A couple weeks ago, we gave you a few recommendations on films presented at this year's Vancouver Queer Film Festival. We're now on day 5 of the 11-day festival, which just happens to be Vancouver’s second-largest film festival, and the biggest queer arts event in Western Canada!
Tonight the festival will be presenting a double-feature from this year's Spotlight Director, Jeanne Crépeau (who will be in attendance). Crépeau’s eclectic work has gained acclaimation at the National Gallery of Canada, the New York MoMa and film festivals around the world. Notably, Crépeau was the first openly lesbian filmmaker from Quebec, and one of the first Canadian women artists to explore queer themes in film.
The VQFF will be showing La fille de Montréal and Revoir Julie beginning at 7pm at the Cineplex Odeon International Village. For ticket information, check queerfilmfestival.ca.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ZgVTdOmVs
The Vancouver Queer Film Festival began in 1989 in advance of the 1990 Gay Games as Out On Screen: Vancouver’s Gay and Lesbian Film Festival? In 1996, the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival changed its name to the Vancouver Queer Film Festival – becoming first in the world to adopt the inclusive ‘queer’ title, incorporating all sexual orientations.
The Festival remains true to these roots, and for the second year in a row presents a set of films with the New Genderqueer Cinema Focus. The Opening Gala film Romeos, centred around a trans female-to-male character, was a perfect way to launch this year's festival!
Written and directed by Sabine Bernardi, Romeos follows Lukas (Rick Okon) after his move to Cologne, Germany—leaving behind his small hometown where he was raised as a girl. He soon discovers that being a 19-year-old trans man in the big city is full of new challenges (like being assigned a room in the women's dorm, and navigating the rough waters of attraction and rejection). The authenticity of Bernardi's script, and the exceptional acting from the young cast results in a refreshingly intimate film.
If you missed it on opening night, you might still have a chance to find tickets to the second screening on Thursday, Aug 23, 7pm at Cineplex Odeon International Village. Check the Queer Film Festival site, visit Little Sister's on Davie, or ask at the door.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylu92z_L0jM
Another film starring a trans character (played by trans actress Camila Sosa Villada), and one that's highly anticipated at the festival this year, is the Centrepiece Gala film, Mia (Thursday, Aug 23, 7pm and 9:30pm at Empire Granville 7).
Demure and kindly Alé makes her home in Villa Rosa, a queer shantytown on the outskirts of Buenos Aires; she makes her living collecting recyclables. While rummaging through trash, she finds the diary-sized suicide note of a woman named Mia. Compelled by Mia’s story, Alé becomes determined to find Mia’s eight-year-old daughter and return the diary—an endeavour that takes her unexpectedly into the home and hearts of the grieving family. Mia is about the capacity to love, to heal and to be a part of a chosen family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsWrzhgGgQE
Coming up on Friday and Saturday are three of the films I recommended last time. Make sure you grab your tickets before they're gone, and support some local talent!
Stock Characters: The Cooking Show | Elaine Carol | 2011 | Fri | Aug 24 | 7:00 p.m.
This locally-flavoured documentary follows a diverse group of East Vancouver youth as they mount a large and complex play. Director Elaine Carol and cast will be in attendance.
The Coast is Queer | multiple directors | 2012 | Fri | Aug 24 | 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate British Columbia’s queer talent with 15 short films by local directors capped off with an award. Directors will be in attendance.
Positive Youth | Charlie David | 2012 | Sat | Aug 25 | 5:00 p.m.
This documentary follows several young Canadians living with HIV today. Jesse Brown, Executive Director of YouthCO, features and will be taking part in a post-film discussion.
For more information on the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, including films, showtimes, tickets, and parties, be sure to check out QueerFilmFestival.ca, or visit them on Facebook or Twitter. And remember to tag your shares with #festies or #vqff!
