An evening with filmmaker Nitzan Gilady

Every family has problems; whether children find their parents annoying or a divide between various member’s viewpoints. For Israeli Filmmaker, Nitzan Gilady, he filmed and produced a documentary of his family’s experiences to show audiences around the world.

Gilady presented his acclaimed LGBT-themed documentary, entitled “Family Time”, for University of Rhode Island students on Monday night in Swan Auditorium.

“After making nine documentaries, I wanted to make a film that had a focus on myself and that showcased my family,” Gilady said.

Gilady explained that “Family Time” was his most difficult documentary. The film showcases Gilady’s family and himself traveling from southern California all the way to the Grand Canyon. In a small crowded RV, emotions ran high between Gilady and his family. In the film, the audience can see Gilady’s conservative father express his worry for the future of his children.

Gilady’s father worries for his youngest son, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, fearful for his middle son who left Israel years prior, and struggles to accept that his oldest son (Gilady) is gay. Throughout the ride, Gilady’s mother tries to keep the family at peace and together.

“Preserving the family unit is essential so we can help each other,” Gilady’s mother said during the film.

Gilady didn’t come out to his parents until the age of 35. He explained that he always knew that he was gay, but he just couldn’t come out to them based on their beliefs. When he was 35, Gilady ended up running away to New York City because he couldn’t face his parents for who he was. He said that if it wasn’t for the outing of his secret, he’d probably still be far away from his family.

In the film, Gilady tries to have a family discussion about why his father still does not fully accept him for being gay. His father explains that he believes Gilady should see a doctor and that he’s just mentally ill. Gilady explained that this film really changed his family for the better. Although his father had said those words to him, he later confessed that they were said out of anger.

“Despite the potholes and obstacles my dad sees us facing, I know we are all almost perfect,” Gilady said.

During a Q&A session, members of the audience had the chance to ask Gilady questions about his film. One student asked if Gilady faced any discrimination as a filmmaker who is gay and comes from an Israelite family. He responded that, luckily, he did not have to face any discrimination as a filmmaker, but explained that sometimes in his country people judge without knowing.

“We still as LGBT will have to fight to educate others,” Gilady said.

Gilady’s previous film, “Jerusalem Is Proud to Present”, was winner of Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary at Melbourne Queer Film Festival in 2009. Currently, he is finishing up his first fictional film, “Wedding Doll”, which showcases a young woman who is slightly disabled but wants to be married and independent with the son of a toilet factory.

For more information about Gilady’s films, visit http://www.giladynitzanfilms.com/?page_id=136/.