. Threatened by the Israeli security forces, his brother’s political activities, and the dishonourable consequences his sexuality has for his family, Nmir is forced to make uncomfortable choices. The cinematography, music and editing all contribute to an edgy, urgent drama of star-crossed lovers."

This movie touched me, particularly as I could relate to many of the challenges these two lovers had to endure. It reminded me that no matter what the situation, most gay guys still face very challenging issues:

Living their true lives in secrecy,

Being afraid of disclosing that they are gay,

Being sceptical about true love,

Having to deal with discriminating, violent and sometimes lethal influences / circumstances while they try to find themselves, build a life for themselves and find love.

Go check out the trailer for this movie: http://youtu.be/gErm0kGBTMQ

Social, traditional, political and religious influences that make being gay, so challenging, frustrating and sad at times, however this is exactly why we need to be proud of who we are. Try our best to survive these challenges in the belief that things will get better…which they do!

As a Finalist for Mr. Gay South Africa 2014, I would like to say to everyone out there, young or old who find themselves facing such challenges, DON’T EVER GIVE UP! Keep fighting, believe in yourself and know that you are perfect just the way you are. Don’t ever stop dreaming of the life you desire as a gay man or lesbian woman.

Click on the link below for the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival schedule and make sure you go see some of these amazing movies:

http://www.oia.co.za/schedule/