#GAZE LGBT Film Festival

[mariacallous]

Over the past two years, stories of foreigners moving to Russia for ideological reasons have become a recurring theme in the country’s media. In October 2024, Russia’s Interior Ministry reported a surge in applications for temporary residence permits from citizens of “unfriendly nations.” Many of these expats, dissatisfied with so-called “LGBT propaganda” and feminism in their home countries, have turned to YouTube to share their experiences of life in Russia and promote “traditional values” — often relying on sexualized portrayals of Russian women to draw in viewers. Since 2023, the Russian government has poured millions of rubles into promoting the country’s image as a haven for disillusioned Westerners. The reporting project Glasnaya investigated how successful these YouTube trends have been and what narratives pro-Russian foreign vloggers are spreading. Meduza shares an abridged English-language version of their reporting.

Samuel Hyland, a 46-year-old from Nottingham in the U.K., moved to Russia in the early 2000s, settled in Vladimir, and eventually gained citizenship. Hyland speaks decent Russian, having developed an interest in the language as a teenager after a Russian family moved into his neighborhood.

In 2017, he launched a YouTube channel, Sam’s Russian Adventures, where he documents life in provincial Russia in English. His channel only really took off in 2022, though, when he began posting videos about exploring abandoned places and life in Russia under Western sanctions.

A woman named Milena frequently appears in Hyland’s videos. In one clip, she strolls with him through a village wearing tight, neon workout gear and holding a cardboard sign that reads, “Looking for a husband.” In another, she rocks back and forth on a piece of children’s play equipment in a white corset and a long silky black skirt, as she gazes up at Hyland. “Would you fly in my plane?” she asks. “Of course! You’re such a smart and beautiful girl,” he replies.

Hyland has found a simple formula to attract viewers: clickbait titles. Choice examples include “Russian Girl Shows Me Her Ass,” “Englishman Invited to GIRLS ONLY Party in RUSSIA,” and “She told me THIS was forbidden in RUSSIA.” The actual content is mundane — looking at art at a market in Vladimir, attending a yoga festival, or getting yelled at by a local woman for filming.

He pairs the provocative titles with voyeuristic thumbnails catering to the male gaze. In one, a young woman in a tight black dress that exposes her cleavage licks a popsicle while locking eyes with the camera. The video, titled “I got SCAMMED in Russia,” is about Hyland getting swindled while buying a car during his early years in the country.

Hyland, whose videos attract anywhere from a few thousand to half a million views, says this is what his audience wants. He’s complained that YouTube deprioritized his content after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine since he shows the “real Russia” without “Western propaganda.” In his videos, Hyland emphasizes that Russia is a country of “traditional values,” where women view men as providers and continue to care for their appearance after having children — unlike, he claims, women in the West.

When Hyland learns that a woman he’s speaking to has kids, he showers her with compliments and praises Russian women for their ability to maintain their looks. In one video, a woman remarks, “When you watch TV, [Western women] are all plus-size. Here, everyone takes care of their body, diet, [and goes to] the gym, even after having two kids.” Hyland enthusiastically agrees.

The British YouTuber has tried his hand at various ventures while living in Russia. In 2012, he opened an English language school in Vladimir, but the business failed. Now, Hyland focuses on his two YouTube channels and offers consultations for foreigners interested in moving to Russia. His website also features a section called “Russian Dating.” Hyland claims foreign men and Russian women often ask him to set them up. So far, though, there’s just one sample profile on his site.

‘Traditional values’

English-language YouTube channels about life in Russia occupy a small niche, but topics about relationships with women and discussions of feminism are quite popular. Videos on who should pay the bill on a date, the differences between American and Russian women, and how to win over a Russian woman often attract hundreds of thousands of views.

Many of these channels are run by foreigners who moved to Russia after marrying Russian women, says Natasha, the creator of the English-language YouTube channel Natasha’s Adventures, where she documented life in her hometown of Spassk-Dalny in Russia’s Far East before emigrating. “These are people who adhere to so-called traditional family values and have become disillusioned with the West,” she said. “According to them, rainbow flags are everywhere in the West, but in Russia, the traditional family is still preserved. They’re often well-off individuals with Western salaries, savings, and property.”

One of the vloggers Natasha is talking about is former U.S. Marine Daniel Castellon. He came to Siberia in April 2022 to explore the region and “test himself,” but when he landed in Irkutsk, he struggled to find anyone who spoke English — except for one woman. Two years later, they got married, and Castellon shared the wedding on his YouTube channel, Wild Siberia.

A former Californian, Castellon calls Siberia the “new frontier for freedom.” He purchased land in the town of Slyudyanka on Lake Baikal, where he grows radishes and goes fishing with his father-in-law. Castellon says he appreciates that Russia, unlike the U.S., respects “traditional values,” and he says he admires Russian women for being “wise” and desiring men who will “protect and love them.” In his view, such women are becoming harder to find in the U.S. and Europe due to “LGBT propaganda.”

He also believes masculinity is rooted in military service, lamenting that the U.S. military now recruits LGBTQ+ people. In one of his videos, Castellon says the U.S. is currently being run by “weak men,” which is dragging the country downhill, while Russians are constantly dealing with harsh weather, sanctions, and global pressure, “so they’re always creating strong men.”

Castellon views Russia’s war in Ukraine as an opportunity for young men from small towns like Slyudyanka. He admits that there have been casualties but says “not all will die, obviously,” adding that the money from Russian soldiers’ “exploits” will benefit the economy in their hometowns.

A ‘moral refuge’

According to Natasha, videos about Russia on YouTube can be fairly lucrative. “There isn’t much content about Russia in the West, especially in English. The country has always been interesting to foreigners, even before the war — some studied Russian, others had roots here. After the war started, many also became curious about Russian politics,” she explained.

The Russian government has been working to capitalize on this interest, positioning the country as a “moral refuge” for Westerners who share “traditional family values.” In 2023 and 2024, the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives allocated about six million rubles ($60,000) to a competition called From Russia with Love, which aims to fill the gap in content presenting Russia as “an attractive country to live in.”

English-speaking foreign vloggers are encouraged to select video ideas from “patriotic” Russian YouTubers and collaborate with them. “There are long-standing ideological trends justifying leaving Russia for the ‘West’ as practically the only positive path for progressive youth,” reads the project description. “At the same time, many educated, well-earning residents of Europe and America, for political or ideological reasons, no longer wish to live in these countries and are either considering Russia as a destination for relocation or have already moved here.”

Since September 1, 2024, foreigners who share “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” can apply for temporary residence in Russia through a simplified process. Applicants are not required to know Russian, or the country’s laws or history. Pro-Kremlin foreign vloggers have actively been making videos about the new decree, often using the opportunity to promote their own products, such as consultation services for those considering moving to Russia.

Some of the most notorious foreign vloggers sit on From Russia with Love’s panel of experts. Among them is Tim Kirby, who immigrated to Russia from the U.S. in 2006. Kirby says he made the move after his daughter’s school principal in the U.S. threatened to involve child protective services if she continued to miss classes.

In Russia, Kirby worked as a host on various propaganda outlets such as Russia Today and the Christian Orthodox news network Tsargrad TV. He speaks fluent Russian and got Russian citizenship a few years ago. Kirby runs a YouTube channel where he documents his travels across Russia. Unlike many other English-speaking vloggers, he rarely features Russian women in his videos. “It’s much better for society when men are valued,” he claimed. “When a woman admires a man, she bonds with him — and a family and a marriage begin. But when a woman is put on a pedestal, she ends up alone, buying cats and boxed wine at 40.”

The project’s creators envision these “experts” providing “guidance” to Russian YouTubers, helping them see their hometowns “through the eyes of foreigners.” They also hope to leverage the “wow factor” of titles like “Expat Vloggers Shocked by the Real Russia” to create viral content and attract large audiences.

In 2023, the videos produced for the competition exceeded expectations, garnering more than a million combined views (compared to the anticipated 100,000), according to the competition’s website. One winning video, about how “Crimea has transformed over 10 years as part of the Russian Federation,” garnered more than 1.4 million views. However, the results were mixed. Of the 10 videos featured on the project’s site, four received only a few hundred views, while another four ranged from 2,200 to 11,000 views. As of this writing the least-viewed video, Union of Fathers, hasn’t even broken 300.

[emzeciorrr]

Eyes and Horns from Fabian&Fred on Vimeo.

Film by Chaerin Im

Inspired by Picasso’s ‘Vollard Suite’, the transformation of the over masculine Minotaur leads to the destruction of boundaries of sexes.

Festivals (selection) Ann Arbor Film Festival VIS Vienna Shorts Animafest Zagreb Frameline San Francisco LQBTQ+ Film Festival Annecy Animation Festival DokuFest Odense Film Festival Linoleum Animation Festival Cyprus Short Film Festival, Limassol Drama International Short Film Festival Festival Mix Milano – LGBTQ+ Guanajuato Film Festival Ottawa Animation Festival Animation Volda VAF Viborg Animation Festival StopTrik Oslo/Fusion Film Festival BIAF Bucheon Animation Festival Uppsala Short Film Festival SPARK Animation Festival Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival PÖFF Shorts – Black Nights Cartoons Underground Chéries Chéris LGBT Festival Paris Tous Courts, Aix en Provence International queer Film Festival Merlinka Anima Brussels Tricky Women MONSTRA Animation Festival Regensburger Kurzfilmwoche Roanne Animation Festival Kaboom Animation Festival Florida Film Festival GLAS Animation Festival Atlanta Film Festival Busan Short Film Festival deadCenter Film Festival Fest Anca Anibar Insomnia Animation Festival Animist Tallinn Nancy Film Festival Supernova Animation Festival Animasyros Animation Festival Fringe Queer Film & Arts Fest GAZE LGBTQ+ Film Festival Nashville Film Festival Festival of Animation Berlin Primanima Tacoma Film Festival TLVFest - Tel Aviv LGBT Film Festival Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival Queer Film Festival Playa del Carmen Pinx Queer Film Festival Seattle Asian American Film Festival

©2021 Fabian&Fred, Chaerin Im

[euralmanac-blog]

LGBTQ+ artistic community come out in style to launch this year's Gaze International LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2020. Pictured is Stefan Fae (performer with Spicebag) Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall

[lafcadiosadventures]

Some very interesting insights about the absence of David in the latest Illusions perdues. shared with permission of the writer:

Hi! I don't know if that is going to interest you, feel free to ignore this if you don't care, but as a French person who works in the film industry, I saw your opinions about the new Illusions Perdues movie, agreed, and wanted to give some extra insight, especially regarding the absence of David.

It's true that the film focusing only on part II was a pacing choice, but I don't think it was just a matter of pacing. I think the stigma in the French art world against Province definitely played a big part in how Lucien's "backstory" was handled.

I don't know if you are aware of that, but the issues of old about Paris being the epicenter of culture and everyone living in Provincial towns being considered backwards and uneducated has not gotten better since Balzac's time. In fact, it's progressively getting worse, with a huge resurgence in the 2010s.

Funny coincidence enough, I live in (…), and I face a lot of contempt for working in the art/film industry while having no interest in moving to Paris. Most of the people who matter when it comes to cinema, producers, critics, etc. Are Parisians. So the critical success of Illusions Perdues depended a lot on it centering around Paris.

The jury of the festivals that gave this film awards would have thought about it twice if a bigger chunk of the movie had been dedicated to the relationships Lucien built in Province. It was important to get that chapter over with as quick as possible, painting Lucien's provincial relationships as insignificant, making him look misunderstood by the backwards countrymen, and move to the Parisian fantasy that "educated" moviegoers can relate to.

One of the things that is very telling of that are the visual choices for the prologue of the movie, which is supposed to take place in Angoulême. They chose to film it in this very flat, grassy countryside, which is completely alien to the Angoulême country, which is rocky and made of various hills. Basically all they wanted was for this sequence to look "rural" and devoid of any personality, which sends a message to the French viewers that "don't worry, Paris will be the focus soon". So that also means no nuanced Angoumoisin characters: no David!

When it comes to Lucien's sexuality, and maybe I'm getting conspirational right there, but I feel like David's role was substituted for Nathan's. Xavier Dolan, the actor who plays him, is pretty well known as a director in the LGBT community. I feel like just having him in that role would make people presume some level of homoeroticism, even if there's none shown in the film. I think his gaze on Lucien was supposed to replace David's gaze in the first part. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I have a few friends who haven't read any Balzac, but know from hanging around me that there is a gay character in La Comédie Humaine. They went to see the film, and several of them went and told me, "So, the one one who was supposed to be gay was Nathan, right?" all while being pretty sure of themselves. So maybe the casting wasn't intentional, but it was recieved that way by some people, at least.

[shesnake]

@akajustmerry​ and I have a podcast where we talk about LGBT film/tv and how we relate to it as gay people of colour! Here’s a list of episodes to date which you can listen to on Spotify, Apple, Google Podcasts, Youtube (closed captions available here), Anchor, and more.

Please consider supporting us on PATREON or PAYPAL.

Volume 1:

Good Omens: Subtext vs. Queerbaiting

The Gay Gaze: Our favourite LGBT filmmakers

Freddie & Friends: The Failure of LGBT Biopics Part 1 (MLM biopics)

Based on a True Struggle: The Failure of LGBT Biopics Part 2 (Trans+WLW biopics)

Goldfinch Miniseries Pitch: our review of the disappointing film adaptation of Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch and how it could have been better

Dec(gay)de in Review: we run through the best and worst LGBT cinema and television of 2010-2019

Volume 2:

Luke Skywalker is Gay: our Star Wars review

The Korean Gothic Lesbian Revenge Thriller That Captivated Cannes: I talk about how much I love The Handmaiden for 90 minutes

Let Bigones be Bygones: Patterns in bisexual representation in media across the board

A Fantabulous Emancipation Indeed!: our Birds of Prey review

Shakesqueer: Much Ado About Nothing: exploring queer subtext and comphet in this iconic play!

A Little Sadness... As a Treat: on representations of queer sadness in cinema

Volume 3:

New Gender, Who Dis?: Doctor Who’s Thirteenth Doctor and white feminism

Two Girls Chilling In a Hot Spring 5ft Apart ‘Cuz They Are Gay: our The Half of It review

Quarantine Pride Recs

Hollywoo: gay/bi rep in Hollywood (2020), Bojack Horseman, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Do I Look Moderate to You?: religious repression in LGBT films

Portrait of a Lady on Fire review

Volume 4:

National Young Writer’s Festival 2020 Debate with Panda Wong

My Dear Watson: on gender-swapping and queer subtext in Sherlock Holmes adaptations, particularly Elementary, Miss Sherlock, and Enola Holmes

Jennifer’s Mind: on Jennifer’s Body (2009) and lesbian sexuality in horror

The episodes are available on Youtube for anyone who requires closed captions and you can follow us on Twitter and/or Instagram for updates.

[golffitz-blog]

English Translation:

CINEMA

FILMS

5 films that promote the lesbian cause

Screenshot from Todd Haynes' movie "Carol", 2015.

Each year many films are released in cinemas or on streaming platforms. Among them, very few focus on the LGBT community and more particularly lesbians, even if their representation tends to develop. Let's take a look back at 5 striking and important films on Sapphic relationships.

1- “Carol” by Todd Haynes, 2015

1950s, New York. Thérèse, a young employee of a department store meets Carol, a charismatic woman, married and mother of a little girl. Unfortunately, this one finds herself locked in her marriage and this meeting will change everything for the two women. As soon as they meet, an attraction is born and turns into a forbidden love. Since the conventions of the time were conservative and homosexuality rejected, they had no choice but to go into hiding.

“Carol” was adapted from Patricia Highsmith's book of the same name. It is a strong and poignant story that cannot be left unscathed. In addition, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara's acting is striking. It is anchored today as a classic among LGBT films.

2- “Portrait of the young girl on fire” by Céline Sciamma, 2019

1770, France. Marianne, a young painter, is to paint the wedding portrait of Heloise. The young woman has just left the convent and must marry a Milanese nobleman. In resistance to this marriage, Héloïse refuses to pose. Introduced as her new lady-in-waiting, Marianne looks at her, analyzes her and memorizes her features in order to paint her in secret. Only, she cannot continue to lie to Heloise any longer as their bond strengthens and love is born between them.

The film received the Screenplay Award at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and received critical acclaim. The beauty of the scenes gives the impression of being in a painting for the duration of the film. Poetic and artistic, “Portrait of the Girl on Fire” is a true masterpiece.

3- “Ammonite” by Francis Lee, 2020

1840, England. Mary Anning was a renowned paleontologist but now lives with her mother in a remote location on the rugged south coast of England. She continues to glean ammonites which she then sells to wealthy visitors. One day, she meets Roderick Murchison, a wealthy tourist who asks her to take care of his convalescent wife Charlotte during her business trip. Reluctant at first to meet up with this one, she ends up accepting and begins a passionate affair between the two women.

“Ammonite” defies social barriers and signs a story unlike anything we've seen before. With Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan and Fiona Show, the cast turns out to be very astonishing. The film is all tenderness and delicacy.

4- “La Belle saison” by Catherine Corsini, 2015

1971, Paris. Delphine, a farmer's daughter who has always lived in the countryside, decides to leave for Paris in order to emancipate herself and be financially independent. Carole is in a relationship with Manuel and is a Spanish teacher. Very committed to the beginning of feminism, she is part of the Women's Liberation Movement (MLF) in which Delphine will take part. From there, their relationship will evolve and the two of them will have a great love story until one day reality catches up with them.

The historical background of the 1970s with the empowerment of women who are beginning to make their voices heard and to fight for their rights is an asset in this film. In addition to following two women who discover and tame each other, we find ourselves confronted with the harsh reality of Sapphic relationships: the fear of the gaze of the other.

5- “A secret love” by Chris Bola, 2020

Documentary available on Netflix, "A Secret Love" tells the story of Terry and Pat, two octogenarians whose love has been kept secret for a long time. Met in 1947, they spent more than 70 years of their life together. Both have known the repression of lesbianism, in a context like that, they did not accept this term qualifying them. They lived together but called each other "cousins" or "friends" when they had to talk about each other to someone outside. It wasn't until the end of their lives that they celebrated their love by getting married a few months before Terry died.

Homosexuality in old age is rarely shown. This documentary highlights the type of discrimination that older lesbian women can experience, such as a retirement home that accepts their marriage. The generation that this film shows us is the one that was keen to protect itself, to remain hidden even if that meant silencing part of its identity. Their story is truly touching and endearing.

About Marie Party

[leznup]

Lesbian [Talk Show] - LeZ'N Up - Dating Stories

Stories from Conservative Closets

The hunger and thirst for LGBTQ content was strong with me and if you understand or grew up hiding in your gay closet, you know the temptation will always be a risk. What if someone sees you looking at books in that section? That's the sad truth of being a questioning youth. In order to discover who you are you have to risk being exposed and for some it's too much. We discuss how the fear of others reaction to PDA has an effect on Lesbian relationships. Even being out of the closet has it's restrictions when it comes to being okay with how the public treats lesbians and PDA. The gaze of men, haters, being outed in your community, etc. can all be obstacles for LGBTQ+ relationships.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEI5PkC6eCQ

Published on March 22, 2019

Dating and Going to Pride in the USA

Stephanie highlights some of the great Pride events she's attended on the West and East Coast. Nicole discusses some of the amazing Pride events of the Southeast side of the USA. Pride is an LGBTQIA+ festival. Events during the festival are all over the globe. Communities celebrate diversity through parades, exhibits, films, and of course parties! Join us as we talk about some of our memories from Pride. Share some of your exciting pride stories in the comments below. Have you ever been to a Pride event in your city? We speak briefly on dating as a Lesbian. Stephanie talks about the difficult task and knowing who is or isn't Lesbian. Nicole reminisces about her dating years before she was married.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAPzShnmpEA

Published on April 5, 2019

Dating Stories

Finally telling real lesbian dating stories! Stephanie is sharing some dating stories this episode. We hear about her Tinder date and her amazing luck at the gay bars in Portland. I also throw out some terrible date ideas. We discuss some interesting dating spots in big cities like Atlanta and Portland. How do we feel about Zodiac signs and dating? Do you search for certain signs while dating? Stephanie talks about the Virgo life and if her first date was interested in moving forward with her. What is your favorite LGBTQ bar in Portland? Share some of your wild stories in the comments!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb1v3q_0FXo

Published on April 17, 2019

Bedroom Stories

We are talking about what goes down in the bedroom. Stephanie continues sharing the details of her date with a woman she met at the gay bar. We discuss Lesbian top and bottom dynamics in sex and celebrate switch hitters. We talk about dating apps and how polygamous relationships compare to open relationships and monogamous ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjh9yoOL9Xk

Published on April 18, 2019

Finding Your Soulmate

Stephanie asks how Nicole knew she wanted to start a monogamous relationship with her wife instead of another open relationship with a new woman. Nicole tells Stephanie about meeting her wife and falling in love. How do you know you've found the one? Nicole discusses the difference between her relationship with her wife and past women she's dated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_V4xtharZI

Published on April 19, 2019

Finding Lovers & Friends

Nicole gives her strategy for finding lesbians in the wild. Stephanie shares how fun it is to hang out with gay males as an alternative to hanging out with lesbians. We tell stories about going to lesbian events and bars alone vs going with a crew of lesbian friends. Tune in for a glimpse into the struggle to find lovers and friends in the lesbian community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRcJcljmY2g

Published on May 1, 2019

Virgin Sex and Dating

Everyone has to start somewhere! Join Stephanie and Nicole discussing the first time they had sex as lesbians. Stephanie also gives us an update on her lesbian dating life as it heats up and continues in Portland. Will she ever find a woman that doesn't sneak out before the sun comes up? Does the media portray losing your virginity and first times wrong? Join in the comments and share how you feel about orchestrated sex scenes and what it's actually like to have sex for the first time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ4HZLWCN2M

Published on May 3, 2019

Useless Lesbians

The phrase "useless lesbian" has become a funny meme but is it harmful? Stephanie and Nicole talk about what it's like to feel like a useless lesbian. Useless lesbian is often defined as a lesbian who wouldn't recognize if a woman is into her even if its obvious. We talk about rejection, flirting with women, and giving compliments that don't feel creepy to both parties. Have you ever felt like a useless lesbian? Join us in the comments and tell your story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHu7S_8W4GM

Published on May 8, 2019

Queer Sexuality Part 1

Our first guest joins us to talk about Queer sexuality. Kyrstin (Portland) is joining us and sharing her journey to identifying as Queer. We ask her all the questions we have about what Queer means to her and how living and identifying as Queer has impacted her life. She gives us an amazing introduction into Queer topics. We discuss bisexuality, pansexuality, and how she feels about the term homoflexible. What does being Queer mean to you? What does the term mean to you and your community? Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss Part 2 of this discussion and all our other entertaining episodes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF7YjZLSqt4

Published on May 13, 2019

Queer Sexuality Part 2

Part 2 of our discussion into Queer sexuality. Kyrstin (Portland) is joining us and sharing her journey to identifying as Queer. We talk about the different situations where identifying as Queer would include a variety of different presenting humans. We discuss bisexuality, pansexuality, and how she feels about the term homoflexible. What does being Queer mean to you? What does the term mean to you and your community? Check out Part 1 as well to continue the topic of Queer sexuality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6YUxidEe0E

Published on May 14, 2019

My Ex Changed Her Name

Nicole's first girlfriend joins the show to talk about how she changed her name. This is great if you're thinking about changing your name or want to hear a story about something you've never done before. We discuss how she came up with her new name (Justin), her fears, and the different situations that developed. Have you ever introduced yourself and used a different name? Are you thinking of or have you changed your name?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1sEp_h5t8k

Published on May 20, 2019

My Ex is Bisexual

Part 2 of The Talking to My Ex GF series is here and it's Bisexual. Stephanie, Justin, and I talk about how bisexuals are viewed in the LGBT+ community. Justin discusses what it means to be bisexual now while she is in a heterosexual relationship and what it was like coming to terms with bisexuality. Are you struggling with identifying as bi or any other sexuality? Are you interested in how someone decides or arrives at the decision to be another sexuality?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5QrQF2RLkM

Published on June 8, 2019

Operation Gemini

Stephanie shares the legend of Operation Gemini. Lesbian Zodiac Killer, Sex, Love, Instagram PI Work, Murder Mysteries, and the one Nicole calls Carmen San Diego. We get into a play by play about the ups and downs of what we thought was Tinder magic but turned into a dumpster fire. Of course we briefly talk about horoscopes and how we always surround ourselves with the same signs. Nicole asks Stephanie to describe her perfect girl and talk about how important it is to find someone who is honest. Is Carmen San Diego playing games? Is it hard to be honest during the dating process? How does everyone feel about Murder?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQOAvNz5Mpc

Published on June 14, 2019

Operation Gemini Part 2

The legend of Operation Gemini continues. As if she couldn't do any worst she tops the charts with the worst texts of all time combined with late-night self-centered dates. Stephanie replays the last mission with Gemini and the disappointment that is dating in 2019. Lesbian Zodiac Killer, Sex, Love, Instagram PI Work, Murder Mysteries, and the one Nicole calls Carmen San Diego. We get into a play by play about the ups and downs of what we thought was Tinder magic but turned into a dumpster fire. Is Carmen San Diego looking for casual or disposable sex? Is it hard to be honest during the dating process? Is this op finally done?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFrLfG8WBD0

Published on June 26, 2019

Lesbian Squad Goals

We can't be the only ones dreaming of that perfect lesbian friend group. Tune in to hear Stephanie's idea of the most diverse lesbian squad and Nicole's lesbian run utopian town. We are talking lesbian energy, friend groups, and as always how hard it is to find lesbian friends and lovers. Are you friends with people of one sexuality over another? Would you live in a town populated with only one kind of sexuality? What does your perfect squad look like?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3g3bMqvMTk

Published on August 2, 2019

Femme Lesbian Struggles

The #femmelesbian struggle is real and we speak about it in this episode of the podcast. Femme Lesbians often talk about how they are erased in the world and community. Could it be the link between heterosexuality and femme women’s style? What are femme lesbians able to do to get others to know they are a part of the QBLTIA+ community? Check out the video and let’s get a conversation going about our femme sisters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvUBacKuO_0

Published on August 9, 2019

Dating Turn Offs

Can one be satisfied with getting laid even if their partners do not excite them? Is the myth women only like bad choices true? A short pow wow between Stephanie and Nicole reveals Stephanie is aware she goes for the worst women but just finds so much pleasure in the chase. Can she change her choosey ways and find a good stable woman to tame her wild way?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYiCJEWApYg

Published on August 31, 2019

Bisexual Celibacy

Can a person be naked in the heat of passion and identify with the lifestyle choice of Celibacy? Stephanie shares an interesting story about a night with a Bisexual friend. She met this friend from the totally reliable dating app Bubble. Celibacy is defined by the iPhone 11 as the state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations. Is that what had happened lol? Have you or have you ever met someone who has been successful with Celibacy? How does everyone feel about Bisexuals being top tier on the show?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPA_PFb_k7g

Published on September 20, 2019

WTF 2020

Stephanie in Portland and Nicole in Atlanta sit down and talk about where the world is with the Covid-19 virus. Part I in the series we talk about how we are handling the virus right now. How is everyone handling the virus and being in quarantine? Have you shared the show with anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2isgCr1woU

Published on April 10, 2020

GROSS STORIES

Part II in the series we talk about what isolation has done to the whole 2020 vibe and how gross people are acting. Stephanie in Portland and Nicole in Atlanta sit down and talk about where the world is with the Covid-19 virus. How is everyone handling the virus and being in quarantine? Have you shared the show with anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_qExFAcwfI

Published on April 11, 2020

REAL HEROES

Thanks to Stripers, delivery persons, healthcare pros, and teachers to name a few. Part III in the series we talk about the real heroes of the Coronavirus. Stephanie in Portland and Nicole in Atlanta sit down and talk about where the world is with the Covid-19 virus. We talk about creative ways to reach out to people and connect in a time of social distancing. How is everyone handling the virus and being in quarantine? Have you shared the show with anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ5N75kaUV4

Published on April 12, 2020

SELF LOVE

It's important to keep your mental health strong and your spirits up in these hard times. Part IV in the series we talk about things to pass the time and keep people out of depression. Stephanie in Portland and Nicole in Atlanta sit down and talk about where the world is with the Covid-19 virus. We talk about creative ways to reach out to people and connect in a time of social distancing. How is everyone handling the virus and being in quarantine? Have you shared the show with anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLudk3swzoc

Published on April 13, 2020

GOOD VIBES

There's always some good in bad situations. Part V in the series we talk about things that are good about the quarantine and our hopes for hot girl summer. Stephanie in Portland and Nicole in Atlanta sit down and talk about where the world is with the Covid-19 virus. We talk about creative ways to reach out to people and connect in a time of social distancing. How is everyone handling the virus and being in quarantine? Have you shared the show with anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnOxnUmJL7k

Published on April 16, 2020

2020 Woke

What does it mean to be a "woke" person in the year 2020? We spend most of our lives working our jobs and trying to get by that we miss so much. We are sleep to the issues of the world and how trapped we are in a loop so we can ignore them. Stephanie and Nicole discuss the awakening of the masses because of the lack of 40 hour work week. Now that everyone can pay attention to what's going on in the world what will they do with this new knowledge? Do you stay asleep afraid of the change that could set you and others free?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19IcQHyZaoc

Published on June 15, 2020

Protest Gemini

Long time fans of the show should know if you see the word Gemini in the title it's going to be a crazy one. The Gemini Magnet Stephanie of course has another encounter with a Gemini. Who would have guessed it's the original murder she wrote Gemini herself?!? Stephanie recounts seeing Gemini Carmen again while out of quarantine and also seeing all her past hott girl summer flings. Can she be proud of how she handled running into an old hookup? Is running into Gemini Carmen a sign of the times?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smh6x5jq-PE

Published on June 16, 2020

Racist Parents

Growing up a minority in America is hard. A lot of children grow up being prepared for a racist world by racist parents. Racism is such a parasite it is in everyone. Racism isn't just a black and white issue, it’s an issue within each race. Racism is taught and it can be so hidden a person can't recognize it until they have the knowledge of something different. Stephanie and Nicole discuss cultural differences with our parents and the difficulties with mixed-matched morals. Shouldn't you trust the people who you love and you think care about you? Is their judgement always right and best for you? How do you tell them they are wrong and have a conversation?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQttekUA24g

Published on June 17, 2020

All Protest Matter

How are some people allowed to protest with guns and other protests are controlled by Police violence and Police using guns? This episode Stephanie and Nicole talk about the protests going in Atlanta Georgia and Portland Oregon for the Black Lives Matter Movement. We share stories about the protests, police force on people of color, and how racism needs to talked about and people need to wake up and educate themselves. Is it enough to just not be racist? Should you know the history of racism so that you can educate others and know how to combat it when the time comes?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny_wS-Nw-UA

Published on June 18, 2020

BLM Protest Matter

Racism, protests, looting, brutality, and who knows what's next. Stephanie and Nicole discuss the horror that is 2020 and the treatment of people during peaceful protests. Hear stories from the protests in Atlanta and Portland. Stephanie and Nicole discuss the heated topic of racism is America right now. Views about the Black Lives Matter Movement being the most important news, racism within the community, stories from protests, personal racist encounters, and more come up in this series. As people of color, Stephanie and Nicole offer their unique perceptive on what it means to be experiencing this important moment in our history. How does everyone feel about the protests? What about the police state we call America? Any police sad about the way your profession is treating Black people and everyone in general? Let's peacefully discuss what's going on right now in the comments below?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxsfq-Z3lOE

Published on June 19, 2020

Wuz Up 2020

2020 the Coronavirus, Covid - 19, call it what you want, it's still around and dangerous in the USA. This isn't a normal catching up show. Stephanie and Nicole discuss masks, protests, and what's going on in Atlanta Georgia and in Portland Oregon. Is it easy to get a test in your community? Has the Pandemic changed your job for the worst? Are people being too cautious and this is all a hoax? Let's talk about the worst time in history in the comments below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asW_WWhcEXA

Published on September 26, 2020

2020 Dating Rules

2020 the Coronavirus, Covid - 19, call it what you want, it's still around and dangerous in the USA. This isn't a normal dating story show. Stephanie and Nicole discuss masks during dates, dating ideas, and the important questions to consider before entering the dating field in 2020. Stephanie shares her concerns with dating during the pandemic and the more serious terms. Do you think it's risky to date while Covid-19 so easy to catch? Can we trust strangers to be honest about how they are preventing coronavirus transmission? Let have a weird sterile discussion about the virus and dating during this Pandemic in the comments below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clvB1-gIkqo

Published on September 30, 2020

Dating Bipolar

My wife and I worked at the same restaurant for two years before we started dating. Discovering the love of your life right under your nose is one thing but finding out she is bipolar is another. Stephanie and Nicole talk about what it's like to date someone with Bipolar Disorder. I talk about if given the chance again would I continue to date and fall in love with my wife. Would a serious physical or mental disorder change how you feel and your relationship with someone you're dating? Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who had major health obstacle in their life?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd6U_DJaBgs

Published on October 4, 2020

Fire 2020

2020 is still hitting hard. Stephanie and Nicole talk about the new way society is in 2020. We are catching up on what it's like in the job market in 2020 and the bizarre ways you can get the fire stamp from a job in 2020. Nicole talks about her family in Georgia and what they are going through at work in 2020. We want everyone to remember how important mental help is in 2020. Everyone is struggling 2020 so we need ways to figure how to deal with an increase in major situations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1dzHdV2rHc

Published on October 11, 2020

Leave 2020

Is the USA a huge conspiracy or is our news media feeding us hoax after hoax? Stephanie and Nicole talk about why California is just a fire zone for the new 5G tower state and other crazy conspiracies that make us want to leave the USA. We discuss the land down under and Canada as the new options to start our all Queer utopia. What kind of crazy conspiracies have you heard? Is it safe to stay in the USA or should all Queer folk leave? If we do leave where would we migrate and start a new society?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvKKfdiaPJM

Published on October 17, 2020

Help 2020

So many people need help in 2020. The year is still hitting hard. Stephanie and Nicole talk about how things are still changing in 2020. We are shouting out to the people and jobs that have be giving us life and help in 2020. We talk about the future and how covid-19 is going to shape what 2020 and beyond is going to be like for society. We talk about the vaccine and the fight for a breaking point in covid-19 and the struggle in 2020. We talk about the future of 2020 in this show, what are your predictions for the rest of 2020? Will you be getting the vaccine in 2020?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLzCMXaaeJM

Published on October 24, 2020

[heavencollins]

A Portrait of Longing: Looking into the eyes of Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Every phenomenal queer film seems to end with a long shot of one of the beloved characters crying.  Does that mean all people in the LGBT+ family are meant for a perpetual life of disaster?  Or is it simply painting a portrait of what it means to be part of this group during certain points in history?

There have been many period piece films in the past decade about various LGBT+ relationships; Carol, BPM, Call Me By Your Name, The Handmaiden, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Knives + Heart. And the newest edition to that family: Portrait of a Lady on Fire.  Directed by Celine Sciamma, a French, lesbian director and screenwriter, Portrait paints a picture of lesbian longing in 18th century France.  The film premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Palme d’Or (ultimately losing to Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite), and won both best screenplay and the Queer Palm.  But what makes Portrait of a Lady on Fire different from any other queer film? It’s steadfast portrayal of longing.

The film opens with Marianne teaching her drawing class a lesson on figure drawing. She sits at the front of the classroom, elegantly posed, telling them to take their time—to look at her hands. Her hands are rested on her lap, before they start to seize up as she notices a painting in the back of the room. A student brought out a forbidden painting, a painting Marianne calls A Portrait of a Lady on Fire. We see the titular portrait less than five minutes into the film, before it jumps into the past. Suddenly, Marianne is on a boat to the island of Brittany, where she is set to paint Heloise, a woman who needs her portrait done so she can be married off. The boat journey is rough and the way it’s shot nauseates you as if you’re on the boat with her. It’s near claustrophobic. 

Heloise isn’t aware of Marianne being a painter, though. This act of deception is not rare in LGBT+ films, as it’s happened in films like The Handmaiden and Knife + Heart in the past. It’s a common thematic element, as it helps the two leading ladies grow closer together. 

But their friendship never feels forced. Heloise is told that Marianne is her new walking companion, a friend for her to go outside with as her mother doesn’t let her out of the house alone anymore. During their walks, Marianne studies Heloise, and Heloise seemingly studies Marianne back. Their eyes are the first open gate of their longing for one another. At one point, Heloise looks at Marianne and says: “You can choose. That’s why you don’t understand me.” as Marianne isn’t forced to get married like Heloise is.

But there’s something deeper brewing underneath the surface.

Portrait begs the question of what the importance of true love is. While it’s set in France, it’s still the 18th century, and these two could never be together permanently. Well, or at the very least publically. They take advantage of the time that they do get together, though, when Heloise’s mother makes a journey to Milan for a week. 

I’ve found myself making the joke that Portrait of a Lady on Fire is what happens when you put two LGBT+ people in quarantine together, because, well, that’s basically what happens to the two of them. There’s something beautiful about this film, and it may just be in the way that it’s shot, or the way the story is told. It seems that a lot of queer films often showcase explicit sexual scenarios, especially foreign films, but this one just...leaves it to our imagination. There’s something tender about it, something that provides a deep sense of intimacy behind every moment Heloise and Marianne share together. This is a film made for the community it’s about unlike other lesbian films that seem to cater to a straight, male gaze. 

Overall, I found myself more moved by this film than I have been by any other LGBT+ romance films in the past. While other films in this genre tend to have large age gaps, a tremendous amount of trauma porn, or just feel pornagraphic, Portrait paints a portrait of what life was most likely like back in 18th century France. It doesn’t romanticize the time period in a dangerously weird way, but it doesn’t highlight the fact that these two women could be exiled for life either—because as the viewers, Sciamma trusted us to know that already. I loved not being spoonfed everything, and the format of which the story is told is bookended perfectly.

We start at the end, just as great works like Baldwin’s novel Giovanni’s Room does. We know from the start that the relationship between Heloise and Marianne is not one that lasts, but it’s one that leaves a profound impact on Marianne at the very least. At the end, we get the satisfaction of knowing what happened to both of them without feeling as if neither are happy in their current lives. There is no kill your gays troupe present, and the film should be applauded for such.

[scannain]

#Festival: GAZE LGBT Film Festival opens 26th Festival

The GAZE LGBT Film Festival officially opened tonight at Light House Cinema with the Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring in attendance as special guest of honour. The 26th festival opened with the Irish premiere of Riot, which charts and celebrates the history of LGBT activism in Australia, telling the story of the roots of Mardi Gras – particularly timely given that nation’s endorsement of marriage…

[a-taste-of-the-sky]

Duck Butter is the First Film that Made Me Feel Truly Seen and Understood as a Queer Woman

This is a big claim, but it’s true.

Duck Butter, an indie dramedy, was released April, 2018. It stars Alia Shawkat and Laia Costa, was written by Alia Shawkat and Miguel Arteta, and is directed by Miguel Arteta. Though the film received mixed reviews from critics, Alia Shawkat was awarded Best Actress at the Tribeca Film Festival for her performance.

CREDIT: VULTURE.COM

The premise of the movie is that two women named Naima (Shawkat) and Sergio (Costa) meet and decide to do an experiment where they spend 24 sleepless hours together, and having sex every hour on the hour.

The two talk about how they have both been disappointed by falseness in previous relationships. This prompts Sergio to say, "I want to know you, for real. I want 24 hours and I want to come with you every hour . . . I want to see you taking a shit and getting angry . . . we can do it. We can fucking skip time."

This decision essentially fast forwards their relationship, and their intimacy, so they can see each other’s flaws, and also see each other getting angry and sad. So they can get to know each other "for real." However, the two barely know each other when they decide to do this experiment, and things don't exactly go as planned.

As a gay woman, I’m always looking for media that represents my experience when it comes to life and love. However, when it comes to LGBT+ media, I am often disappointed. For one, more films are dedicated to a queer male experience than a queer female experience. (I should also note that there are more films dedicated to gay or bisexual experiences, than transgender or nonbinary experiences; trans and nonbinary people are definitely lacking in representation as well.) There are also often bad tropes that pop up in films centering on sexuality. Gay people often die, or cheat, or hate their gayness and struggle to come out. And when a queer person finds love in a same-sex relationship, AND has a happy ending, AND the movie has quality writing, acting, and production, it almost feels like a miracle. I feel like at this point, I’m almost always expecting a subpar LGBT+ movie, and I’m pleasantly surprised when the movie is well done. So when I do see a quality LBGT+ film, especially about queer woman, I make note of it, and try to tell people about it.

Duck Butter is my favorite LGBT+ movie, that I’ve ever seen -- and I’ve seen a lot of them. This is (1) because I think it is a quality, artistic film, that explores interesting questions, and (2) because of the fact that I finally felt like I could see my own queer, female experience reflected back to me onscreen.

That being said, I’m not going to claim that every woman who loves women (or every LGBT+ person) will love this movie. Sometimes it’s sad, sometimes it’s uncomfortable, and sometimes it's shocking. I also don't think everyone will love the way it ends. But this movie doesn't shy away from the intense parts of relationships; it leans in.

This movie made me feel seen and understood as a queer woman because of how real, and how normal, the two queer women interacting felt to me.

CREDIT: COURTESY OF TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL

The two elements that made Duck Butter feel the authentic to me, especially where other movies failed, was the conversation in the movie, and the sex.

Conversation: In other movies that depict queer women in relationships, I’ve often felt that there was not enough conversation -- and maybe even little or no conversation -- where the characters got to know each other deeply. I’ve noticed that there’s often a focus on the physicality of attraction. In movies like Kiss Me, the lack of serious conversation between the two women in a relationship seems to imply that the intensity of physical attraction will overcome anything they would need to talk about, or that their relationship is somehow inevitable. The lack of deep conversation in other films showing women in relationships always bothered me. The conversation in Duck Butter, though, is not only there, it's constant. The conversations are sometimes deep and meaningful, sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes intense, sometimes meandering and playful. But the dialogue between Naima and Sergio allows these characters to become known to each other, as well as the audience, in a way that I haven't often seen before in films depicting queer women. I think by making conversation between Naima and Sergio such a strong part of the film, Duck Butter seems to say that conversation IS important in relationships, same-sex or otherwise. It shows that people DO need to talk a lot, and talk through difficult things, in order to try to start a relationship with one another.

Sex: The other big reason I loved this movie was the the way queer women’s sexuality was portrayed, and how it lacked the male gaze. I've often felt that sex scenes in other lesbian movies are unrealistic, often made either too innocent, or overly sexual in ways that appeal to the male gaze. Duck Butter, however, felt different to me. The film is full of sex, nudity, and discussions of sex, but it always feels safe and intimate, and most importantly, made for queer women. This feeling was created intentionally, and discussed prior to shooting, by Shawkat, Costa, and the Director of Photography, Hillary Spera (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6m460lrjOuc). Shawkat is also out as bisexual in real life, and her knowledge as a queer woman seems to have greatly impact how this movie was made. It shows gay sex and intimacy in ways that feel normal -- in other words, in a way straight people always expect (and get) to see themselves represented on screen. The movie is also never about the characters’ struggles with their queer identities, simply about two people navigating love and sex, in a way that made me, a lesbian, feel seen and understood.

I also liked how this movie depicted queer women’s loneliness, and desire for something real, and I liked how it asks important questions about love and relationships. I also really appreciated the quality of the writing, acting, and production. 

This movie was a super important one for me as an LGBT+ person, because of the authenticity I saw in the actors’ performances of love between two women. It really portrays these women and their relationship as something normal and beautiful, and interesting to explore. It definitely gets intense and weird at times, but I really valued the realness of it, and it’s something that made me feel seen. If you are LGBT+ as well, or value authentic representation in movies, I would recommend it.

And even if you don’t watch it, or don’t enjoy it as much as I did, I think the fact that movies like this are being released now, is an indication of how far we’ve come, and how we’re headed in the right direction in the future, in terms of authentic LGBT+ representation.

[profeminist]

“This is the 26th year of the GAZE international LGBT film festival in Ireland. Every summer, the festival curates a selection of the most important queer films of the past year, showing a range of award-winning pieces from other festivals like Berlinale, as well as some exclusive Irish premieres. “When GAZE Film Festival (then the Dublin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival) was first established, homosexuality was still criminalised in Ireland”, the festival’s programmer Roisin Geraghty tells Dazed. “From these rather radical roots, GAZE has become a significant international player on the LGBT film festival circuit, promoting greater visibility of queer artistic voices on screen and celebrating the power of LGBT stories.”

This year’s festival put a specific spotlight on Australian queer film, honouring the parallels between Ireland and Australia’s recent marriage equality battles. Ireland in the past five years has been a place of constant, progressive, political upheaval, and now as the dust settles, it’s the perfect setting in which to get a snapshot of queer identity in 2018. What are our anxieties, our fears, our hopes for the future? Here are five of the best from the festival.

Read the list and watch the trailers here

[samanthasart110]

Week 7 - Artist - Nan Goldin & Annie Leibovitz

Nan Goldin is an American photographer. She enjoys focusing her photography on LGBT bodies, intimacy, HIV, and the opioid epidemic. These are rather personal, controversial topics which is always challenging to put forward as an artist. Her work is now most often presented in slideshow form at film festivals and events. Her photos capture natural, vivid moments of girls looking in mirrors, drag queens, sexual acts, and so on. The images are almost as if they have come from someones private photo collection.

Annie Leibovitz is also an American photographer, but focuses mainly on produced portraits. She emphasizes celebrities in intimate, natural settings. She is now considered a living legend, having photographed numerous celebrities such as John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Her images are featured in widely-known magazines and publications, for example, The Rolling Stone.

This photo, titled U.S. Mens Olympic Water Polo Team, Culver City, California (Baywatch Tank), 1996, by Annie Leibovitz, is one of my favorites. I love the composition, that it is so full and your eyes can travel so many places throughout. Although it is a still photo, you can visualize the movement going on and see the flexed muscles insinuating action. It is also reminiscent of Renaissance statues almost, or angelical paintings. They are doing quick, strong movements, yet look graceful. I can definitely feel their strength and vigor through this photo. 

This photo, titled Yogo Putting on Powder, by Nan Goldin, is another favorite of mine. I love how unapologetically natural she is being infront of the camera. She is obviously getting ready for a drag performance and normally, would be posing in front of cameras and putting on their best self. But here we see her slouched over, makeup not yet finished, hair undone, and outfit not yet put on. It’s almost like a behind the scenes shot that not many people get to see. It almost normalizes that not everyone is perfect and all of the beautiful, perfect things you see on magazines or TV don’t always look like that. 

I don’t think that either style of portraits is more authentic. Although Nan’s photos capture intimate moments, Annie’s capture a persons essence as well. You can feel their life story through their gaze and see what they’ve been through by the texture of their skin and the wrinkles they’ve developed on their face. A story can be told simply by a close up of a face, or by catching a vulnerable moment. They are equally personal moments. 

I would choose Nan Goldin to take my environmental photo for me. I enjoy her candid style of catching people at raw, vulnerable moments. I feel like that way, you’re not always sure what you’ll get out of a photoshoot, whereas with Annie, having it be produced and manufactured isn’t as flowing as I’d personally want. 

[hadarlaskey]

Open City Documentary Festival announces its most inclusive line-up ever

The London-based Open City Documentary Festival is all set and ready to launch online for its tenth edition as a result of lockdown measures. With 48 new films screening on their website between 9-15 September, they will be accompanied by a number of panels and interviews, as well as a trove of free short films, available on-demand throughout the festival period.

The announcement of the full programme reveals that 54 per cent of directors presenting new work identify as female or non-binary. Events include filmmaker Courtney Stephens’ presentation of ‘home travelogues’ shot by women in the 1920s, and masterclasses from director Maite Alberdi and editor Anne Fabini. With subjects ranging from ‘the colonial gaze’ to questions of authorship, it promises to engage with contemporary international issues.

The 2020 edition will feature four competitions, with feature films eligible for the Open City Award and the Emerging Filmmaker Award. In addition to the regular UK Short Award, this year’s festival will also introduce an International Short Award as access to the festival’s programme will be available to stream worldwide for the first time.

There will also be an online version of their AR/VR/XR+ ‘Expanded Realities’ exhibition with browser-based access featuring work from Tamara Shogaolu, Ingvild Isaksen, and Henrietta Williams which will take audiences to space, via lockdown London, and the experience of LGBT+ asylum seekers. It certainly seems Open City is taking this opportunity to pioneer new and accessible screening experiences while offering exciting new points of view.

Open City Documentary Festival runs 9-15 September. For more info visit opencitylondon.com

The post Open City Documentary Festival announces its most inclusive line-up ever appeared first on Little White Lies.

source https://lwlies.com/festivals/open-city-documentary-festival-2020-programme/

[charlenelouise-gdc]

Personal Practice:

London Film Festival 2019: Review

2 - 13 October 2019. This is potentially one of my favourite times of the year.

For me, its such an important period in my calendar - not only professionally but personally. I find film festivals a wonderful way of watching or accessing films. There is almost an organic way to it: seeing it with fresh eyes, everyone being in the same boat or seeing it before everyone else, not influenced by other people’s comments or opinions (on the film being screened). It allows me to have a pure experience with the film. I am able to cultivate my own ideas on it and evaluate it later on down the line. It feels much more like a richer experience.

Also, I simply love the buzz that it involves. The conversations had, emotions shared and the people you meet. From the screenings to the red carpet, I feel like there is a good sense of community. I find festivals a wholesome, exciting experience. Also, I feel a lot closer to my aspirations as a filmmaker in this setting. It makes me feel hopeful.

Most importantly, it reminds me why I love the art form in the first place. Being united by one thing before them and seeing the natural reaction among crowds, this is something rare - especially in a world that often feels “lonely" and when there seems to be very little reason to be united about.

Of course, in the time of digital distribution and binge-watching, these new found ways of distribution has its own positives. This is particularly true in reach; on demand viewing makes cinema a much more democratic experience. For instance, they enable niche, independent films to be seen by those who live in remote places or do not have access to independent cinemas without the need of travelling to major cities like London or New York. Both methods of viewing, on demand and via the cinema, are equally important and has their own strengths. At the end of the day, as long as the film is being shown and reaches its audience - that’s all that matters. However, there is still must be said about the cinema experience and the magic it offers. In its darkness and the glow of the projector, you get to escape and enter another world momentarily - live out the ordinary you know of.  Film festivals, to me, is cinema viewing in its purest form and preserves that experience.

I was also lucky to be in the presence of the filmmakers themselves in some of my screenings. In the special presentations and Q+A sessions that followed the screening, they were able to contextualise their films and share the process behind the choices they make. I learned a lot from them and its a good educational experience.

In this year’s programme, I was able to watch the following films… I have also included some initial thoughts and comments from my notes for future reference.

Our Ladies (Dir. Michael Caton-Jones) - Drama/Comedy Heartwarming! Such a good feel-good film. Close to my heart as I come from Catholic education and has female friendship at the heart of it. It shows what good casting can do and proves it’s an equally important creative choice. The main ensemble really carried the film and a great part of what makes it so charming. Can’t wait to watch again!

The Lighthouse (Dir. Robert Eggers) - Horror/Drama Excellent, well-crafted sound design. Quite wild for an 8am viewing. The framing and composition of the image are done with great precision; it’s quite stunning to watch and I couldn’t look away despite feeling sheer terror at times.

Make Up (Dir. Claire Oakley) - Psychological Drama Unfortunately unable to finish the film due to scheduling conflict. Promising story against a holiday park backdrop and brings to light seaside small town life (which is often overlooked). Interesting blend of genre. 

Premature (Dir. Eashaad Ernesto Green) - Drama Most disliked film from my viewing. Although I appreciate the authentic portrayal/visibility of Black youth in what seems to be an alternative of New York city life (away from the glamourised, white lens), the story is so underwhelming. Too tragic at times and pacing was dull. Lots of unnecessary shots (especially during intimate scenes) that served no purpose aside from catering to the male gaze - a complete disservice to the strong female lead its meant to be portray.

House of Us (Dir. Yoon Ga-eun) - Drama/Family A tender story. Told from children’s point of view which is so refreshing to watch; it served as a nice reminder that children are whole people too, with their own thoughts and valid feelings - which I often forget. As a society, we often disregard them for being dependent or “incomplete”. Although I found myself being annoyed at the children, the film really makes you empathetic. Colour grading is divine; has a childlike brightness that honours the story and the lens its being told. Followed similar style to “Florida Project”, where a lot of the image is shot a low height to resemble children’s perspective.

Marriage Story (Dir. Noah Baumbach) - Drama/Comedy-Drama Good performances from Johansson and Driver. I particularly loved the opening as it symbolised the beginning of the end for the couple. It had a wonderful attention to detail too (the letters). Baumbach is a good screenwriter and hits the lines where its suppose to be (e.g. fight at the apartment near the end of the film, although Charlie says such childish things - its reflective of the truth/a natural reaction to such event).

The Kingmaker (Dir. Lauren Greenfield) - Documentary/Drama About Philippine politics. Made me feel so angry as it hits so close to home, which still affect me and my family today. Clever structure. It begins by almost mocking Imelda Marcos which gives it  a comedic effect and a lighthearted touch - necessary to tackling a heavy subject. However, it unravels slowly and leaves you with a gut punch feeling in the end, hitting you cold hard facts and what reality is for the ordinary Filipino people - away from Imelda’s rich and flamboyant world. It made me want to start a revolution.

The Disappearance of My Mother (Dir. Beniamino Barrese) - Documentary A story told in a such loving lens. An interesting study on the relationship (of Benedetta Barzini) with the camera - especially as a model and now through her filmmaker son’s lens. Raises the questions: how to be seen, how would you like to be seen, to what level or depth you can actually be seen. Nice mix of archive and interviews. I like the imperfect shots the most where the filmmaker just carries the camera - shaky, unbalanced; it makes it feel more intimate.

And Then We Danced (Dir. Levan Akin) - Romance/Drama Warm and tender. Beautiful colour grading that matched the essence of the film - delightful yellow tones. Such an important story to tell and captured the zeitgeist of today (lgbt love story/coming of age in one of the most orthodox countries in the world - Georgia). Respectful portrayal of Georgian dance and traditions; shown with honour and pride. Closing scene is so moving and strong; it captures him coming to terms with his identity - both as a dancer and as a queer person. The desire told in this story is multifaceted - his desire to become the best dancer and his desire for Irakli.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Dir. Céline Sciamma) - Romance/Drama A compelling story. I’m always fascinated by strong stories that is held together by a small ensemble or little cast. It reminds me that as long as you have a solid story and characters with depth, you don’t need a lot to make it a fulfilling and rememberable. Bursting with colour. Every frame feels like a painting. The cinematography has a beautiful kind of stillness; I appreciate this so much as it feels like a complete antithesis to society/our current way of life. So refreshing to see the female gaze in its full glory. Closing scene is so moving and powerful - similar to Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name. This really stayed with me.

Overseas Documentary (Dir. Yoon Sung-A) - Documentary Interesting background - Belgian/French production about a Filipino story, told by a Korean director. I really enjoyed the observational eye this documentary is told; allowing the story unfold by itself. It enabled the people to tell their story; the most authentic and truthful lens.

Lingua Franca (Dir. Isabel Sandoval) - Drama Promising work from Sandoval. Another important story worth telling, especially since its a minority story (trans, undocumented woman in America, trying to get a Green Card/be legalised; how this is a dehumanising process). However, I find that it focused too much on tragedy. Also, editing felt off at times or left too ambiguous.

Matthias + Maxime (Dir. Xavier Dolan) - Drama A pretty loud film. Lots of talking. Production Design is kind of weird as it doesn’t put a timestamp on the story (not sure if it was the 80s or early 2000s?). Perhaps this is to make the story timeless? But a part of me just found it a bit confusing. Strong casting and the ensemble is captivating to watch. I liked how the root of what happened to Matthias and Maxime wasn’t shown to show how it affected them after and the kiss wasn’t sensationalised. It made their kiss later on much more impactful (in relation to the build up). Nice story but not Dolan’s best.

Dogs Don’t Wear Pants (Dir. Jp. Valkeapää) - Drama Interesting experience. Offered a much more in-depth perspective on BDSM, on a personal/humanising standpoint that is beyond pleasure. Production Design was excellent. Cinematography is so precise and there’s a clear visual language shown. Hard story to get into and the pacing is quite slow, with a sudden rush near the end of the story.

Rocks (Dir. Sarah Gavron) - Drama/Youth Beautiful cast and has girls from minority backgrounds at the heart of its story - something that British cinema is yet to improve on. Interesting that the ensemble is made up of mainly non-actors to keep the youthful spirit alive. Making process is certainly interesting. However, the story is pretty much a given and I find that it focused too much on tragedy.

A Hidden Life (Dir. Terrance Malick) - War/Drama Slow cinema; nice contrast to the world and pace of life we all lead. Stunning cinema throughout: crisp sound design and cinematography feels like a painting, honouring nature and the environment. Really keep the senses alive. I like the use of the “active camera” (tracking shots, handheld), during the points of the film where it was the most joyful - it truly captured the beauty of life. Lots of upward shots, featuring the sky - something quite holy and feels omnipresent. I like how the bond between the husband and wife is portrayed by the letters, which carries the story forward - a nice technique.

Personal favourites:

Tier 1: Our Ladies, And Then We Danced, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Kingmaker Tier 2: Matthias + Maxime, Lingua Franca, The Lighthouse

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Additional viewings: Short Film - Programme 1 and 2 Programme 1: If I Knew / What do you know about the water and moon / White Girl / Fault Line / Gu04 / In Vitro Programme 2:

Algorithm / Between / In Between / Child / Watermelon Juice / Queering in Teknolojik

Seeing the Short Film Programme is also important in my professional development as its much more closer to where I am at in my practice. It showed me the kind of stories that are currently being told by my contemporaries and opens me up to new techniques or alternative ways of storytelling. Its always a eye opening experience and pushes me out of my comfort zone, widening my knowledge. It raises the questions: how can I do things differently? What makes this technique or story particularly strong? What do I like about this? What do I dislike about this? What are the key elements which makes me drawn to it. These questions and observations will help me shape and refine my practice. I hope to apply these in my next film and I look forward to what is next.

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In the following year, I look forward to attending Cannes Film Festival (May) and Sundance London (May/June). Film festivals continue to have a special place in my heart.

[french136]

La Vie d’Adèle

image de: https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-stars-of-blue-is-the-warmest-color-on-the-riveting-lesbian-love-story

La vie d’Adèle (2013) est un film d’Abdellatif Kechiche à propos Adèle, une adolescente qui lutte avec sa sexualité. Dans un bar lesbien, Adèle a rencontré Emma, une étudiante d’art qui guide la jeune fille sur un voyage de découverte de soi. Les deux filles tombent amoureux mais elles rencontrent des problèmes et le crève-cœur.1

Des activistes LGBT et des féministes ont vu le film comme une victime du regard masculin. Une article de Autostraddle dit “The vision of this film comes from a straight male director whose uncomfortable consumption of the actresses’ bodies is hardly subtle.”2

La vie d’Adèle fait son début au Festival de Cannes en 2013 où il a gagné le « Palm D’Or. » Le film était libéré en France en 9 Octobre 2013 et aux États-Unis en 25 Octobre 2013. Le film était vu comme controversé pour ses longues scènes de sexe et a reçu un rating de NC-17 aux États-Unis.3

1: “Blue Is The Warmest Color: The Male Gaze Reigns Supreme.” Autostraddle, 6 Nov. 2013. www.autostraddle.com, https://www.autostraddle.com/blue-is-the-warmest-color-the-male-gaze-reigns-supreme-203158/.

2: Stern, Marlow. “The Stars of ‘Blue Is the Warmest Color’ On the Riveting Lesbian Love Story.” The Daily Beast, 1 Sept. 2013. www.thedailybeast.com, https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/01/the-stars-of-blue-is-the-warmest-color-on-the-riveting-lesbian-love-sory-and-graphic-sex-scenes.

3: “Blue is the Warmest Color: The Male Gaze Reigns Supreme”

[apocalypticmovierp]

Slight But Spirited LGBT Romance ‘Several Conversations About A Very Tall Girl’ [Transilvania Review]

You could be forgiven for grimacing at the very notion of “Romanian Mumblecore.” And if Bogdan Theodor Olteanu‘s debut feature were a mixture of the least appealing associations of both terms — some sort of unholy amalgam of the lo-fi, unrefined navel-gazing of mumblecore and the sometimes dour social realism of the Romanian New Wave — it would indeed be a slog. But instead, “Several Conversations About A Very Tall Girl,” which played at the Transilvania International Film Festival and next will show up in Edinburgh, melds the strengths of all these influences to deliver a delightful, insightful sliver of a thing that feels both New Wave-authentic and airily spontaneous.

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