Snails in the Rain
| Snails in the Rain | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Yariv Mozer |
| Screenplay by | Yariv Mozer |
| Story by | Yossi Avni Levy |
| Starring |
Yoav Reuveni Yehuda Nahari Yariv Mozer |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 85 min |
| Country | Israel |
| Language | Hebrew |
Snails in the Rain (Hebrew: שבלולים בגשם Shablulim BaGeshem) is a 2013 Israeli drama film. Set in the 1980s, the film revolves around Boaz, a beautiful linguistics student, who receives love letters from an unknown man, which undermines his sexual identity and threatens the stable relationship with his girlfriend.
Production
Casting
Snails in the Rain was the first time director Yariv Mozer had the task of directing other actors. In order to better understand and master this challenge, Mozer decided to act in the film himself, taking on the role of Professor Richlin. Mozer studied under esteemed acting coach Ruth Dytches in preparation for this role.
Yariv Mozer states that he wanted to improve before he attempted to direct others. The director goes on to explain, “I chose him [Prof. Richlin] because his story is more like my own. I felt more like him, and could identify with him.”[1]
Filming
Citing Tom Ford’s A Single Man as inspiration, Yariv Mozer and cinematographer Shahar Reznik opted to stick with a documentary-style favorite and shoot with the Sony F3, an older camera known for its Super 35 sensor and excellent delivery of highlights and aliasing. Or, in layman’s terms: Mozer and Reznik achieved lovely use of light and color in a completely authentic, yet vintage-style picture.[2]
Central Theme
Snails in the Rain has a gay-themed backdrop which is based on a short story. “I was moved by the story,” recalls Yariv Mozer. The director says: "It was very unusual to find gay literature in Tel Aviv. In fact, in some places it is still very much controversial.” [3]
Snails in the Rain is a short glimpse into the life of Boaz, a student at the University of Tel Aviv in the late 1980s. Set in a time when homosexuality is very much a taboo, Boaz, the central character, is conflicted when he begins receiving anonymous love letters from a mysterious man. Mozer also selected this setting because it was a time before instant celebrity and the 24-hour social media culture that we experience today. Love letters replace the modern day texts and emails, offering a more intimate communicative experience.
References
- ↑ Croyle, Dave (2014). "You've Got Mail: Gay Essential Talks to Yariv Mozer". Gay Essential. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ↑ Dave Croyle (2014). "Snails in gthe Rain filming". Gay Essential. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ↑ Dave Croyle (2014). "Snails in the Rain has a gay themed narration". Gay Essential. Retrieved 7 December 2014.