With Spring just around the corner and the zing of LGBTIQ+ love in the air, Queer Screen is feeling decidedly flirty curating a fresh selection of films for the 2024 Queer Screen Film Fest. Highlights include:
Strange Creatures
World Premiere!
Riley Nottingham (Thank God You’re Here) and Johnny Carr (Five Bedrooms) play estranged brothers in this amusing yet poignant Australian feature debut from Henry Boffin (Metro Sexual). Proud pansexual Nate hasn’t spoken to his brother Ged in over four years following an intense falling out. But when their mother passes away, the brothers must set aside their differences to fulfil her dying wish: to scatter her ashes at the old family home in remote Narrabri. Setting out across Australia in a black hearse – courtesy of Nate’s funeral director boyfriend – they’re forced to finally face the ghosts of their past in this wry comedy-drama that will have you feeling all the feels.
American Parent
Sydney Premiere!
This deeply relatable and tender indie film follows the everyday life of a lesbian couple trying to raise a toddler during the pandemic while facing an uncertain future. Bette and Elsie are new parents to a one-year-old daughter when they both find themselves jobless. Their situation worsens when their landlord sells their home and gives them the ultimatum of signing a new lease or moving out. They turn to Elsie’s religious aunt for help, but assistance comes with a price. Forced to navigate parenthood, financial hardship, and career uncertainties, the women must decide what truly matters in their life together. Also available on demand.
Videoland
Australian Premiere!
Be catapulted back to 1998 in Videoland – a fun and heartwarmingly enjoyable ride with a strong dose of impeccably executed nostalgia. Video store clerk Hayley researches how to be a lesbian by watching every sapphic film she can get her hands on, with the help of her supportive straight best friend Tanya. When Hayley develops a crush on a customer, she embarks on a series of hapless misadventures in her attempts to come out, navigate complicated friendships and maybe even find love. Spot homages to classic cinema and indulge in the memories of growing up gay in the ‘90s with this sweet, funny coming-of-age series.
Baby
Australian Premiere!
Filled with moments of surprising tenderness, Baby is a colourful, empathetic ode to queer found family. Fresh from a stint in juvie, 18 year old Wellington and his friends from the local ballroom scene must fend for themselves on the streets of São Paolo. When he encounters older, handsome sex worker Ronaldo there’s an instant animalistic attraction. Taken under his wing as a protégé, the pair are caught in a constant push and pull between fiery romance and the realities of business. But as he’s drawn further into Ronaldo’s world of sex and drug dealing, Wellington must decide what he really wants from life.
Backspot
Australian Premiere!
Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs) portrays an ambitious teen navigating the world of competitive cheerleading in D.W. Waterson’s feature directorial debut. Talented and driven cheerleader Riley dreams of joining the Thunderhawks, an elite professional cheer squad. When she and her girlfriend are given the opportunity to join, new pressures from a demanding head coach (Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld) and Riley’s pursuit of perfection start causing her life to unravel. As Riley’s anxieties reach a breaking point, so too does her desperation to achieve athletic success. Equal parts compelling character-driven drama and an incredible display of athleticism, Backspot is a welcome addition to the queer cheerleading canon.
Big Boys
Australian Premiere!
A young teen develops an unexpected crush while on a family weekend holiday in this multi-award-winning coming-of-age film. When 14-year-old Jamie learns that his older cousin’s new boyfriend will be joining the cousins-only camping trip, he’s less than thrilled. However, over the course of the weekend, he begins to develop much more complicated feelings towards the surprisingly handsome and charming Dan. As Jamie struggles with his newfound feelings, he must also contend with his arrogant, macho older brother and his inexperience in putting up a tent, in this humorous, heartfelt journey through the awkwardness of self-discovery. Also available on demand.
Close to You
Australian Premiere!
Academy Award Nominee Elliot Page (Juno, The Umbrella Academy) is stellar in this incredibly authentic tale about a man confronting his past and discovering newfound confidence. After years in Toronto, Sam (Page) takes a long-dreaded trip to visit family for the first time since his transition. En route, he runs into Katherine (Hillary Baack), a high school crush, and feelings from their unresolved past begin to bubble to the surface. Capturing the all-too-familiar experience of trying to remain patient in the face of clumsy (if well-intentioned) acceptance, Close to You is an emotionally observant drama about coming home as yourself, only to be treated like a completely different person.
All Shall Be Well
Hong Kong couple Pat and Angie have been devoted to each other for over 30 years. Despite being unable to marry, they’ve built a comfortable home and life together with the full support of Pat’s extended family. However, when Pat dies without leaving a will, a devastated Angie is faced with the harsh realities of acceptance as money and the law come into play. With a stirring central performance from Patra Au Ga Man, filmmaker Ray Yeung has masterfully crafted a drama that is both transfixing and controlled.
The Judgement
Sydney Premiere!
Blending the paranormal with the real life horrors of homophobia, The Judgment investigates the lasting consequences of ignorance and shame.US-based Egyptian boyfriends Mo and Hisham are forced back into the closet when they travel to Alexandria to visit family. Having not stepped in the country since he was 12, Mo is haunted by traumatic memories and scars from his childhood. Despite claiming not to believe in religious superstitions anymore, the pressure to hide who he is resurfaces old anxieties that he’s been cursed as punishment for his ‘sins’ in this tense, contemplative supernatural horror. Also available on demand.
Turtles
Australian Premiere!
A seasoned gay couple living in Brussels navigate their complicated 35-year relationship in this delightful comedy-drama. When Henri’s retirement from a lengthy career in the police force pushes their relationship to a breaking point, Thom goes all-out to rekindle their love – no matter the price. Turtles authentically portrays queer love and self-discovery, capturing both the highs and lows of long-term relationships. Featuring standout performances by Dave Johns and Olivier Gourmet as the beleaguered pair, this engaging and sensitive film is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Also available on demand.
Gondola
Australian Premiere! – Closing Night
Cleverly told without a word of dialogue, Gondola sparks queer joy as it follows the burgeoning romance between two young female conductors who operate a pair of carriages on a delightful cable-car in Georgia. As Nino and the newly hired Iva pass each other on their daily back-and-forth, their chemistry blooms, and they soon find ingenious ways to communicate their feelings, much to the chagrin of their grumpy boss. This dreamy, funny and totally original love story is well worth the ride! Also available on demand.
Queer Screen Film Fest screens at the Events Cinemas, George Street, Sydney from Wednesday 28 August to Sunday 1 September 2024. The online program is available on demand nationally from 2 to 8 September. For more information and full program, visit: www.queerscreen.org.au for details.
Image: The Judgment (film still)