Good Boys 2006

 

This was the official website for the 2006 film, Good Boys.
Content is from the site's 2006 archived pages as well as other outside sources.

 



Good Boys - Yeladim Tovim - Yair Hochner
Winner of Jury Grand Prize -Feature Film image+nation International LGBT Film Festival, 2006 Montreal, Canada.
Winner of OUTstanding Emerging Talent Award Outfest 2005 - Los Angeles.
Winner of the Showtime Vanguard Award

Rating: NR
Genre: Art House & International, Documentary, Drama
Directed By: Yair Hochner
In Theaters: Jun 3, 2005  wide
On Disc/Streaming: May 15, 2007
Runtime: 75 minutes

 

Screened with English subtitles. 75 minutes.
Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over.

17-year-old Meni wears only the most fashionable clothes, interested in music, loves the cinema and works as a rent boy. He had a baby from Mika, a young drug addict prostitute. He has an adoptive mother who is also a trans-gender prostitute and clients that contact him on his cell-phone. One night he meets Tal, also a hustler and they decide to spend the night together. During that night their lives get a new meaning, but can the little hope change the life they are used to from early age? In the morning they decide to meet later at the club. Until the awaited meeting, both of them will have to deal with their weary routine of clients, marginalized people and unexpected events.

 

17-year-old Meni wears only the most fashionable clothes, interested in music, loves the cinema and works as a rent boy. He had a baby from Mika, a young drug addict prostitute. He has an adoptive mother who is also a trans-gender prostitute and clients that contact him on his cell-phone.

One night he meets Tal, also a hustler and they decide to spend the night together. During that night their lives get a new meaning, but can the little hope change the life they are used to from early age?

In the morning they decide to meet later at the club. Until the awaited meeting, both of them will have to deal with their weary routine of clients, marginalized people and unexpected events.
 

Daniel Efrat, Yuval Raz
Painting by Rafi Perez

"With candor and documentary simplicity, writer-director Yair Hochner conveys the danger and loneliness of the urban sexual underworld and the fragile bonds that develop among people who can express anything but love." Albert Williams, Chicago Reader

"Yair Hochner captures the grittiness of these young, vulnerable lives in a film that is surprisingly raw (especially for an Israeli film) and even a bit erotic" - Gary M. Kramer, Philadelphia Gay News

"Hochner wisely offers hope in lieu of resolution, overcoming the limitations of his amateur video look" Shaun Brady, City Paper, Philadelphia

"Good boys" is rigorous intense film. The word 'excruciating' fails in comparison to the events presented in it. It is almost as if the dirty aesthetics, the unbearably tormented stories and the excellent acting come together to push the audience down to the gutters it portrays while instilling a hopeless wish for the sun to shine on the protagonists.
Aharon Kashles , "Globes" Magazine

Good boys succeeds where other, far more costly films often fail - creating a credible, valid and moving world.
Liat Simon - Kids: Yair Hochner's Good Boys -
Contemporary Israeli Gay cinema between Amos Guttman and Eitan Fox.
"Maarvon" - New Israeli Fim Magazine

"Good Boys is the great surprise of Israeli cinema this year"
Review of Israeli films, Rita Koren, Israel Broadcast Association

"'Good Boys' is a courageous piece of filmmaking, a remarkable personal project that does exactly what an independent movie should do: not be a mainstream movie and please everybody, and not appeal to the general taste. I value the honesty and dedication that were put into this film..."
- Yair Ravee, "Pnai Plus"

"'Good Boys' is a film that you cannot ignore and the shivering you feel while watching it will remind you" - Dvorit Shargal - "Rating"

"'My Own Private Idaho' in Tel Aviv...An impressive piece that succeeds thrilling and touching the audience. Excellent!!" - Avner Shavit, "Ha-ir"

"Loved its humanity, the Tel Aviv Cinematheque did well to screen it" – Amir Kaminer, "Yediot Aharonot"

"Gila Goldstein in a strong and heart-rending guest appearance" - Ina Michaeli, "Achbar Ha-ir"

"Succeeds in conveying authentically and horrifyingly the feelings of alienation and loneliness of two young male prostitutes" - Rita Koren, Israel Broadcast Association

"This Israeli indie film achievement - its daring. " - Meir Shnitzer, Maariv

"Personal and interesting cinema" - Iris Lakner, iwoman

 

TOMATOMETER AUDIENCE SCORE 83%.

 

**** Mikael S
March 5, 2009
Irritating Camera
Interesting Story
Not so good acting

+++

**** Martijn W
November 5, 2008
Very raw movie lots of sex and with a strange ending.....

 

 

ACTORS
    Daniel Efrat (Menni)
    Yuval Raz (Tal)
    Nili Tzerruya (Mika)
    Ori Urian (Eran)
    Tomer Ilan (Lior)
    Gila Goldstein (Grace)
    Dvir Bandak (Pimp)
    Benni Eldar (Daniel)
    Danni Lachman (Old Client)
    Mor Deri (Intelectual Client)
    Eyal Harel (Shlomo - client)
    Zoe Mor (Mika's mother)
    Motti Dvir (Minister of Public Security)
    Michael Hamel (First Client)
    Yuval Dushi (Baby of Menni and Mika)
    Dana Balalti (A girl in the store)
    Idan Bosian (Drug Dealer)
    Yuval Gerstner (Client B)
    Eitan Reuven (Neighbour)
    Roi Hasel (Client B)
    Statists - Endi Fledbau, Dan Donklblum, Matan Balalti, Yaron Mager, Or Shimonov

 

Daniel Efrat
Graduated Talma Yalin Art high school and Bait Zvi school of stage arts.
Participated in the following musicals: "Hair", "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat", "Blood Brothers", "Pajama Games", "Mika Sheli". Took part in the TV series "Hamachon". Played in the musical "Chicago", the Beit Lesin theatre's exclusive production.

Yuval Raz
Graduated Talma Yalin Art high school and Nisan Nativ Acting Studio.
Participated in the following plays: "Troy War Will Not Be", "The Crucible", "Rendezvous Hotel" and the original play "Machazemer". Took part in TV series "Hachatzer". Currently a young actor in Israel National Theatre "Habima".

Nili Tzerruya
Graduated Bait Zvi school of stage arts.
Participated in the following plays: "Elizabeth Queen of England", "The seagull", "Richard the Third", "Britanicus", "The Fox", "Crazed with Love", "Three Days of Rain", "Red Balloon", "A tale about a Bowl and a Ladle", "The Dresser", "The Woman in Black".

Gila Goldstein
An Israeli gay icon; she is one of the first three trans-genders in Israel. She is a former football player, ballet dancer and cabaret performer.
She also performed in "Bar 51", a mythological gay bar and in several clubs. She participated in the film "Pere" and in a music video, and has been a guest on several TV shows.

Danni Lachman
Born in 1941.
Wrote with Amos Gutman the script for the film "A Safe Place" and the script for the short film "Nagua". Edited the soundtrack of both films.
In the eighties he founded the "White Line" for AIDS and with a few friends established "The Comity for War against AIDS".
In the year 2000 he established a support center for sexually assaulted men. Writes articles and critiques in "GoGay", an internet magazine.

 

 



Daniel Efrat


Yuval Raz


Dani Lachman, Daniel Efrat, Yuvl Raz


Daniel Efrat, Yuval Raz


Yuval Raz


Nili Tzerruya, Yuval Dushi


Daniel Efrat, Nili Tzerruya, Yuval Dushi


Yuval Raz, Ori Urian


Gila Goldstein


Daniel Efrat, Mor Deri

 

 

More Background on GoodBoysFilm.com

GoodBoysFilm.com is the official website dedicated to the 2006 Israeli film Good Boys (original title Yeladim Tovim), directed by Yair Hochner. This website serves as a comprehensive digital resource centered on the film, its thematic context, cast and crew, and critical reception. Over the years, it has evolved from a promotional portal to an archival and academic reference, reflecting the film’s enduring cultural and cinematic significance.

Ownership and Development

The site was originally created to promote Good Boys around its initial release era. It is closely tied to the filmmakers and production team, ensuring authoritative and detailed information about the film. Later, the website became part of an academic archive when it was archived for use in a university-level International Cinema course taught by Dean Heller. The archival process, including content research and technical development, was managed by Linda Swinden, a digital marketing specialist recognized for her innovative promotional work. This transition positioned GoodBoysFilm.com as a valuable educational tool alongside its ongoing cultural relevance.

Popularity and Audience

Although not a mainstream commercial website, GoodBoysFilm.com holds significant popularity within film studies circles, LGBTQ+ cinema enthusiasts, and viewers interested in Israeli and international independent films. Its inclusion in academic syllabi has broadened its reach, introducing the film's themes and aesthetics to new generations of students and cinephiles worldwide.

Geographic and Cultural Context

The film Good Boys is Israeli in origin and focuses sharply on the marginalized lives within Tel Aviv's urban underworld, highlighting themes of sexuality, identity, survival, and hope. The website conveys this context vividly through synopses, critical analyses, and cast biographies, situating the film within both Israeli society and the global discourse on LGBTQ+ cinema. The movie prominently features English subtitles, facilitating international accessibility.

Film Synopsis and Content on the Website

Good Boys tells the story of 17-year-old Meni, a stylish and music-loving rent boy who navigates a harsh reality marked by prostitution, drug addiction, and complex family dynamics. With a transgender prostitute as an adoptive mother and clients who reach him via cell phone, Meni's life intersects with Tal, another hustler. Their shared experiences over a pivotal night illuminate themes of loneliness, survival, and fleeting hope amid marginalization.

The website includes detailed narrative descriptions, reflecting not only on the plot but also on the emotional landscape and social issues the film portrays. The focus is on conveying the authenticity and rawness of these young characters' experiences in Tel Aviv’s urban environment.

Cast and Crew Highlights

GoodBoysFilm.com offers profiles of key cast members:

  • Daniel Efrat (Meni): A graduate of Talma Yalin Art High School and Bait Zvi School of Stage Arts, Efrat has a rich theatrical background, including musicals like Hair and Chicago.

  • Yuval Raz (Tal): Also a graduate of Talma Yalin Art High School and Nisan Nativ Acting Studio, Raz is an actor with a strong presence in Israeli theatre, including the Israel National Theatre.

  • Nili Tzerruya (Mika): Known for her extensive stage work in various significant plays.

  • Gila Goldstein: A pioneering Israeli transgender icon and performer, Goldstein contributes a compelling presence to the film, linking its narrative to broader LGBTQ+ cultural history in Israel.

Additional cast members and crew are profiled with attention to their professional contributions and relevance to the film’s narrative and production.

Awards and Critical Reception

Good Boys received considerable acclaim, winning:

  • Jury Grand Prize at the image+nation International LGBT Film Festival in Montreal, Canada (2006)

  • OUTstanding Emerging Talent Award at Outfest, Los Angeles (2005)

  • Showtime Vanguard Award

Critics praised the film for its unfiltered portrayal of marginalized youth and the gritty reality of urban sexual underworlds. Reviews highlight Yair Hochner’s documentary-style direction, and the film’s emotional intensity and authenticity have been emphasized by numerous reviewers:

  • Albert Williams of the Chicago Reader noted the film’s candid simplicity in depicting loneliness and fragile bonds.

  • Gary M. Kramer of the Philadelphia Gay News described it as raw and surprisingly erotic for an Israeli film.

  • Israeli critics praised its courage, honesty, and innovative approach to storytelling within Israeli and queer cinema.

The film holds an 83% audience score on the Tomatometer, reflecting solid viewer appreciation.

Press and Media Coverage

GoodBoysFilm.com curates a selection of critical quotes and reviews from Israeli and international media, emphasizing the film’s cultural impact. It includes coverage from reputable outlets such as Globes Magazine, Maarvon (New Israeli Film Magazine), Israeli Broadcasting Authority, and major newspapers like Yediot Aharonot. These excerpts reinforce the film’s reputation as a groundbreaking independent project that resonated with audiences and critics alike.

Goals and Cultural Significance

The website articulates the film’s core goal: to illuminate the difficult realities of youth on the fringes of Israeli society, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. By doing so, it challenges stereotypes and invites empathy and understanding.

Beyond mere storytelling, Good Boys and its website contribute to the social dialogue on sex work, gender identity, and marginalization. The film stands as both a cultural milestone in Israeli independent and queer cinema and an important vehicle for social awareness.

Reviews and Audience Insights

Audience reflections archived on the site reveal a spectrum of responses ranging from appreciation of its raw narrative to critiques of its cinematic style. Comments often mention the film's intimate portrayal of harsh realities, with some viewers attracted by its honesty and others challenged by its uncomfortable themes and visual style.

Design and User Experience

While currently preserved in archival form, the website was originally designed for accessibility, with intuitive navigation allowing visitors to explore all facets of the film: story, people, awards, and reviews. The inclusion of artworks, such as paintings by Rafi Perez, enriches the visual experience and deepens engagement with the film's aesthetic.

In summary, GoodBoysFilm.com is much more than an official movie webpage. It is a vital node in the cultural ecosystem surrounding Good Boys, offering insight into Israeli queer cinema, the struggles of marginalized youth, and independent filmmaking. The site’s evolution from promotional platform to academic resource underscores the film’s lasting importance. It is especially valued by scholars, students, and cinephiles seeking to understand the intersections of art, identity, and social issues in contemporary Israeli culture.

 

GoodBoysFilm.com