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Festival coverage

Flare

21 March – 31 March 2019

Flare returns with another fantastic line-up of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex-themed films from around the world.

The festival runs from 21 to 31 March.

Other years (12)

Box office and information

Latest reviews

  • Socrates
    Review preview for Socrates

    Not a huge amount may happen in terms of plot and Moratto keeps his storyline light on its feet, but the situation and emotions feel real and raw.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    After his mother’s sudden death, 15-year-old Socrates must learn how to fend for himself in São Paulo.
  • Little Miss Westie
    Review preview for Little Miss Westie

    This is very much fly-on-the-wall documentary, with explanations and expiation left up to those involved.

    Jane Fae · 3.5 out of 5
    Story of Ren, the first out transgirl to compete in the Little Miss Westie Pageant. Coaching her through the competition is her older brother Luca, who previously took part in the pageant when he lived as a girl.
  • Vision Portraits
    Review preview for Vision Portraits

    This isn't just an inspiration ticket - it's a series of portraits of people who would be interesting and enjoyable to be around whether they were blind or not.

    Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
    A black, gay filmmaker who is losing his sight explores the lives and work of other visually impaired artists in this documentary.
  • From Zero To I Love You
    Review preview for From Zero To I Love You

    Spearman draws his characters well, putting relatively little focus on the romance - which the actors convey just fine in the space they have - and instead exploring the way each of them is affected as a person.

    Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
    When Peter bumps into handsome businessman Jack in a gay bar, they begin a passionate relationship, in spite of Jack being married. Peter keeps ending up with married men and realises that if his life is ever going to get better, something needs to change.
  • Papi Chulo
    Review preview for Papi Chulo

    Beautifully written and sensitively directed.

    Jennie Kermode · 4.5 out of 5
    A TV weatherman in an emotional crisis strikes up a platonic friendship with a married migrant worker.
  • Shelter: Farewell To Eden
    Review preview for Shelter: Farewell To Eden

    You get the sense Masi wants Pepsi to be a pivot for the issues engulfing modern Europe, but in the process he often loses sight of her own story.

    Sunil Chauhan · 3 out of 5
    The thoughts and life of Pepsi, a transgender woman born in the Philippines, now living in Italy.
  • No Box For Me. An Intersex Story
    Review preview for No Box For Me. An Intersex Story

    By nodding in, by not forcing the pace, this documentary allows intersex voices to be heard.

    Jane Fae · 4 out of 5
    A burgeoning movement aims to demystify intersex identities and stop the practice of forced surgical interventions.
  • Halston
    Review preview for Halston

    The film works wonderfully as an introduction to this important fashion designer for those who never heard of him or connected his name to Seventies minimalist style.

    Anne-Katrin Titze · 4 out of 5
    From Iowa to Studio 54, this investigation into the rags-to-riches story of America's first superstar designer uncovers the cautionary tale of an artist who sold his name to Wall Street.
  • Knife + Heart
    Review preview for Knife + Heart

    This isn't the kind of film that's destined to win mainstream awards but Paradis' performance deserves to be remembered.

    Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
    Paris, Summer 1979. Anne produces third-rate gay porn. After her editor and lover Lois leaves her, she tries to win her back by shooting her most ambitious film yet with her trusted, flaming sidekick Archibald... then one of her actors is brutally murdered.
  • Consequences
    Review preview for Consequences

    Shooting under predominantly grey skies in landscapes built of concrete, chipboard and peeling plaster, director Darko Stante invites the audience to share Andrej's feelings of confinement and hopelessness.

    Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
    A teenager is forced to choose between a charismatic young man he meets in a detention centre and his own sense of moral integrity.

A–Z of Flare 2019 reviews

Features

  • The performers
    Jamie Patterson on working with Derren Nesbitt, Steve Oram and Jordan Stephens on Tucked
  • Beyond the bright lights
    Jamie Patterson on drag, gender, family and Tucked
  • Something magical
    Jason Barker on gender, spirituality and A Deal With The Universe
  • Raising expectations
    Jason Barker on filming his attempts to have a child in A Deal With The Universe
  • A real joy
    Kyle MacLachlan on high school acting and playing a father in Giant Little Ones
  • Keeping up appearances
    Marcello Martinessi on cultural conservatism and filmmaking honesty in The Heiresses