| ABOUT THE FILM | WHO'S WHO | SCREENINGS | PRESS | REACTIONS | RESOURCES | HOW TO HELP |
| TREMBLING
BEFORE G-D Screening And Discussion Outline: (time estimates are rough) Note that the film itself is 84 minutes and the Special Features are three additional hours. One possibility is a two-part discussion, to devote one week to the film screening and a following week to discussing the Special Features. 1. Set-up (come at least 30 min. beforehand): • Technical screening equipment (sound, color, use) • Seating arrangement • Confirm expectations and tech. details with contact person 2. Introduction: • Present Trembling • Introduce yourself (explain facilitator's role) • Meet your audience 3. Clarify goals: • Viewing the film • Understanding and assisting troubled youth • Allowing the audience to hold a serious and honest discussion • Raising questions and not necessarily solving them • Creating an opening for future conversations 4. Suggestions for creating a safe and open space: • Turn off cell-phones • Listen to one another • Do not attack each other • We agree to disagree • Private information stays inside this room 5. Screening : 84 minutes. • Advise that film is sometimes intense and overwhelming • Notice the audiences' various reactions throughout the film 6. Optional: have each member of the audience jot down their initial reaction to the film (a feeling, scene/character/quote, question etc) : 2-5 min. 7. Discussion: • Round of initial reactions (emphasize emotions, allow everyone a space to voice their feelings) : 20-25 min. • *Theme-based conversation: discuss issues raised in earlier round. Additional ideas: reflect, ask key questions, give examples from film, tell stories. Focus on relevance of issues to their families : 30-40 min. • Summarize and look forward: thank the audience, remind them of the goals and limitations of the conversation, encourage continued discussion : 5-10 min. 8. Finishing up: • Discuss your experience and impressions with fellow facilitator and with contact personThemes and issues often raised during post-screening discussions: About the discussion itself: • Why should we talk about this? • Talking = legitimizing? • "Why is this pain so special and different? Is it?" • Why is this a threatening issue? • Cultural differences/similarities (did you identify with the film?) • What can be done? • What is our role as parents and friends? • What supportive resources exist? About the gay experience and its consequences: • Shame, depression, loneliness • Teen suicide (statistics and risk-factors) • Teenage development • Familial relations: parents, siblings, children: what does family acceptance mean? What is the experience of the parents? • Married gays: what does it mean to be closeted? What is the experience of the straight partner? • Your society: macho-ism, traditionalism, patriarchy? • Is there a difference in experience between being gay and being lesbian? • Aren't there "happy" gay people? • Homophobia Sexuality: • Factual information, statistics on % in population • Is it a choice? • Is there a sexual orientation spectrum? Is there a homosexual act or identity? • Sexuality in relation to intimacy and relationship • Can sexual orientation be changed? • Pride, publicity, politics • Gender stereotypes The religious aspect: • Why do they stay Orthodox? • Theological questions: why did God create and prohibit homosexuality? • What is the relationship between "mishkav zahar/penetration" and other sins? • Could Halacha/Jewish law change on this issue? • Marriage, P'ru U-r'vu (procreation) • Containing paradox, living with doubt questions • The relation between the Halachic/Jewish law standpoint and the community's standpoint Related and relevant issues: • Living with difference • What is your "red-line," your line of acceptance? • Anti-Orthodox stereotypes • The complexity of faith • Family relations (parental expectations) • Tension between authenticity/self fulfillment and loyalty to others' expectations and demands |