Watch I Shot My Love

I Shot My Love is a documentary film from 2009, directed by Israeli filmmaker Tomer Heymann. The film explores the complex relationship between Heymann and his German boyfriend, Andreas Merk, delving into the history and culture of their two countries, and the lingering trauma of the Holocaust. The film opens with Heymann trying to make sense of his relationship with Merk, whom he met at a club in Berlin several years earlier. Heymann reflects on his own identity as an Israeli and how it is shaped by his family's history of persecution and exile. He also discusses Germany's troubled past and his initial discomfort with dating a German.

As the film progresses, Heymann and Merk travel to Israel and Germany, exploring each other's cultures and meeting each other's families. Heymann's brother, Zvi, also appears in the film, providing additional context and insight into their family's history.

Throughout the film, Heymann uses a handheld camera to capture intimate moments between himself and Merk, as well as public events and performances. The film is interspersed with old family photographs, newsreel footage, and archival material from the Holocaust.

One of the most powerful sequences in the film is a visit to the site of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. Heymann and Merk stand together at the infamous "arbeit macht frei" gate, reflecting on the horrors that took place there and the legacy of trauma that continues to shape their lives and their relationship.

Despite its heavy themes, I Shot My Love is a love story at heart, depicting the ups and downs of a relationship between two individuals from very different backgrounds. Heymann and Merk's chemistry is palpable on screen, and their willingness to confront difficult topics head-on is refreshing.

The film is also notable for its innovative editing style, which blends together different types of footage and uses split-screen techniques to create a sense of immediacy and intimacy. Heymann's camera work is raw and unvarnished, capturing the messy and unpredictable nature of love and relationships.

Overall, I Shot My Love is a moving and thought-provoking film that explores themes of identity, belonging, and reconciliation. It is a testament to the power of love to transcend cultural and historical boundaries, and a reminder of the importance of confronting the past in order to build a better future.