‘Jonathan Agassi Saved My Life’: Gay Porn Industry's Backstages

Tomer Heymann is coming back after his awarded ‘Who’s Gonna Love Me Now’, a documentary following Saar Maoz, gay and HIV-positive, who is returning home in Israel after his family turned their back on him for bein gay 20 years earlier.

This time, Tomer focuses on Jonathan Agassi, Yonatan Langer’s porn alias. Before going any further, we are going to put a strong TW on drug use, family abuse and pornography (please take care of yourself). Welcome to 8 years of Jonathan’s life, between Berlin and Israel.

The documentary shows the quick and incredible rise of Jonathan in the gay porn industry, as well as the downfall. It points out the hardship of the porn industry and how the system can destroy people. That is not to say that sex, sex work or filmed sexy are bad; it is not in itself. The problem is an industry that wants to make money at all costs and grows on free websites, sometimes using abuse or private video as income, and exploiting actors and actresses (by the way, if you want to know more about ethical porn, you can read a little on Erika Lust and her website, XConfessions - we have written a piece about her as well).

Tomer’s documentary shows the difficulty of constructing one’s identity and one’s relations to others. It addresses family issues and toxic relationships, as well as individual vulnerability and frailty. It shows Jonathan in his glorious days, performing for a thrilled audience, but it also shows him using (and abusing) drugs to cope with hardships and doubting himself.

All in all, an intimate portrait of a human being, with his strength, weaknesses, doubts, failures and success, disclosing the not so glorious backstages of the porn industry. You have been warned: the documentary, although extremely interesting and touching, is also hard to watch.

So, grab your best box of tissues, a close friend and a warm blanket before playing the trailer down below, because you might need some emotional support!