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“This is My Truth”
Israel in the eyes of the global media – Erez Rums met actor Michael Lucas in May
Michael Lucas doesn’t care what you think about Zionism. If you have an opinion already, he thinks he can change your mind with his visual aids and sex lubricant.
Using the internet site Atraf.com, Director and porn player Michael Lucas came to Israel from the United States to produce the first gay porn movie and as he see it, a “Homeland Lesson,” or more an act of Israeli propaganda for the world media. We have our conversation in the apartment he’s rented to shoot sex in. He sits with his shirt unbuttoned halfway, with a gold chain and Star of David prominent against his chest, entirely comfortable.
“From morning to night, in every country in the world, what you see and hear about Israel is dreadful,” he says. “An image has been created that Israel is a violent state, mostly Muslims, not advanced, and ugly. But this is a country where gays can walk the streets and be out in public. I arrived here in order to film a movie to shake off the negative images and show the beautiful sides of Israel. I do not think there is a better way to do that then through porn. Look at a map of the sea, the landscape, or Tel Aviv – this is what I want people to think when they hear the word ‘Israel,’” he says in a Russian-tinged accent.
Lucas is not just looking for people to tolerate Israel – he has a real grasp of its citizens and history. Michael Lucas is a U.S. citizen, born in Moscow 37 years ago as Andrei Bregman, to a Jewish family. As a child he grew up in a very anti-Semitic atmosphere and developed a strong sense of being different since he was a Jew.
After receiving his law degree from the University of Moscow, he left Russia and after a bit of restlessness in Europe, he arrived in New York City in 1997 with “only two hundred dollars in his pocket,” and a drive to succeed. “I am a practical person, and of course I had a lot to succeed. When I arrived in New York, I could be another immigrant lawyer, without money and unable to speak English. Would I become big? There were millions more like me in line, with much better chances. So I decided to get into porn, where I felt I could make it to the top and succeed quickly.”
And what happened? A decade later and the guy has certainly succeeded. His established production company, Lucas Entertainment, has produced scores of films so far. Many of his films have gone on to win the biggest awards within the porn industry.
“I want to take advantage of my power and do something for Israel, a place I am very connected to. There’s already been a movie or two, but that wasn’t real, and nothing I could be proud of. My movie is the real thing. I’m calling it ‘Men of Israel,’ and it’s going to be amazing.”
How do you think you can help the image of Israel through porn?
“Let’s just say this: I want to do for Israel what Bel Ami did for the nations of Eastern Europe. Who knew anything about them? For example, the Czech Republic after the fall of the Soviet Union was a sad, poor country. But suddenly, you see movies filmed there with beautiful guys and people quickly change their minds. And you know what? Tourism to the Czech Republic increase and the movies are a hit. This is exactly what I want to do for Israel. The landscapes are no less beautiful and the guys are no less beautiful, if not more.”
Tell us a little about the casting process – did you get a lot of inquiries?
“Yes, we received a lot. Casting was very intertwined with our advertising. We published ads on Atraf and a number of other sites. With the money I spent on this film, I could have produced four in New York City. But it’s still worth the investment because I believe so strongly in the project. I myself have seen over 50 guys during the initial screening process, and I’ve chosen about 20 to appear in the film.”
What is an audition for a porn film like?
“A guy arrives, and then gets completely naked so I can see his body. I take a couple of snapshots and maybe some video footage. I need to see how he moves, how he poses, what type of energy he gives off. Then I ask a few questions like what he likes to do sexually. It’s important because we need to pair each model correctly, or there’s no chemistry. If there isn’t any, the scene is lost.”
Israel is not like the United States. Here there is a strong sense of community, where “everyone knows everyone.” Was this a problem during the shoot?
“Not really. If a person came out already, their main concern was what their parents would say, less about what their friends think. Some said they were open about this part, and some even said they even told their parents. Then some said they would hide it and not tell anyone. It’s just important that they’re not shy in front of the camera, because otherwise it’s not worth it. Beyond that I do think that there is some sense of community. In Israel people’s sexuality is very open – even aggressive. This is exactly what I want to capture in the film.
What type of guys are you looking for in this movie?
“I personally like a lot of types of guys, but this particular movie is important to me. It’s the first to represent all of Israel, and therefore I endeavor to find the natural beauty of Israel. So, for example, I’m only looking for Israeli Jews. Jews from Russia are find, but Christians from Russia, for example, I’m not interested in. There are enough of them in Russia, and there is no reason for them to appear in a movie about Israel. The same goes for Muslims. This is a film about the Jewish sate, and since I’m the producer, it’s important that Israel is represented as I see it and how I show it to others.
Isn’t there a type of manipulation here? Aren’t you hiding the speech making of Israel’s political parties?
“Excuse me, but the “speech making of Israel’s political parties” is present at all hours, on every television channel, in countries around the world! My choice is simply to focus on, for a change, the beautiful aspects of the country, something that very few in the world are doing. Because this movie is a product of my information and my finances, I don’t think you can come to me with these claims. If you have already, what I’m doing here is a great service. I believe the conflicts within Israeli society are really not something that invites tourists.”
Tell me a little bit about the story
“Basically, there are two guys traveling around Israel. They fuck around with other nice guys that they meet during their trip. I’m filming, of course, in Tel Aviv, but also the Dead Sea, the desert, and Jerusalem. After the movie, I also intend to publish a magnificent book of photographs and landscapes with the guys from the film. You have to understand that the men are proud of tourism’s tremendous power – they have good jobs, they like to invest themselves in what they do and do not have to worry about their families. I want people to come to Israel following this heroic film.”
Are you satisfied with your choice to go into the porn business?
“Very! I also think it was a particularly courageous choice, and I would make the same choice today. Thanks to the money I’ve earned I could bring my parents, grandparents, and brother from Russia to the United States, I’ve earned the respect of major newspapers and publications in the United States, and I’ve won the honor to represent Israel and the Jews.”
You must be aware of the criticism of the porn itself, and the porn industry.
“Right, but I do not agree with many of these things. About the porn industry: I am very strict about salaries and office workers – no one leaves deprived. For my models, I make sure that the days and times are convenient for them. When I was younger, I once had to spend 10 hours on one scene, and there was nothing I could do about it. I do not do such things. As for porn itself, I don’t agree with the criticism. Porn is a good thing. It even teaches. You can learn about masculinity, on how to have sex, you learn about protected sex and mainly, you enjoy it.
Sometimes I think porn can replace a good experience, since anyone on the Internet can have sex with a star (which can also be frustrating). Porn makes good people, and this will be doing a service to Israel. Believe me, there are few people in Israel doing here a good service, and plenty of those doing the opposite.”
Who, for example, do you mean?
“Take for example, the film ‘The Bubble,” directed by Eytan Fox. I know this movie was very successful in Israel, but when I saw it, I became enraged. This movie shows the world a rationale allegedly behind the suicide attacks and even justifies them. What a dreadful vision! This is awful treason and we should put these people in jail as they are traitors to their country. On the other hand, there are people like Dana International, who I just met in Eilat. Dana is not an easy person to understand, but what she does is an amazing service to Israel and the world, you cannot imagine. In the United States she’s hardly known, but in Europe she put Israel at the center of the map of the world, and I really appreciate her for that.
Are you proud of yourself?
“Very. I am proud of the footage I’ve shot and I’m proud of what I’m doing for Israel. I’m even going to request Israeli citizenship soon. I know there’s criticism of me, but it doesn’t matter. I’m very convinced about what I’m doing for Israel, it doesn’t bother me. I will always speak favorably of Israel no matter what. This is my truth.”