Educational Media Reviews Online

Almost There is a contemplative personal journey by directors Joelle Alexis and Sigal Yehuda, a 20 or 30 something lesbian couple who move from Israel to Greece, in search of peace and acceptance. The seemingly unscripted narrative captures the introspective interplay between the two women as they travel through a variety of picturesque villages, before settling on the island of Mykonos. Conversations center on qualities they seek in a new home, how they met, giving up smoking, homophobia, and lack of family acceptance. A few excerpts include family visits, which give context to the two women’s anguish.

Because of its cinema verite style, we never learn much about Joelle and Sigal and become voyeurs. Naturalistically shot, this documentary provides non-sentimental glimpses of life at the crossroads. Without artifice or profundity, Almost There captures transient moments and revelations through the eyes of a creative couple in love. Adopting a stray dog is the biggest “aha” event. Though technically imperfect, this well-edited subtitled film, mostly in Hebrew, with some French, is a universal story about personal choice. The music is wonderful.

Literature accompanying the preview stresses that the couple “dared” to make this film. For that reason, it exists as a moving testament to the universal struggle for gay and lesbian rights, whether in the U.S. or in the Middle East. This video is appropriate for public library and university collections. However, because it isn’t didactic in nature, it may not be the title you’d choose if you have a small budget and need to fill a gap in this subject area. It is a great piece for a festival and is well worth previewing.

Awards

• Special Mention, International Documentary Competition, 2004 International Women’s Film Festival, Turin