Duration: 95 min
Lesbian International Mix 2
Gay International Mix 1
Duration: 75 min
Gay International Mix 2
Duration: 75 min
International Trans Mix 1
Duration: 80 min
International Trans Mix 2
Duration: 70 min
I Trust You
Susana and Nélida met in their youth in a convent, fell in love and abandoned their calling. The two built a home together, adopted 3yo Erika, and lived a happy life on the family farm. But in 2006 the two were charged with murder and were sentenced to 20 years in prison, in what became a sensational media event, combining nuns, lesbians, jealousy, rivalry, prejudice, politics, corruption and parenthood. Many things happened since then – Nelida came out as a trans man, and is now Daniel, Erika is 24yo and visits her parents in prison, while they still plead innocence.
Director Agustin Toscano who has been following the couple since 2019, is bending the rules of documentary cinema and brings to the screen a humane drama of a family behind bars. He combines documentary filmmaking with professional acting and adds original musical pieces, and most importantly – he does not judge his subjects in any way.
This is an original and forceful piece of cinema.
High Tide
Brazilian tourist Lourenço is left behind when his American boyfriend deserts him in Provincetown at the end of the summer season. Lourenço passes the time with random hookups, talking to the locals who hire him to do maintenance and flirting with a hot tourist named Maurice (James Bland). Lourenço has to decide how to deal with shadows of his past that won’t let go and the harsh reality of being an undocumented immigrant in the USA.
In his debut film, director Marco Calvani puts Brazilian actor Marco Pigossi (“Gen V”, “Invisible City”) at the heart of a sexy and melancholic story about an immigrant after an unexpected breakup. Alongside Pigossi you’ll find Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei, Bill Irwin (“Rustin”) and Mya Taylor (“Tangerine”).
Marco Calvani created a thoughtful and daring film that raises questions on queer life in the modern world.
Sultana’s Dream
Ines is an artiste who travels to India and finds a novel by Begum Rokeya Hossain in a book shop. Begum Rokeya was a Bengali feminist philosopher and writer. Her sci-fi novella “Sultana’s Dream” was published in 1905, and tells of a feminist utopia Ladyland, where women have all the power while men take care of the household. Ines, inspired by the novel, searches for a place where women can live peacefully, away from the world of men.
Short film director Isabel Herguera in her first feature film, with three distinctive animation styles: Begum Rokeya story is told through shadow animation, Ines’ journey is depicted with water colors and Ladyland is designed using traditional Mehndi prints.
The result, interlaced with traditional Indian music, is breathtaking and inspiring.
Courtesy of The Hive Distribution
Gondola
In the mountains of west Georgia, a rural community relies on a pair of cable cars that connect two sides of a steep valley. Iva returns to her home village following the death of a relative and takes up a job operating one of the cable car gondolas. She forms a long distance friendship with Nina, the operator of the other gondola. In time, those aerial meetings turn to naughty flirting between the two young women and then deepen into love.
This strange romance is wordless, but has a very unique and original cinematic vision from writer/director Veit Helmer. It is a delightful piece, very visually pleasing, full of fun and charming cinematic ideas. 82 minutes with no dialogue but with a lot of love for the art of cinema as well as its two wonderful heroines. In “Gondola” love truly floats between heaven and earth, and it is simply a film of pure fun.
In association with the Embassy of Germany
National Anthem
21yo Dylan is a day laborer and a farm hand who works hard to support his family and be a father figure to his younger brother. Dylan is trying to keep on an appearance of stability but there’s something missing in his life. When he gets a temporary job on a communal queer ranch he feels that for the first time he belongs. He finds friends and falls in love. Sky (trans actress Eve Lindley) is a rodeo performer and the partner of the macho ranch owner Pepe. The two are happy to share their bodies with Dylan, but maybe it won’t be enough.
Charlie Plummer shines as the lead with a very natural, quiet and confident performance. Cinematographer Katelin Arizmendi re-imagines the coming-of-age movie against the stunning backdrop of New Mexico. Director Luke Gilford’s debut film is a hallelujah song to the ultimate queer American dream showcasing the real-life International Gay Rodeo Association.
