The Top Five Films to See at the 2014 Melbourne Queer Film Festival

Australia’s oldest, largest and most celebrated queer film festival is back for another year, showcasing the very best of LGBTQ cinema from all around the world. With screenings at ACMI and Hoyts Melbourne Central, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival is the premier event for queer cinema in Australia, with dramas, comedies, documentaries, shorts and now, in its 24th year, a lesbian werewolf movie with a cameo by Kylie Minogue. There will also be speed dating, gay bingo and a 20th anniversary screening of that quintessential Australian queer film Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, complete with an audience costume competition.

With such a variety of films to choose from, compiling a top five list is nearly impossible. Honourable mentions go to award-winning South Australian drama 52 Tuesdays which will be released in cinema in May, as well as the heartbreaking American documentary Valentine Road, about a transgender high-school student shot by his classmate, which placed second in the audience award poll for Best Documentary at last year’s MIFF. Shout-out also to the entire short film program, especially the Oz Shorts selection.

BAD HAIR

One of the festival’s Centrepiece Presentations, Venezuelan drama Bad Hair has drawn comparisons to 2012 festival favourite Tomboy for its honest portrayal of pre-teen sexual identity. Young actor Samuel Lange plays Junior, a nine-year-old boy whose desire to have his hair straightened for his yearbook photo seems to confirm his working-class single mother’s worst fears. A commentary not just on homophobia and youth sexuality, but also Venezuela’s grim socio-political situation, Bad Hair won the gong for Best Film at the San Sebastian Film Festival, and has been pointed to by MQFF director Lisa Daniel as one of the highlights of the program.

BRIDEGROOM

When Tom Bridegroom’s life was cut short in a tragic accident, it was only the beginning of the heartbreak for his long-term partner Shane Bitney-Crone. Without any protection from marriage laws, Bitney-Crone was ostracised by Bridegroom’s conservative family, prohibited from even attending his loved-one’s funeral. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s documentary recounts the relationship between the two men, while also shining further light on the importance of marriage equality. The film won the audience award at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where it was introduced by former US President Bill Clinton. Bitney-Crone is expected to be in attendance at the MQFF screening.

TEST

A favourite at last year’s Outfest in Los Angeles where it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding US Dramatic Feature, Test takes place in 1985 San Francisco, when the AIDs crisis was at its peak. Scott Marlowe plays Frankie, the newest member of an up-and-coming dance troupe, who is agonising over the decision as to whether to take a blood test that will reveal if he’s infected with the disease. Set in the same era as Oscar-nominated AIDs drama Dallas Buyers Club, the film has been praised for its life-affirming approach to an obviously dark period of history.

VICKY – THE GAY GENE COMES TO MELBOURNE

Chosen by Barack Obama to deliver the invocation during the inaugural weekend of his presidential election, Gene Robinson is the world’s first openly gay Bishop. From director Sasha Hadden, this Australian-made documentary chronicles Robinson’s recent trip to Melbourne, where he butted heads with Reverend Fred Nile of the Christian Democrats Party. Released at a time when Australian politicians are coming under increased pressure from gay rights activists, the film explores the role religion has to play in reversing existing prejudices, for which religion is itself partly responsible.

WHO’S AFRAID OF VAGINA WOLF?

The last film on this list brings with it some much-needed frivolity, in the form of the award-winning comedy Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf? Described by one critic as a lesbian blend of Edward Albee’s title-inspiring play and the raucous adult humour of Judd Apatow productions like Bridesmaids and This is 40, the film tells the story of Anna, played by writer-director Anna Albelo, a single lesbian filmmaker in the midst of a mid-life crisis. The semi-autobiographical comedy is another favourite of festival director Lisa Daniel, who describes it in the program notes as a movie “not to be missed.”

For the full festival program and to pre-book tickets, visit www.mqff.com.au.