On this page - FIVE FILMS FOR FREEDOM 2024:
COMPTON'S '22 | CURSIVE | THE FIRST KISS | HALFWAY | LITTLE ONE


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Warm and involving, this beautifully animated film is simple and very sweet, a lovely portrait of three generations in a family. The imagery is eye-catchingly original, a fresh approach that catches the attention and finds very nice textures in the characters. Without overstating its themes, it quietly presents a happy family that triumphs against adversity.

On videotape in 2015, Joy asks her two dads Tino and Iko for advice about parenting just before her first child is born. But as they speak, Iko has a heart attack. In the hospital, one father speaks to his camera while Joy sleeps by the hospital bed, talking about how he felt terrified when they first brought her home. Cue earlier home videos over the years as they formed a family, finding deep happiness even if people stared at them in public. And he encourages her about her ability to raise their grandchild.

The digital animation is colourful and skilfully detailed, with cinematic touches and some moving personal touches. The way it mixes a variety of imagery, including clips that resemble old videotape, is sharply well rendered. The film itself may feel a bit slight, as it avoids filling in details about the characters or events, but the approach is clever and evocative.

24.Mar.24

Honing in on feelings of self-worth, this short British drama centres on a young woman who feels like her girlfriend can't help put words in her mouth, so perhaps she needs to learn to express herself. With gently moving camerawork shot in warm settings, the film feels slow and earthy, and also perhaps too quiet.

Dot (Henry) is tired of her girlfriend Bea (Hawgood) always answering for her, simply because she lacks self-confidence. Bea even writes Dot's notes because she knows Dot hates her handwriting. This finally comes to a head with Bea, so Dot turns to calligrapher Angela (Johnson) to learned how to write cursive. And after diligent practice she is able to write a note to Bea.

The film is so subtle that it's tricky to get a grip on the story. Aside from Dot's journey into a more confident way of expressing herself, the story is oddly vague and elusive, and the up-close camerawork further eliminates context. Much of the detail is left to silent pauses and quiet montages, so perhaps we're meant to read into it what we want. The technical quality of the imagery is very high, as are the engaging performances from the entire cast.

24.Mar.24

Making the most of an amusing situation, this warm and funny short film simply features two guys chatting to each other on the phone for 14 minutes. But their wider story emerges along the way, adding depth of meaning to both the characters and where they are. As a result, the film is able to find meaning amid the comedy, and it lingers in the memory because it also connects strongly with us.

It opens as a young guy arrives at Juhu Beach on India's coast, flustered because he is running late to meet his friend. Calling to apologise, they realise that they are at some distance down the shore, so begin to walk toward each other as they speak. Soon it becomes clear that this is a pivotal moment for them, trying to decide if they should give up on their two-year relationship or move in together. As they seem incapable of finding each other in this busy place, they realise that they're at least watching the same sunset.

Beautifully shot, this conversation is very well played Dadyburjor and filmmaker Chheda, who layer in tension and personality as these men discuss their relationship. Their chatter reveals past miscommunication and mistakes, as they seek confirmation about each others' true feelings. Both are frightened that this chance to be loved might be slipping away, so actually seeing each other face-to-face begins to be remarkably urgent. Where this ends might feel simple, but it has a wonderfully strong kick.

16.Mar.24

Sunny and very cute, this teenage tale from Madrid beautifully captures the energy and spark of two young guys on a day out. The camerawork is colourful, skilfully zeroing in on expressive faces and interesting settings. It's a gorgeous depiction of different experiences coming together in unexpected ways. And where it goes is properly surprising.

Trying to make sure he looks perfect for a first date, teen Andi (Couto) is teased by his big brother Raul (Lucas) about the probability of losing his virginity, because of course that's how dates work when you're gay. The pestery but clearly protective Raul quizzes Andi about this guy he met on Instagram, threatening to tell their mother (Baeza), who thinks he's too young to meet girls. Then in the city Andi meets up with Nestor (Itoiz), who takes him to a bookshop and a park, where they have an unexpected encounter.

Name-checking Heartstopper at one point, the film is a series of seriously adorable scenes as these two boys spend a day together. Andi wishes he lived in such a vibrant city rather than the boring suburbs, and is clearly relishing getting out on his own. Then as they settle down for a serious conversation, what they have to say to each other is powerfully meaningful without ever feeling preachy. The final section is startlingly heavy, and important for different reasons.

24.Mar.24

An imagined recreation of an event that was neither covered in the media nor recorded in police records, this short springs from first-person accounts that were unearthed by historians decades later. While the film feels a bit overworked, what emerges is also hugely resonant today, because it offers people a place in history. And it reminds us that we have survived dark and hateful times.

In 1966, three years before Stonewall, a group of transgender sex workers and drag queens stood up against police violence during a riot at Gene Compton's Cafeteria in San Francisco. This was their usual all-night hangout, gathering as queens together to provide support. And it was also important to simply acknowledge to each other that they exist. Then on this fateful night, they took on the police head-on. Today, young trans and non-binary performers appear at Compton's in honour of those who led the way.

Documentary clips featuring a firsthand recollections are screened on a small television, while queer people in the present-day react, finding it both satisfying and humbling. These young people speak about their feelings and experiences in the light of what is said on these tapes, while historical icons speak about how they refused to allow hateful violence get to them, remaining assured in who they were. So as human beings, it was time to stand up for their freedom to be themselves. And things haven't changed as much as they should have.

24.Mar.24