"Love is love is love is love is love." These powerful words by Lin-Manuel Miranda resonate deeply, especially during Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honour the LGBTQ+ community's diversity and resilience. As we delve into the world of movies, we often find an array of captivating stories that embrace different facets of love and identity. However, despite the richness of LGBTQ+ narratives, there remains a noticeable absence of such inclusive and representative stories in mainstream media. The question arises: why is there a lack of movies and TV shows that authentically depict LGBTQ+ experiences? The answer is multifaceted, touching on societal norms, industry biases, and the complexities of storytelling in visual media. However, here is a list of movies that deserve more recognition, now more than ever, because of how beautifully and delicately they handled the subject matter!

‘Funeral Parade of Roses’ (1969)

Japanese filmmaker and mixed-media artist Toshio Matsumoto, over his nearly 35-year career, directed just four feature films, with his most acclaimed being his debut: Funeral Parade of Roses. Drawing inspiration from Oedipus Rex, this arthouse gem dives into the 1960s Tokyo underground gay bar scene, portraying the struggles of a trans hostess, Eddie and her fellow queens. As a hallmark of the Japanese New Wave, the film boldly defies traditional filmmaking norms, blending documentary style with experimental techniques to craft a truly unique cinematic experience.

‘Badhai Do’ (2022)

This is a Bollywood film that courageously explores the theme of queer identity and acceptance within Indian society. The story follows the journey of a young woman, played by Bhumi Pednekar, who comes to terms with her sexuality and decides to come out to her conservative family. The film delves into the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in navigating societal expectations, family dynamics, and personal authenticity. It sheds light on the importance of love, understanding, and acceptance, sparking conversations about queer representation and inclusivity in Indian cinema. 

‘Cabaret’ (1972)

One of the most iconic love triangles in film history unfolds in Berlin just before World War II. Bob Fosse's musical "Cabaret" features Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles, a vibrant cabaret singer at the Kit Kat Klub. She becomes romantically involved in a '30s-era throuple with openly-gay professor Brian Roberts and their mutual lover, playboy Maximilian von Heune. Cabaret garnered 10 nominations at the 45th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won eight: Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director, along with awards for cinematography, editing, production design, original score, and sound.

'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' (1994)

An iconic gem that takes us on a wild ride with drag queens Mitzi Del Bra and Felicia Jollygoodfellow, joined by their newly widowed trans friend Bernadette Bassinger. In Aussie writer-director Stephan Elliott's uproarious yet tender road movie, the trio hits the road and transforms the Outback forever. Lizzy Gardiner and Tim Chappel's spectacular costume design earned them the Best Costume Design award at the 67th Oscars.

‘The Watermelon Woman’ (1997)

Watching this movie is a captivating experience, effortlessly blending charm with its historic significance as the first feature film directed by an out Black lesbian. Cheryl Dunye, the multi-talented writer, producer, and director, stars as Cheryl, a Black lesbian aspiring director in '90s Philadelphia. Cheryl works in a video rental store while making a documentary to uncover the identity of an obscure Black actress from the '30s known only as The Watermelon Woman. Dunye's film is a unique mix of autofiction and romantic comedy, while also offering a serious examination of Hollywood's history of discrimination — a "Dunyementary," as she calls it.

‘Fire’ (1996)

Filmmaker Deepa Mehta’s groundbreaking drama stands both as a trailblazer and a timeless classic, marking Bollywood's first mainstream film to spotlight a lesbian relationship. Radha and Sita are trapped in loveless marriages to two harsh and fanatic brothers. As they connect through their mutual suffering, they uncover a deeper bond and embark on an unexpected and passionate love affair.

‘Happy Together’ (1997)

One of the defining films of New Queer Cinema, Wong Kar-wai's celebrated Hong Kong masterpiece, *Happy Together*, tracks a couple's journey to Argentina in hopes of a fresh start. Starring Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung as the on-again, off-again boyfriends, the film delves into their turbulent relationship far from home. Premiering at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, it earned Wong the Best Director award.

‘The Kids Are Alright’ (2010)

Nic and Jules, played by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, are a long-time couple who have each welcomed a child through the same sperm donor. When their teenage kids reach out to their biological father, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, the situation quickly becomes tangled, revealing a comedic and thought-provoking exploration of modern family dynamics by Lisa Cholodenko. The film, recognized for its quirky charm, garnered four nominations at the 83rd Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress for Bening, Best Supporting Actor for Ruffalo, and Best Original Screenplay co-written by Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg.

‘Blue is the Warmest Colour’ (2013)

In this three-hour French drama by director Abdellatif Kechiche, we follow Adèle, brilliantly portrayed by Adèle Exarchopoulos, as she navigates the transformative power of love after encountering the captivating blue-haired Emma, played by Léa Seydoux. Prepare for an emotionally charged and intensely intimate cinematic experience that earned the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 66th Cannes Film Festival.

‘Nimona’ (2023)

In the fantastical realm of Nimona, inspired by ND Stevenson's acclaimed graphic novel, we journey alongside Ballister Boldheart, an ousted knight wrongly accused of regicide, and Nimona, a mischievous shapeshifter yearning to become Boldheart's trusty sidekick. The film, honoured with a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film at the prestigious 96th Oscars, faithfully retains the novel's essence, especially its representation of queer and trans-coded characters. Director Troy Quane, in conversation with A.frame, emphasises how integral these queer elements are to Nimona's identity. "The queer narrative is woven into ND Stevenson's graphic novel's very fabric," he explains. "Any attempts to dilute it have fallen short, as it's fundamental to the characters' essence and the story's profound message."

From groundbreaking stories to heartwarming coming-of-age narratives and powerful dramas, these movie recommendations have illuminated the richness and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. As we bid farewell to this vibrant celebration of love and acceptance on screen, let us reflect on the impact of these stories beyond the confines of a month. How can we continue to amplify queer voices, challenge stereotypes, and foster inclusivity in our everyday lives? The reel may end, but the conversations sparked by these films are a testament to the enduring power of storytelling in shaping a more empathetic and understanding world.

References:

Letterboxd | About Amazon | Oscars | Mashable 

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