After closing the border to Palestinian workers, Israeli authorities sought to fill gaps in the job market by encouraging emigrant workers from other parts of the world. Among those who answered the call were Filipinos in various stages of gender transition. These individuals who see themselves in a female persona, shunned by their families and communities at home, build new lives in Israel as caregivers for elderly, orthodox Jewish men, many of whom come to look upon them as substitute
children. On their nights off, the workers perform as a drag queen ensemble, "Paper Dolls," in Tel Aviv nightclubs. Although the troupe's members enjoy Israel's liberal atmosphere, they are still outsiders and are always treated as such. Tomer Heymann's moving documentary explores the role of immigrant worker in Western culture, and delves into the lives of societal outcasts seeking freedom and acceptance, however tenuous.
The transsexuals muddle through, finding their way on the planet in a manner that can only provoke awe, no matter how silly their lifestyle will look to some.
Although the 'weird' factor is very much in play here, director Tomer Heymann does a fine job of peeking behind the curtain and discovering real humanity at work.
The subject matter of Paper Dolls is fascinating but the film's execution is only so-so. Heymann never penetrates beyond the surface of his subject's lives...
Paper Dolls seems something of a cardboard cutout, perhaps because in covering so many of the Dolls one never sees clearly into their various inner lives.
Documentary, concerning gay effeminate men who imigrated to Israel as health care workers. They started a drag troop called Paper Dolls, thus the title of the movie. At times this is appealing but not enough for one to really care of their plight.
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