Gregor Schmidinger’s debut feature provides a complex mix of masculinity, mental health and sexuality, creating a picture of a young mans journey into adulthood unlike many other within the gay genre. Combining stark visual imagery with exceptional sound design Schmidinger creates the aesthetic of entering the thoughts and emotions of his young male lead, Jakob …
Argentinean director Jose Celestino Campusano brings us a coming of age drama based in rural Argentina, with dark foreboding themes of abuse, control and community legitimation of both. Ariel lives on his fathers farm stuck between the toxic masculinity of two opposing older men; his father who believes he can change Ariel into his image …
Winner of the Queer Lion as this years Venice Film Festival. Director Li Cheng brings us a modest and beautifully shot film focusing on hidden love, culture and family in Guatemala. Following José a 19 year old young man who supports his mother in a tough inner city environment, this is a film that offers …
Inspired by the real life story of Nora Monsecour. Lucas Dhont brings us a beautiful coming of age debut feature, exploring the emotional and physical complexity of transitioning gender for young people. Starting at one of the most prestigious dance schools in Belgium, Lara (Victor Polster) not only contends with the tough training of the …
Based on the relationship between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West in the years prior to Woolf’s acclaimed and controversial publication of Orlando, this is a film that should have offered a rich tapestry of literature and female sexuality. However, Vita and Virginia fails to fly, offering a film that plays to 1920’s cliches, with a …
Despite solid performances from both Hedges and Roberts, Ben is Back never manages to rise above the tried and tested addiction film stereotypes. Set in small town America, Ben returns to his family home just before Christmas. His rehab not complete, with many failed home visits behind him, his arrival brings family divisions to the …
Richard Billingham’s photography is world renowned, and with his debut feature Billingham brings the power of his photographic skills to a tough and heartrending childhood memoir of poverty and dysfunctional family life in 1980s Britain. From the outset Ray and Liz makes no attempt to romanticise poverty of opportunity, family breakdown and the inability of …
For some this film may be a struggle to settle into, but this is beautiful Italian filmmaking. Offering a story full of heart and magic alongside a cutting social commentary.
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The Aftermath is not a perfect film, suffering from a lack of development in its core romantic plot, and a slightly Hollywood sheen. However, it does give us a multi layered and sensitive exploration of the personal, social and emotional effect of war and civilian loss across cultural boundaries.
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The Kindergarten Teacher takes you on a psychological journey that encourages you to draw your own conclusions in the divides between obsession, support and love.
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