Oriented is a documentary about several young men in their 20′s in Israel. Arab, and homosexual, and living primarily in Israel, they search the world for acceptance.
The men have different situations. Some have “come out of the closet,” as early as 15 years old, and another has not yet told his family his sexual orientation. One speaks to an LGBT community, and has published an article on the subject of sexual orientation. The men live together, work in similar fields, and attend and throw parties regularly together with other friends.
The cameras follow the men as they talk over cigarettes about being minorities, a great hope for peace, and how their families feel about them, how their communities feel about them.
A trip to Berlin marks a turning point in the documentary as the men feel free to express their sexuality in a parade. And they feel the burden of war lifted, at least temporarily.
Several other turning points are enjoyed in this documentary, which leaves the viewer asking questions about acceptance, and what it means to live a happy life, “really happy,” as one female character suggests. She tells her friend to not care what other people think.
These Arab men with Israeli passports at one point post a video online to receive a bad dose of “what other people think.” They laugh at the remarks. Perhaps the daily life of being an Arab, and living in Israel, and living as a homosexual against their families preferences have truly made them strong in unrelentingly and ultimately being happy, with each other, and with themselves, as best they can. A few snide Youtube comments within this documentary could certainly not change that.
