Zacharias Mavroeidis’ “The Summer With Carmen” is a milestone work of queer cinema that seamlessly captures the nuances of gay life. The film takes us on a journey through a day at Athens’ queer beach, exploring queer-related themes such as hookup and relationship culture, family acceptance, and representation. The story begins as a lighthearted comedy, but soon transforms into an emotional character study that offers a genuine glimpse into the complex lives of gay individuals. Ultimately, as one of the most major queer films in recent memory, the film delivers an extraordinarily authentic portrayal of gay friendships that is both touching and thought-provoking.
Tag Archives: Queer
Venice 2023 Review: “Housekeeping for Beginners”
“A gay man and a lesbian woman walk to the altar together” might sound like the setup for a joke, but in Goran Stolevski’s serious drama “Housekeeping for Beginners,” it’s a central moment in a jarring journey into the world of marginalized people in contemporary North Macedonia. Making a return to his motherland after having directed two successful queer features in Australia, Stolevski brilliantly maneuvers through the intersecting lines of discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ and Roma communities, delivering a daring portrayal of a group of people who do not fit in.
Venice 2023 Review: “Heartless”
“Heartless” is the debut feature from the Brazilian director duo Nara Normande and Tião. Prior to this film, they had made three short films, including the critically acclaimed animated short “Guaxama,” which won awards at many film festivals. “Heartless” premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival and is based on the director’s 2014 short of the same name. The film follows a girl from a fishing village, as she prepares to leave for college in the city of Brasilia. During her last few days in the village, she becomes intrigued by a strange girl. While exploring societal constructs, going as far as delving into the origin of toxic masculinity, in addition to a character analysis that shows how such mentalities persist in future generations, the film leaves many other narrative threads underdeveloped, leading to a rather chaotic experience at times.
Cannes 2023 Review: ´Power Alley´
Lillah Halla’s compelling directorial debut, “Power Alley,” packs a strong punch, introducing an innovative queer feminist perspective within the familiar sports drama genre. Premiered at the Semaine de la Critique sidebar of the Cannes Film Festival, this distinctive Brazilian film is headlined by the captivating Domenica Dias, whose electrifying performance strikes a chord with viewers.
Berlinale 2023 Review: ´All The Colours of the World Are Between Black and White´
With his daring debut feature, Nigerian director Babatunde Apalowo manages to create an organic tale of forbidden love where a gaze speaks louder than words.
Rotterdam 2023 Review: ´Blue Jean´
With Blue Jean, director Georgia Oakley presents an authentic portrayal of a lesbian community in Thatcher´s Britain.
Calgary International Film Festival ‘Seuls’ Review: The journey of Lone Refugees
Director Paul Tom crafts an emotionally affecting portrait of the journeys of child refugees in Canada.
Vancouver International Film Festival ‘The Scary of Sixty-First’ Review: Transgressive Campy Horror Satire
Director Dasha Nekrasova creates a queer, campy and bonkers satire about conspiracy theorists.
Locarno 2021 ‘The Balcony Movie’ Review: A Tapestry of Human Experiences
Over the course of two years, Polish documentary director Paweł Łoziński studies the lives of people walking by, while he’s standing on his apartment’s balcony.
Cannes 2021 ‘Women Do Cry’ Review: Sisterhood in Patriarchal Bulgaria
Women Do Cry follows an ensemble of women in Bulgaria. Each member faces different issues regarding their gender and/or sexuality. Their stories give insight into the many hardships Bulgarian woman go through, as a conservative society traps them, causing feelings of loneliness, guilt, and internalized misogyny within them.
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