Based on a true story, director Eytan Fox’s Yossi & Jagger tells of a love affair between two Israeli army officers serving on the border between Israel and Lebanon. Commanding officer Yossi (Ohad Knoller) is a career officer, reticent in manner, deeply concerned for the men and women in his squad. His second-in-command, Jagger (Yehuda Levi), is far more relaxed about being gay. Coming to the end of his national service, he wants Yossi to leave with him. The necessity of keeping their affair secret adds to the claustrophobic tension of life in the bivouac, and when catastrophe strikes, the pain is compounded by the secrecy imposed upon them. Yet this is not just a heart-breaker, it’s also a testament to human resistance and often very funny – witness the squaddie making sushi out of the disgusting military rations. Touching, sexy, sensitive and authentic, this is a festival must-see. (Israel, 2002. English subtitles. Colour. Dolby stereo SR. 65 mins.)