children-of-the-review-lution

[children-of-the-review-lution]

Queer Continent: Around the World in 52 Weeks

#6 Venezuela

Bad Hair (2013) Dir. Mariana Rondón

The synopsis' phrasing of "homophobic panic" to describe the behaviour of the main character's mother in this film could not be more spot on. At the core of the disgust and disapproval, Samantha Castillo does an incredibly subtle job of portraying the genuine fear Marta has of her effeminate son, Junior.

Here is a heart-breaking representation of the damage and pain that arises from a scared person who doesn't understand, and doesn't want to. Marta's fear eventually overpowers her love for Junior, leaving the young boy as a version of himself that he cannot love on his own. He is left, essentially, with no love in his life.

Junior's obsession with straightening his curly hair mirrors his journey of self-discovery, where he explores who he wants to be. The stagnant world of his mother, where his attention to his hair is shameful, suffocates him. However, the accepting, feminine, straight-haired world of his grandma eventually feels similarly so. There seems to be no happy middle world for him, or at least no safe space to find it.

With talented and honest performances from the two leads, Bad Hair is a rich examination of homophobia (in the true sense of the suffix), where compassion is demanded for even the hateful Marta, due to the complexity and thought written into the characters' lives.

Rating: 7/10

[children-of-the-review-lution]

Queer Continent: Around the World in 52 Weeks

#5 Trinidad and Tobago

Play the Devil (2016) Dir. Maria Govan

Following the complex life of gifted student Gregory, Play the Devil is an exploration of the shame that can accompany homosexuality through Gregory's inappropriate relationship with a classmate's father, James. Often criticised by his family for being a pushover, Gregory's journey of standing up to James' persistent advances shows a growth that is becoming necessary to also deal with his neglectful addict father and temperamental brother.

Unfortunately, this is where his growth ends. Stunted by its lacklustre writing, after 90 minutes I was left without the feeling that Gregory ever blossomed into his true potential. Perhaps this could be passable as merely pessimistic story writing if the same couldn't be said about the additional plot points. It never feels like Govan knows exactly the film she wants to make, commenting on gender, sexuality, religion, class, poverty without delving deep enough into either to leave a lasting impression about any in particular.

That being said, it was consistently engaging, helped by the fabulous cinematic capturing of such a beautiful island and captivating performances by all (though particularly Petrice Jones and Akil Nickolas's charming portrayal of two old friends in different stages of growing up).

A film I'm glad was made, but disappointed wasn't made a bit better.

Rating: 5/10

[children-of-the-review-lution]

Queer Continent: Around the World in 52 Weeks

#4 Cuba

Strawberry and Chocolate (1993) Dir. Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabío

I cycled through a few Cuban films before landing on this one, a decision made largely by its availability to stream. While this sounds an unenthusiastic reason, I feel I couldn't have made a better pick.

Strawberry and Chocolate is an Academy-nominated film that explores the opposing views of two friends in 1979 Cuba. Gay, open-minded artist Diego and straight, Communist, suspicious student David engage philosophically, intellectually and emotionally, each convinced of their own standpoint. Through the push and pull of Diego and David's friendship, these ideologies fight to influence the other. Diego's artwork is seen as counter-revolutionary, yet his entire existence as a proud gay man is inherently anti-revolutionary. This unfairness is impressed upon David, whose own ulterior motives to befriend Diego in order to spy on him soon fade as their relationship becomes the one he can most rely on.

More about politics than the particulars of sexual identity, Strawberry and Chocolate paints a compassionate view towards homosexuality in a time when the social mindset was quite the opposite. Cinematically the film has no winning scenes, yet the authenticity and charm of the three main cast members shines through. Their well-written interactions deserve your sympathy; the audience feels compelling investment in Diego's safety and freedom.

Despite some flaws surrounding the discussion of female sexuality, the pacing and story is quite satisfactory and has prompted me to fix my poor understanding of this part of Cuban history. Any film that imparts a want for knowledge upon me is a film well made - at least in my books.

Rating: 7/10

[children-of-the-review-lution]

Queer Continent: Around the World in 52 Weeks

#3 Mexico

Casa Rochell (2017) Dir. Camila José Donoso

Static shots that partly conceal the women in shadow or only show a reflection of them, capturing dialogue and snatches of their complicated, individual lives, are interspersed with these slightly blurred, documentary-style clips in which the actors acknowledge the camera. This blend between fiction and reality doesn't carry the same charm as it did in the last film I reviewed: The Watermelon Woman. The amateur acting during the (presumed) scripted scenes doesn't magically blend with the 4th wall-breaking footage. Instead, these clips allude to a more interesting film that could've been, if it was purely a documentary.

While the pacing struggled to hold me sometimes, it's not a film I'd ever say I regret watching, and I did enjoy myself. The small pocket of trans Mexican life portrayed for 71 minutes is full of intrigue, humanity and love. In keeping with the purpose of the venue Casa Rochell, the film features equally the relationships between the women and their interactions with the male clientele. However, I found the former to be endlessly more engrossing, lamenting the missed opportunity to explore feelings that seemed to be bubbling under the surface: contempt, jealously, shared distrust and sisterhood.

Despite all previous criticisms, Casa Rochell triumphs a world of gender and sexual liberation. Donoso's realm of sequins, wigs and freedom does not exist, but the sentiments and realism in every phone call, interaction and stand-up routine are bursting with authenticity. Casa Rochell is an inspiring dream that just manages to outshine it's small number of flaws.

Rating: 6/10

[children-of-the-review-lution]

Queer Continent: Around the World in 52 Weeks

#2 United States

The Watermelon Woman (1996) Dir. Cheryl Dunye

"Sometimes you have to create your own history. The Watermelon Woman is fiction." - Cheryl Dunye, 1996.

Rarely have I seen, or think I will be soon to see again, a film that so delightfully blurs the boundaries of fiction and reality. Dunye's career defining foray into feature films deservedly took off with a flying start, embodying her University student self's determination to "make some change and have an impact on the world".

The reality of (fictional) Cheryl's difficult undertaking of discovering and documenting all she can about the Watermelon Woman - AKA Fae Richards - serves as a poignant reminder of the erasure of black women, particularly black lesbians, in cinema.

However, amidst decades of censorship, bigotry and ignorance, love emerges as a greater force than all. Fae Richards reaches across time on a bridge of community and sisterhood to modern day Cheryl in defiance of those from her time that would rather have swept her lesbianism under the rug; the truth will out! A truth not too dissimilar to Cheryl's, as she navigates excellently awful and awfully excellent romances, being out and proud in a way her fondly loved documentary subject could not.

Dunye's 85 minute treasure expresses the danger of erasure: how it can be just as harmful as outright hatred and damaging for future generations. Dunye teaches a lesson in the value at looking to ourselves in the past and bringing them with us into the present - into a future that we both owe and devote to those that came before us.

Rating: 9/10

[children-of-the-review-lution]

Queer Continent: Around the World in 52 Weeks

#1 Canada

Matthias & Maxime (2019) Dir. Xavier Dolan

Xavier Dolan, you have gained an avid follower. Matthias & Maxime is a beautifully desperate film that ruminates on the danger, blissful simplicity, and futility of keeping a part of yourself hidden. Matt's journey of awakening to the suffocating reality of the corporate life he's found himself in is either appropriately restrained or just a touch anti-climactic, as his previously held understanding of himself crumbles after an on-screen kiss with life-long friend Max. This world-toppling event for Matt, however, is but a minor worry for Max: with an addict mother to care for and a trip to Australia on the horizon, being in love with his best friend is not life-altering news.

For me, the care and respect towards queer people was evident in the story's tender treatment of Max. His sexuality is far from a defining trait of his character, instead being overwhelmed by the broken family he endeavours to keep functioning and his continually devoted efforts towards whatever might await him cross-continent. His character, splendidly portrayed by Dolan himself, was remarkably alive for 119 minutes. Throughout the film, I found myself bouncing between rooting for the pair, and cheering Max towards his own solo destiny as the travel-day approached.

While Dolan's up-for-interpretation ending isn't offensive, it's wanting the satisfaction of proper closure. Left with space to ruminate as the credits rolled, I took away one main thought. No one can decide what you make of your life except yourself - make it authentic, make it bold, make it kind, generous and considerate, but make it yours.

Rating: 8/10