Our guide to London’s annual LGBTQ+ film festival
BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival returns in March, with a blistering line- up of the world’s finest queer films. Three of the event’s lead programmers pick their favourites for Attitude
MOFFIE
Directed by Oliver Hermanus
After being drafted for compulsory military service, a young South African man is forced to keep his feelings for a fellow recruit secret at all costs. Confronting issues around racism and homophobia head on, Oliver Hermanus’ extraordinary Apartheid- era drama is by no means an easy watch, but it is an unforgettable one.
PRIDE & PROTEST
Directed by Blaise Singh
A fascinating documentary which follows several black and minority ethnic activists in their day- to- day lives as they confront and interrogate prejudice in contemporary British culture. Guaranteed to be a starting point for some much- needed debate, this is a timely examination and celebration of QTIPOC communities in the UK.
CICADA
Directed by Matthew Fifer
The opening- night film at this year’s festival tells the story of a blossoming relationship between two men in New York. But as their feelings develop, each are forced to confront traumas in their pasts. A deeply heartfelt and moving piece of work that sensitively deals with some difficult themes, and signals the arrival of a thrilling new queer filmmaking voice. It’s set to be one of the year’s best.
MONSOON
Directed by Hong Khaou
Henry Golding stars in Hong Khaou’s exquisite study of cultural displacement, in which a man returns to Vietnam for the first time since his family fled the country when he was six years old. Khaou opened BFI Flare in 2014 with his gorgeous debut Lilting, and Monsoon continues to prove that he is one of the most thoughtful and distinctive queer filmmakers around today.
SPIRAL
Directed by Kurtis David Harder
For those who appreciate the darker side of cinema, this chilling nail- biter is especially for you. When a gay couple relocate to a small suburban town, they slowly begin to realise that the neighbours are not quite as friendly as they first appeared. Like a gay riff on Get Out, this is smart and scary horror filmmaking with a keen social conscience.
T11 INCOMPLETE
Directed by Suzanne Guacci
Gripping yet understated, this tale of a woman of mystery really keeps you guessing. A carer with a dramatic past develops a relationship with a woman she looks after, the title being a reference to her spinal cord injury. It raises questions of second chances in life, sexuality and disability.
DISCLOSURE: TRANS LIVES ON SCREEN
Directed by Sam Feder
All the biggest trans stars are out for a timely history lesson in transgender lives on screen, and you might be surprised to know that trans people have been in the movies since the dawn of cinema. Exploring theatrical cross- dressing and the best and worst examples of trans narratives, the documentary critiques the power of film and TV in having cemented nasty stereotypes. Thankfully, these days are coming to a end and many excellent examples of the present will make you happy to be living in the here and now.
TRANSKIDS
Directed by Hilla Medalia
Four very different trans kids in Israel are nearing the end of high school. With military conscription fast approaching, there are a variety of ways to avoid it, but this may incur a range of society and family taboos for these teens. Charting their access to treatment, family support, and coming out at school, this is an insightful film, delving deeply into gender and Judaism.
PIER KIDS
Directed by Elegance Bratton
It is wonderful to see more films coming through from inside the communities themselves rather than by others temporarily entering marginalised groups. This raw documentary by Elegance Bratton captures life on the Chelsea piers in New York, where trans and gay people of colour — many of them homeless — have congregated for decades. It exposes the negative impacts of gentrification and increased control of public spaces.
LINGUA FRANCA
Directed by Isabel Sandoval
What we have all been waiting for: more trans directors! Isabel Sandoval is also the writer and takes the lead role, playing a home carer to the elderly and living under the radar as a migrant to the USA from the Philippines. Set in New York, it is subtle and hard- hitting, telling a 21stcentury Brooklyn love story set against the harsh backdrop of crackdowns on immigrants.
NO HARD FEELINGS
Directed by Faraz Shariat
Parvis is a German- born Iranian who is doing the things that young, gay men get up to: clubbing, online hook- ups and avoiding responsibility. But his life is turned upside down when he’s charged with shoplifting and meets some Iranian refugees as part of his community service.
FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO
Directed by Daniel G Karslake
The description for this powerful documentary may not seem like an instant crowd- pleaser but the account of how religion aff ected four families with trans and gay kids is astonishing. It also gets to the heart of how little things really matter, focusing on the fragility of human lives and the power of love.
MEMORIES OF A TEENAGER
Directed by Lucas Santa Ana
A beautiful and spirited evocation of the fragility of adolescent desires starring Renato Quattordio as teenage blogger Zabo. Angst, betrayal, self- discovery and deep emotions compete for our hero’s attention as he struggles to lose his virginity. And when he does, life doesn’t get much easier.
SUK SUK
Directed by Ray Yeung
Nominated for a Golden Horse Award as best fi lm at the Taipei Film Festival, this is a gentle and utterly compelling story of two older, closeted gay men. Pak and Hoi are both married and have families, but fi nd each other — and romance — in later life: one is 70, the other 65. It’s a rare portrait of older gay men and the reality of their lives.
ASK ANY BUDDY
Directed by Evan Purchell
It always feels like people had more fun before you came along. This occasionally hardcore nostalgia fest of a fi lm is a brilliant editing together of 125 gay porn fi lms shot between 1968 and 1986. There are many pleasures to be had in this celebration of cruising, masculinity and unbridled desire: an aesthetic, erotic and historic delight.
Can’t get tickets for the film you want? Returns for sold- out screenings are released 15 minutes before the start of each film. The festival runs from 18 until 29 March. bfi. org. uk/ flare