Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival‘s mission “to challenge attitudes and change lives through the promotion, production and exhibition of queer film” is one of the reasons I attend and support this festival. Year after year, they bring us some interesting, moving, funny, and poignant films from around the globe. This year is no different…
As I usually try to do, I’ve compiled a list of films that I’m hoping you’ll take in.
Opening Night – Thursday, May 23rd
IN THE NAME OF – Małgośka Szumowska (Poland)
Father Adam (Andrzej Chyra) is the spiritual head of a small parish in rural Poland where he also oversees a centre for troubled teenage boys. He leads with a stern hand and a sympathetic ear, earning the respect of his charges. Against this backdrop, his personal temptations emerge.
Satuday, May 25th
UNA NOCHE – Lucy Molloy (UK/Cuba/USA)
This is the debut feature by director Mulloy. Trapped inside the desperate repression of Havana, volatile and young Raul dreams of escaping to Miami. When he is accused of assaulting a Western tourist, he decides it is time to attempt his flight. Working both as a social issue film and as a gripping thriller, Una Noche focuses on one sweltering day and follows it through to its shocking climax.
VALENTINE ROAD – Marta Cunningham (USA)
This powerful, thoughtful and tragic documentary tells the story of the 2008 killing of Lawrence “Larry” King, a diminutive grade eight student who wore makeup and heels to his southern California middle school. After Larry publicly declared a Valentine’s crush on 14-year-old classmate Brandon McInerney, Brandon shot Larry point-blank in the back of the head in the school’s computer lab.
**This film also played at Hot Docs a few weeks ago, and it made it to my top 10 list. It’s a film that will create all types of reactions, and rightly so.
Sunday, May 26th
G.B. F. – Darren Stein (USA)
When a hook-up app mishap outs the unassuming Tanner (Michael J. Willet, The United States of Tara) as Northgate High’s first openly gay student, the uneasy truce between the school’s trio of clique queens dissolves into comic chaos as each battles to acquire the season’s hot new accessory – the Gay Best Friend.
Monday, May 27th
WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW – Arwin
This is a whimsical romantic comedy that centres on two Taiwanese couples who are trying to navigate the rocky road of love amid emotional and sexual upheaval. Optician Weichung is married to office clerk Feng. The couple have one child and Feng yearns to have another. But Weichung is restless and unfulfilled—and he’s not the only one.
Closing Night – Sunday, June 2nd
I STAND CORRECTED – Andrea Meyerson (USA)
This documentary focuses on the true story of jazz bass virtuoso, Jennifer Leitham, formerly known as John Leitham, who risked everything to be her true self when she transitioned publicly during the height of her career. The film is an intimate study of Leitham’s life and explores the fears she wrestled with as she rose through the ranks of the jazz world, and celebrates the joy she discovered after embracing her female identity.
ALICE WALKER: BEAUTY IN TRUTH – Pratibha Parmar (USA/UK)
Poet/author/feminist/civil rights movement activist Alice Walker finds herself in a firestorm of controversy. Wedged between the crosshairs of two struggles, sexism and racism, Walker retreats to what she does best – write. Award-winning director, Pratibha Parmar, crafts a marvellously captivating portrait that delicately peels back layer upon layer, delivering deeply into the art and soul of one of the most socially transformational writers of our times.
These are but a few of the vast list of films at this year’s festival. There are also some very interesting short film programmes as well. For full details, go to the festival’s website.
