Men of IsraelNEW YORK – Cameras are set to begin rolling later this month on Lucas Entertainment’s next gay adult production. The movie not only will represent the latest in the studio’s man-on-man sizzlers, but it also will serve a purpose much closer to chief executive officer Michael Lucas’ heart: sociopolitical activism.

According to Lucas, Men of Israel will be the first major gay adult production to be filmed on location in Israel. In addition to portraying hot sexual liaisons, prominent among Lucas’ goals for the title is to portray the country as something other than the “war-torn, vicious bully” mainstream media makes Israel out to be, he said.

“For me, Israel is much more than a country: It’s my heart, my soul, my cause,” Lucas said. “Speaking for Israel has created lots of enemies for me, even here in America. I always get hate messages and comments. It’s my heritage and the place where my ancestors lived for thousands of years. It’s a place we lost and finally gained back; a place where Jews can finally protect themselves from all possible forms of discrimination. It is a gorgeous place where people can truly be liberated and live as they want.”

Lucas said the image many non-Israelis automatically conjure of the country is fabricated. Israel is far from a dangerous, unfriendly society, he noted.

“Publicly broadcast footage is always filmed in either Gaza or the West Bank; they never show Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Red Sea, the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, the beautiful beaches, the amazing architecture and the embracing culture that allows its citizens to thrive,” he said.

In fact, among all the hostility and intolerance in the Middle East, Lucas feels Israel is a beacon of freedom. In surrounding Arabic nations, homosexuality is illegal, often punishable by flogging or death. Until just two years ago, Israel was the sole Asian land where homosexuals were protected by anti-discrimination laws. It remains the only country in its geographic neighborhood to provide legal protection for homosexuals, including same-sex marriage rights, Lucas said.

Michael LucasHe should know. As a vocal supporter of the country, Lucas has made numerous public appearances there. During a highly publicized 2006 trip he characterized as “well-received,” Lucas visited Israel during its war with Lebanon, at a time when no other Jewish entertainers dared to go.

“This is a liberal country where gay people have all the rights — actually more rights — than gays in the United States,” Lucas said. “There is no ‘don’t ask; don’t tell’ policy. Israeli gay men have been able to serve openly in the army since 1993, and gay couples are granted the right to adopt children.”

Lucas said he plans to use Israel’s towering mountains, sun-kissed desert, the Dead Sea and a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea as backdrops for his film. Of course, the film also will showcase the beauty of Israeli men.

“The guys in this country exude such exotic and natural beauty it is unbelievable,” he said. “They are surrounded by oppression, and here they are free to explore their sexuality. To capture this on film will be a groundbreaking venture.”

Lucas, who was born Andrei Treyvas Bregman to Jewish parents in Russia, said he also plans to adopt Israeli citizenship, as is the option for Jews worldwide under the country’s “right of return” doctrine. In the years since Israel’s 1947reestablishment as an independent state, it has drawn its population of about 7.4 million people from more than 90 other countries. About three-quarters of the country’s residents are Jews.

“I’m very excited to be both an American and Israeli citizen,” he said. “I gave up my Russian identity long ago, as I believe your motherland is where your heart is. My heart belongs to both the United States and Israel.”

Men of Israel is scheduled to begin production May 21 in Tel Aviv and wrap June 3. Lucas and videographer mr. Pam will be working with an all-Israeli cast and crew.

In addition to filming, Lucas is scheduled to perform during the May 17 Pride festival in Eilat. He also plans to blog during production, and will post frequent updates to LucasBlog.com. Select scenes will be available on LucasEntertainment.com, and a full DVD release is expected to ship July 22.