Louie, Abdu and Faris, three Palestinian men, had to seek refuge from their own families. Because of their sexual orientations, they were shunned and subsequently immigrated illegally to Tel Aviv, Israel. Israeli filmmaker Yariv Mozer told the story of their lives through his documentary “Invisible Men,” which was screened in an event sponsored by the Hillel Jewish Center Tuesday, Oct. 16. The group worked with the Culture Department in the Israeli Embassy of Washington D.C. to bring Mozer to campus to answer questions about the film.

Mozer said he lives in Tel Aviv and wanted to know about what it’s like for individuals battling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and defending their sexuality.  He took on a three-year-long journey uncovering the truth about what it’s truly like for Louie, Abdu, and Faris.

“Tel Aviv is known as the gay capital of the world,” Mozer said.  “It is a very liberal place where minorities come to get taken care of.”

Tel Aviv’s purpose, Mozer said, is to promote human rights. This is why Louie, Abdu, and Faris chose to go there.  In their homeland, every public place is guarded with policemen that check your personal belongings and make you show identification.  If you don’t meet their criteria, they will kick you out.

“It never came into my mind that that would be a problem,” freshman elementary and special education major Maggy Kay said.

When Mozer was filming, he said he was tempted to bring these three men across the border, but he knew he would be breaking the law.

“It’s my responsibility of being Israeli,” Mozer said.  “I just couldn’t do it.”

The “Invisible Men” have to cover up their identity and live their life constantly in fear.  The true meaning behind this controversial documentary is to encourage individuals to not hide who they are, Mozer said. Although he said he has received some negative feedback from individuals saying it was Israel propaganda, he wanted to portray a more important and deeper message.

“I was really excited and I thought it was an interesting concept,” Kay said. “It was really thought-provoking and well-worth my time. I think it should be shown again.”