Jonathan Agassi, one of the world’s most successful gay porn stars, splits his time between Berlin and Israel. Agassi built his fame and success on what is globally considered a taboo, yet still pleases millions around the world. This film offers a rare and intimate look at the world of porn and escorting, as well as at unique relationship between a mother and son who courageously redefine familiar family concepts. This is a film about a lonely person who seeks love and meaning, but is condemned to a destructive lifestyle, understanding that the extreme fantasies he chases are not necessarily his own.

Director: TOMER HEYMANN
Producers: BARAK HEYMANN, TOMER HEYMANN
Cinematography: ADDIE REISS
Additional Cinematography: TOMER HEYMANN, JONATHAN AGASSI
Editing: TAL RABINER, ALEX KHOSID
Sound designer: ITZIK COHEN
Original Score: MATAN DASKAL, ALBERTO SHWARTZ
Theme song: INBAR HEYMAN

With the support of :
CHANNEL 8 – ISRAEL/MAKOR FOUNDATION FOR ISRAELI FILMS

“A quantum leap in the work of one of Israel’s leading documentary filmmakers”

Uri Klein, Haaretz

“A bold, impressive and exciting cinematic puzzle” 

Avner Shavit, walla.co.il

“Certainly will not leave you indifferent” 

doctalk.co.il

“The most extreme and daring documentary you will ever see”

Gili Izikovich, Niv Adas, Haaretz

“A rewarding film experience.”

TimeOut Israel

PRESS LINKS

4 September 2018 Haaretz: “Up Close and Personal With an Israeli Gay Porn Star” Film review (Israel, English)

26 August 2018 TimeOut Israel: “The fall of an Israeli porn star” Film review (Israel, Hebrew)

2 August 2018 docktalk.co.il: “Sex, drugs and documentary filmmaking” Film review (Israel, Hebrew)

Best Documentary and Best Editing – Jerusalem Film Festival, Israel, July 2018

Special Jury Award – Atlanta Film Festival, April 2019

Best Documentary – Outview Film Festival, April 2019

Best Director Award – Qfest Houston, USA, July 2019

Best Feature Documentary – GAZE International LGBT Film Festival Dublin, Ireland, August 2019

Grand Prix Award (The Warsaw Golden Phoenix 2019) – Jewish Motifs International Film Festival, Poland, September 2019

Ophir Academy Award for Best Documentary, September 2019 (Israeli Oscar)

Jury Award for Best Documentary – Reeling 2019: The 37th Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, October 2019

Best Documentary – Santo Domingo Outfest, November 2019

Audience Award  – KOQIX INDIE Film Festival, Italy, April 2020

• IDFA
• CPH:DOX
• Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
• BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival
• Dublin International Film Festival
• Vilnius International Film Festival
• Millennium Docs Against Gravity Film Festival
• Doc Edge
• Biografilm Festival
• Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival
• Helsinki International Film Festival Love & Anarchy
• NewFest New York LGBT Film Festival
• Kassel Dok

“I met Jonathan Agassi on the streets of Tel Aviv. Our paths crossed here and there, and I felt envious whenever I saw him – envious of his freedom, of his wild choices. I insisted on continuing seeing him. When I approached him because something about him intrigued me, he smiled his charming, crafty smile and said, “Pleased to meet you, my name is Yonatan Langer”.

From the little information I had about him, I knew that he was an internationally successful porn star, that he had millions of fans all over the world, and that the porn films he starred in were sold and watched by millions of people that were dying to meet him.

Finally, when he agreed to meet me, he adamantly refused to be the hero of the film, and said that his mother would never agree to be exposed in a film that told the whole truth. I found out that he was a giant star, admired all over the world, and that his films were sold by the millions.

When I saw him again on one of his visits to Israel, as his career in Berlin was skyrocketing, and asked his consent to meet his mother, he said, “If you can convince my mother to be in the film, I’m in too”. He added, “My name is not Yonatan anymore. My name is Jonathan Agassi, and you should know that this persona – Jonathan Agassi – saved my life”.”

– Tomer Heymann