Mr Gay Syria

Hussain works as a hairdresser in Istanbul. He is 24 years old, a refugee, married, has a little daughter and a big secret - he is gay. He guards this secret with his life, and swears to his violent father that he is straight. He can only be himself among his friends in the city. Hussain is just one of many gay Syrians who try to make a life in Turkey while waiting for a chance to go to Europe. One day he meets Mahmoud, a founder of the LHBTI movement in Syria, who lives as a refugee in Berlin. Mahmoud wants to arrange the competition Mr Gay Syria to highlight the situation of gay Syrians, and Hussain is easily convinced to participate. This is not another documentary about tragic destinies, but a refreshingly uplifting story. Even though life is tough for the protagonists of Mr Gay Syria, they are also filled with laughter, love and dreams of a better life – a life free of war and free of shame.

Ayşe Toprak has a degree from New York University’s Tisch School, and the New School University. After 15 years abroad studying and working in New York, London and Doha, she returned to Turkey in 2011 to produce documentaries for Al Jazeera.