Watch Mr. Gay Syria

Mr. Gay Syria is a heart-wrenching documentary that follows the journey of two gay Syrian refugees - Husein and Mahmoud Hassino - as they participate in an international competition to be crowned Mr. Gay World. In the aftermath of the Syrian civil war, Husein finds himself living in Istanbul as an undocumented refugee. Despite the trauma of leaving his family and friends behind, he remains optimistic about his future and dreams of representing Syria on a global stage.

Mahmoud, on the other hand, has already built a new life in Berlin. As the founder of Syria's first LGBTQ magazine, he has spent the past few years working tirelessly to raise awareness about the struggles that queer Syrians face.

When the opportunity arises for Husein to compete in Mr. Gay World, Mahmoud jumps at the chance to mentor him. Together, they work on perfecting Husein's runway walk, preparing him for the talent competition, and building his confidence to speak publicly about his experiences.

As they travel to Malta for the competition, Mahmoud and Husein meet other contestants from around the world - many of whom also come from countries where being gay is taboo or even illegal. Despite the challenges that they face, the men bond over their shared struggles and find comfort in one another's support.

Throughout the film, we see glimpses of Husein's difficult past and the traumatic events that led him to flee Syria. As he prepares for the competition, he grapples with the guilt of leaving his loved ones behind and the fear of what might happen to them in his absence.

Meanwhile, Mahmoud faces his own struggles as he tries to balance his responsibilities as a mentor with his own personal life. He worries about the safety of his family in Syria and the possibility of being outed as gay in his community.

Despite these challenges, the film remains hopeful and uplifting. As Husein and Mahmoud work together to represent their country, they remind us of the power of resilience, determination, and community.

In the end, Mr. Gay Syria serves as a powerful testament to the strength and courage of LGBTQ individuals around the world. Through the stories of Husein and Mahmoud, we are reminded of the importance of fighting for our rights and standing in solidarity with those who are still fighting for theirs.