The 22nd annual Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival is underway and its line up is looking very impressive this year. For 11 days, the festival will present more than 175 films and videos from Canada and around the world; as well as artist talks, panel discussions, installations and parties that showcase. Lots to sample this year, for sure!
I have narrowed down my list and have a few suggestions for you…
Friday, May 18
The Perfect Family – 10pm
Dedicated churchgoer Eileen Cleary (Kathleen Turner) will bend over backwards to portray her dysfunctional brood as the Catholic ideal, even though her son (Jason Ritter) has just left his wife for the woman he really loves, and Eileen’ daughter Shannon (Emily Deschanel) is about to marry her lesbian lover.
The potential for humour amidst familly tension is sure to bring about some interesting post-film discussion plus the casting is looking very good.
Saturday, May 19
Call Me Kuchu – 4:45pm
If you missed this film at Hot Docs a few weeks back, you get a second chance. The documentary follows a group of brave activists that include the charismatic David Kato, who during filming was murdered for his refusal to hide his identity.
This may not be an easy film to watch at times but it’s about human rights, personal struggles and the need to continue fighting for these rights and one’s identity.
Sunday, May 20
Mosquita y Mari – 9:45pm
Set in LA’s Huntington Park neighbourhood, the film centres on 15-year-old Yolanda (Fenessa Pineda), whose strict Mexican parents expect their straight-A student daughter to stay out of trouble and eventually go to college.Yolanda has no problem with the plan until she spies Mari (Venecia Troncoso), the brooding teen who’s moved in across the street. What begins as an awkward friendship blooms into an intense relationship…
Glad to see some Latinas representing at this year’s festival. In a culture filled with rules and expectations, young women have to carefully navigate between these and their own need for freedom to express themselves as they truly are.
Monday, May 21
Madame X – 2:15pm
An over-the-top extravaganza, this film is a candy-coloured, camp-filled tale of a pre-op transsexual superhero who fights intolerance, all the while looking fierce and fabulous.
Okay, I must admit, I didn’t read the full description to add this one to my list. Over the top fight scenes? Check! Tongue-in-cheek humour? Check! Enough said.
Wednesday, May 23
Facing Mirrors – 7:15pm
Rana (Ghazal Shakeri) drives a taxi to support herself and her son after her husbands is incarcerated. To her chigrin, she picks up a fare that requires her to drive far out of Tehran. During this drive, she comes to know her passenger Adineh (Sheyesteh Irani), who is transgendered. Rana must deal with her own prejudices.
I’m always curious to see how the same issues are addressed across cultures. And it’s a reminder that no matter where we live, we encounter the same prejudices and that we must work towards abolishing them.
Friday, May 35
Cloudburst – 7:15pm
Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker play Stella and Dot. They have lived together for 31 years on the coast of Maine. When Dot’s granddaughter places the newly injured Dot in a nursing home and away from her mate, Stella must free Dot and make a dash for Nova Scotia, where gay and lesbian marriage is legal.
This was the opening film at this year’s Canadian Film Festival and I enjoyed it immensely. Dukakis and Fricker have great chemistry and not to mention a script filled with naughty humour that adds to the charm of the film. I hear director Thom Fitzgerald and Dukakis may be in attendance for this screening. I highly recommend you attend; I’m going again!
Sunday, May 27
I Am A Woman Now – 4:15pm
Five trans women, now in their seventies, offer a fresh perspective on trans identity and aging in this documentary. The film offers an intimate look at aging as seen from the viewpoint of five members of Europe’s early generation of post-op trans women.
I am quite interested in learning how these five women have overcome any challenges they encountered in their journey.
There are many, many more films at Inside Out. I also suggest checking out their Short Film Programs as they include films from Switzerland, Japan and other countries. For full listings, tickets and box info, go to www.insideout.ca/torontofestival.
