Five Must-See Films at the 2017 Brisbane Queer Film Festival
Coming-of-age films, Brazilian miniseries and political documentaries set in the Philippines.
Turning 18 is a significant milestone, regardless of whether it's a human or a festival that's celebrating their birthday. In fact, the Brisbane Queer Film Festival is the city's longest-running local festival that is still currently screening, which is no small feat. To mark the coming-of-age occasion, they've broken away from the Brisbane Powerhouse to go out on their own, compiled a great selection of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and gender-diverse films, and will unleash a wealth of queer-focused movie treats upon New Farm Cinemas from March 10 to 19. That just leaves you with the task of watching — and we recommend adding these five must-sees to your agenda.
AWOL
Looking for love and trying to get your life on track in a small town setting might sound like a familiar film premise. In fact, you've probably seen plenty of movies that tell that tale. So come for the recognisable storyline, and stay for the strong performances and evocative sense of place with the intimate and perceptive AWOL — including yet another excellent turn by Mistress America and Mozart in the Jungle's Lola Kirke. See sessions here.
RARA
We should all remember Australia's own Gayby Baby as a moving documentary about the lives of children growing up with same-sex parents. Alas, thanks to the ridiculous reaction to the film in some quarters, we're forced to recall the needless controversy as well. In Chilean effort Rara, both the loving home life and the uncertain response by outsiders come together in a tender drama inspired by a true story. Focusing on 13-year-old Sara, first-time writer/director Pepa San Martín paints a portrait of not just coming of age and everything that goes with it, but of coming to terms with societal pressures and prejudices. See sessions here.
THE LIVES OF THÉRÈSE
Many people can be called interesting, however, very few even come close to Thérèse Clerc. During her 88 years of life, the French feminist activist saw and fought for it all: reproductive rights, sexual equality and gay rights, for starters — and, finally, terminal illness. Sébastien Lifshitz combines her final moments with everything that came before in his documentary The Lives of Thérèse, to insightful effect. No wonder it earned a standing ovation at last year's Cannes Film Festival, where it also won the fest's coveted Queer Palm. See sessions here.
THE NEST
Keen to get your small screen fix on a much, much bigger canvas? Eager to check out intriguing and involving television from around the world? If so, you'd best flock to The Nest, and then settle in for a session of television goodness. The four-episode Brazilian miniseries starts with a soldier's quest to find an estranged sibling, then plunges viewers into a queer community that becomes a new family, taking both its characters and its viewers on an engaging journey of discovery in the process. See sessions here.
OUT RUN
At a time when political figures around the world continue to demonstrate their small-minded thinking, documentary Out Run couldn't provide more vital viewing. At its centre sits Bemz Benedito, who not only leads the world's only LGBT political party, but dreams of being the first transgender woman in the Philippine Congress. The film follows her historic effort — made all the more difficult in a predominantly Catholic nation — and boasts a tagline that sums up its attitude perfectly: "Make politics fierce". See sessions here.
If you're after more BQFF highlights, we're also excited about Tomcat and Women Who Kill, which first screened at the 2017 Mardi Gras Film Festival.
Brisbane Queer Film Festival 2017 runs from March 10 to 19 at New Farm Cinemas. For more information, visit their website.
