Outfest Los Angeles — A–Z of films

There are a lot of interesting ideas swirling around in this film.

Stern takes her time letting us discover what really concerns her characters, their hard shells and vulnerable cores.

A torch song of a film.

While the framing of cinematographer Gerardo Guerra has a steady calm, González uses every inch of it from side to side and top to bottom to such a consummate degree that even the subtitles have to make way at one point.

Moore's performance is heart-stoppingly wonderful.

For such a studiously artificial work...it is profoundly moving.

The performances are all first class, with any one of the three leads capable of carrying a film on her own.

Through the medium of drag – and with plenty of wit and glamour to enjoy along the way – Danger highlights the unreasonable expectations placed on all feminine people.

The struggle which follows is, in places, difficult to watch, especially for viewers who have been affected by such issues in their own lives, so Heimann sensibly leavens it with humour.

By focusing on just one person and her day to day struggles, Curran throws the US gun crisis into sharp relief.

Vitija rarely gets distracted from her approach, and this is a strength – not easy to achieve with so much material to pull together.

Now 83 but still looking good, with charisma which overflows the confines of the screen, Madelynn is as committed to making music as she always was.

In telling the story of a man hitherto forgotten by history, director Brian Vincent captures a side of that celebrated scene never seen before, putting all the rest in context and exploring the nature of fame from an unusual perspective.

Kyi has a sharp eye for the little details of people’s homes and unconscious behaviours which enrich our understanding of who they are.

Essentially an old fashioned tale in which the pursuit of dreams needs to be balanced by learning to appreciate what one has.

The love story is remarkable in its own right but the film also shows the way these sorts of histories could be hidden in plain sight.

Filmed during the last months of Pat’s life, when he was gradually losing his sight, this film features extensive interviews with the man himself.

Martyrdom and bad wishing, casual cruelty and sweet despair reign in this realm.

There are layers and layers of humour here, sometimes rooted in queer and theatrical traditions but mostly accessible regardless.

A fascinating watch.

What really lights up the film is the chemistry between the boys and their wider circle of friends.

There is a lot more going on here than just the sexual, and that activity, in itself, is transmuted in its meaning.

A quirky yet moving character piece full of absurdist comedy, with an optimistic streak which is rare in cinema today.

Brilliantly made.

A delicate balance is achieved here between telling the girls’ story, exploring the role which Marike’s religion and culture play in her life, and critiquing aspects of the way she is expected to live.