12 INDIE LGBTQ+ FILMS TO CELEBRATE QUEER STORIES YEAR-ROUND

1  -  BEAUTIFUL THING

Twenty-two years before a major film studio in the United States had the courage to release a romantic comedy about gay teenagers, British independent cinema gave us the wonderful Beautiful Thing. Released in 1996 and directed by English filmmaker Hettie MacDonald, this LGBTQ+ dramedy’s  screenplay was written by author Jonathan Harvey and, in turn, is based on his own homonymous original play. Beautiful Thing was, at first, produced solely with the intention of being broadcast on television, but it was so well received that it was later released in theaters. The film is set in the London suburbs and follows teenagers Jamie (Glen Berry) and Ste (Scott Neal), who are neighbors and schoolmates. Ste lives with his brother and his alcoholic father, who frequently beats him. Jamie lives with her mother, strong Sandra (played by an excellent Linda Henry). Moved by the mistreatment of her neighbor, Sandra invites Ste to stay at her house, sharing Jamie's room. Gradually, the two boys realize that there is something more between them.

2  -  The  Adventures  of  Priscilla,  Queen  of  the                 Desert




A milestone in worldwide LGBTQ+ cinema of the 90s, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a comedy-drama film and a road movie released in 1994. An Australian film written and directed by LGBTQ+ filmmaker Stephan Elliott, its plot follows two drag queens, Tick and Felicia, played by Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce respectively, and a transgender woman, Bernadette, played by Terence Stamp, as they travel through the Australian Outback from Sydney to a country town called Alice Springs. This adventurous trip takes place on a tour bus they nicknamed "Priscilla". Along the way, the three protagonists encounter various groups and individuals, some receptive and others homophobic and transphobic, and will deepen the friendship they nurture for one another as they learn more about each other and about themselves. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was an unexpected success around the world and its positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ people helped introduce LGBTQ+ themes and culture to a mainstream audience that was not used to this universe.

3  -  Shinjuku   Boys

Everybody knows the iconic US documentary Paris is Burning (if you don’t, please, do yourself a favor and go watch it), but there is a lesser known film that examines the lives of trans people on the other side of the world and deserves the same recognition. A landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema worldwide, Shinjuku Boys is an incredible documentary directed by British filmmakers Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams. The film largely takes place at the New Marilyn nightclub in Tokyo, Japan, where the hosts are transgender men. In this context, we follow the stories of Gaish, Kazuki and Tatsu, three trans men who live and understand their gender identities in different ways. The young women who visit the club often have relationships with them, but the underlying fear is whether these relationships will actually be able to withstand societal pressures, particularly expectations of getting married and having children. All three men deal with it in different ways and the documentary delves into their ways of seeing a world they don't exactly fit in.

4  -  My  Own  Private  Idaho




The film responsible for the emergence of the term “New Queer Cinema”, My Own Private Idaho is revolutionary and innovative in many ways. Written and directed by American filmmaker Gus Van Sant, the film is considered an LGBTQ+ classic that helped influence a wave of queer films in the early 90s. Inspired by Shakespeare, Mike Waters (played by an excellent River Phoenix) is a gay male escort who suffers from narcolepsy. His best friend Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves) is the rebellious son of a mayor who, despite being straight, has sex with other men for money, just like Mike. Together, the two friends travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in search of Mike's mother. Along the way, they use tricks for money and drugs, eventually attracting the attention of a wealthy benefactor and having unexpected adventures.

5  -  Happy  Together 

                                                                                                                                                                        This incredible drama from acclaimed director Wong Kar-Wai focuses on a troubled relationship between two men. One of the most praised films during the New Queer Cinema, the film is loosely inspired by the novel by Argentine Manuel Puig, The Buenos Aires Affair. It tells the story of a couple from Hong Kong who travel to Argentina with the intention to visit Iguazu Falls and renew their relationship. On the trip, the boys have a serious argument that puts an end to their relationship, which has been broken several times in the past. With the intention of raising money to return to Hong Kong, Lai Yiu-Fai (played by the amazing Tony Leung) starts working welcoming Taiwanese tourists to Buenos Aires, while her ex-boyfriend, played by the talented Leslie Cheung) starts living as a hustler. As is to be expected in a work by the fabulous Wong Kar-Wai, Happy Together is stylish, sexy and painful at the same time.

6  -  MOONLIGHT

                    

I could have mentioned here some other incredible American independent films that managed to be huge successes among critics and received acclaim in several film awards, like the unforgettable Brokeback Mountain and the masterfully crafted Carol. However, the first LGBTQ+ themed Best Picture winner at the Oscar (which is also the first all black cast film to do so), deserves this spot. The film, written and directed by Barry Jenkins, shows three moments in the life of Chiron, a poor young black man, raised by his problematic single mother. During his youth, Chiron is bullied for being an introverted boy and gradually discovers his sexuality. Moonlight is, above all, a poetic film. Both visually (with the strong and bright color tones used), and in the sound (the music and soundtrack are subtle and sad) of Moonlight create a surreal and extremely beautiful environment that contrasts with the harsh reality of Chiron.

7 -  TANGERINE

            

Tangerine tells the story of two transgender sex workers who live in Los Angeles: Sin-Dee and Alexandra, played by the amazing Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor, respectively. Sin-Dee, who just got out of jail, is explosive and impulsive, while Alexandra is centered and calm. When Sin-Dee hears that her boyfriend cheated on her with a cisgender woman, she goes on a crazy journey to find out what happened. In the midst of all this confusion, we follow friends Sin-Dee and Alexandra in their personal battles, traveling through the most diverse tribes and the most diverse scenarios of the city. Mixing fun scenes with dramatic moments, the film manages to humanize characters that are so often dehumanized by our society. In addition to an original and honest storyline, Tangerine excels in just about every aspect. The director, Sean Baker, shot the entire film on iPhones cameras, and the result, contrary to what one might imagine, was incredibly beautiful.

8 -  PARIAH

        

The 2011 film Pariah, directed and written by Dee Rees, is a powerful LGBTQ+ drama that follows 17-year-old Alike, played by Adepero Oduye, as she struggles with her sexuality and self-esteem in a tumultuous family environment. Alike faces immense pressure from her religious mother, portrayed by Kim Wayans, while her father, played by Charles Parnell, remains distant, choosing to ignore his daughter's sexual identity. Isolated even among friends, Alike finds some solace in her friendship with Laura, a lesbian who encourages her to explore her identity. Despite this support, Alike feels out of place in her social circles and takes time to understand her identity, amidst growing chaos in her life. *Pariah* stands out for its authenticity, capturing the complex emotions of queer adolescence and the painful societal judgments faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. The film’s realistic dialogue, intimate cinematography, and personal storytelling create a poignant portrayal of queer experiences, making it a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema and a testament to Dee Rees's insightful direction.

9 -  MADAME  SATAN

        

One of the best examples of Brazilian cinema and one of the most exciting LGBTQ+ movies of the last decades, Madame Satã is inspired by the real story of João Francisco dos Santos, one of the most striking figures of Rio de Janeiro's nightlife in the 1930s and 1940s. Known as “Madame Satã”, João was black, homosexual crossdresser whose life was deeply connected with the subcultures of Rio’s most bohemian neighborhoods of the time. In addition to being an artist, Madame Satã was also known for their strong personality and the numerous fights they would end up taking part in, thus becoming an easy target for the police and spending several years in jail. The film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Karim Aïnouz, shows moments from the life of Madame Satã, their circle of friends and their long lasting influence on the culture of the time.

SHORT  FILMS

        

I will end this list with three great queer short films that also deserve our attention. A lot of times we think about movies and our minds go straight to feature length films, completely ignoring short films and the huge importance in this complex industry.

 The first of those three films is called True Mother, written and directed by Rotem Gabay. A very unique film that tells the story of a custody battle between two women that ends in the abduction of the child.

Next up we have Cariño, a Colombian animated short directed by Carlos Taborda, Ashley Williams, and Roshel Amuruz. It focuses on an LGBTQ+ love story where a boy is trying to catch the attention of the one he admires. Adorable in every single way!

And finally, we have the heist movie DragNostra, where a group of drag queens related to the Italian mafia decide to rob a bank! Exciting and fresh, this unique short film is an example of how queer cinema can be totally different from what we expect.