Garden (2003) User Reviews

Engaging documentary -- amazing access

[thesmothet · 7/10 · 14 January 2005]

Saw this on TV and thought it was pretty good. It shows how everything is stacked against these kids, especially their own self-image. Nothing is simple -- everyone has an angle. Who's straight and who's gay? Hard to tell. Are Nino and Dudu responsible for making things worse for themselves? They seem to screw up every change to improve things. But on the other hand, everything comes with strings attached. The men who give them money and other things are amazingly candid about their mixed motives.

At times, made me wonder about the documentary itself. After all, there must be lots of desperate kids in Tel Aviv, but the film-makers chose two who have sex with men. Of course, that's more sensational than kids who just steal or do drugs. Did the film-makers pay these kids to be able to film them? Probably not. But how does this documentary help them? If this documentary is for our entertainment, then aren't the producers, and the audience exploiting them just like everyone else?

Amazing, and touching film at the end

[joluvsrnb · 8/10 · 20 November 2013]

This is a raw film that will remind you how hard some gay people have it in the world especially under the Israel/Palestine conflict one to watch, and the end , the end... Its a bleak look into how do kids survive in this when they lose contact with their families and how does one grow and evolve with no support system, a very raw and visceral film , there is no sugar coating, all the better for this also as it depicts a reality.Its just so sweet the fact that the guys are so wild and live on the streets yet in certain points you see a boyish weakness it is very touching and i wonder what happened to them...

i would highly recommend a watch if you like documentaries

Definitely not the garden of Israeli-Palestinian tension you'd expect

[Guy33134 · 10/10 · 3 April 2004]

The "Garden" is a very seedy area of Tel Aviv. In the world most of us know, luxury cars would not circulate freely in such a desolate place (this is NOT Hollywood or Sunset Boulevard, or a busy pick up street). Much less probable is the relaxed attitude of upper middle class types opening their doors and letting anyone inside the car and drive off before any negotiation, seemingly unafraid of violence. And that these Israeli "drivers" are picking up drug crazed young Palestinian males in criminal activities with such confidence is eye opening, at the very least.

But I guess that's one more contradiction of Tel Aviv life this documentary tells. Drug addicted, young gay prostitutes and transvestites (Israelis and Palestinians) share the same working space in uncommon harmony; in fact as friend. To bring these points home, and make a few more, the film makers follow two young men who "live and work" in the Garden. Namely, Nino, a 17-year-old Palestinian living illegally in Israel, in and out of jail and reformatories - and Dudu, an Arab-Israeli.

The guys give what we must assume, and seems to be "honest testimony", while their dealings with Israeli authorities, "clients" and even court hearings are shown. Their views on the Palestinian conflict are so superficial and unimportant that it only concerns them as an impediment to stay in Israel proper, where society is more permissive. This allows them to indulge in their "vices and interests," out of the question in the Arab world.

These activities, however, are obviously not sustainable, even while facilitated by many Israelis - some well intentioned, others with greedier intentions. Life in the "Garden" is a one way ticket to death via diverse living hells, and this documentary does a good job of proving that point.

Moving Documentary

[lilbotox · 10/10 · 27 June 2005]

I watch a lot of Documentaries, many of them about hustlers, prostitutes, and street kids but while the others are silly and mainly just showed them on the surface, Garden went to the soul level. Nino and Dudu's relationship was so moving and inspiring to see. How they wanted each other to do good was good to see. I felt there loneliness, there desperation to have a better life. I was really moved by this film I really felt for Nino and Dudu. This film was very well made and who every has a chance to see it will be moved too.

If anybody has any information on how Nino and Dudu are doing please contact me an tell. I would really appreciate it.

an amazing film, a must-see

[jalberts28 · 10/10 · 30 April 2004]

i saw this film at the 2004 sundance film festival and it was BY FAR AND ABOVE the best documentary i saw at the festival. a fascinating look into the world of two young prostitutes living in tel aviv amidst the backdrop of political unrest and turmoil. this film was beautifully shot and very well edited. the story is a compelling and fascinating meditation on the complexity of these two young boys relationship, the struggles they endure and their ability to cope with addiction, prostitution, homelessness and displacement.

Highly Recommended!!!!!!!

Surprisingly fascinating

[mucus · 10/10 · 16 June 2004]

This is not the type of documentary I usually take the time to watch, but this one grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I was drawn into the lives of Nino and Dudu and unlike other films that center around runaways and prostitutes, I began to care about these two boys and really root for them. I think it was the dynamics of their friendship that make the film so intriguing and different than other documentaries that would film each subject separately, unable to tie the characters together in a way other than the fact they both work the same strip.

** slight spoiler ahead**

I would really like to know if the filmmakers have any updates on what has become of Dudu and Nino. Was Nino able to finish his time in the reformatory? Did they survive? Are they still friends? Has Nino seen his family? Has Dudu given up heroin?

So?...

[inframan · 3/10 · 20 June 2004]

This "documentary" has a pretty exploitative feel to it to me.

You see a bunch of f**ked up street dudes acting out for the camera. So? They have gunshot wounds & torture scars which they show off in a casual way. So? They talk about sex & boredom & meaningless lives & being caught by the Palestinian secret police. So? They are put in the Tel Aviv jail & call out on their cell phones.

So? They never seem to be without cell phones. Homeless, yes, phoneless, no. So? This all looks like agitprop Drugstore Cowboy. Life meets art meets life meets art. When's it stop?

an amazing

[jalberts28 · 10/10 · 30 April 2004]

i saw this film at the 2004 sundance film festival and it was BY FAR AND ABOVE the best documentary i saw at the festival. a fascinating look into the world of two young prostitutes living in tel aviv amidst the backdrop of political unrest and turmoil. this film was beautifully shot and very well edited. the story is a compelling and fascinating meditation on the complexity of these two young boys relationship, the struggles they endure and their ability to cope with addiction, prostitution, homelessness and displacement.

Highly Recommended!!!!!!!