Blossoming Beyond the Binary: Celebrating Queer Films at AIFF23
Patrick Laba, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
The great Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf once said, “Because there is so little room for expression otherwise, a lot of people love cinema because they find it a way of expressing themselves.” Indeed, a film can convey feelings and opinions that might otherwise be difficult to express; it gives the opportunity to lay bare the love, pain, joy, loneliness, and pride that exists in the deepest part of a person’s heart. This year, the Atlantic International Film Festival is thrilled to be able to showcase several films that highlight the intricate struggles and fervent joys of the queer experience.
We’re lucky for the connections we make, for the people who leave an impact on us and for the ability to gain insight into the experience of others. Conflict between the inner and the exterior self is a personal, intimate struggle and something that many of us might find difficult to comprehend. But confusion can lead to clarity, and clarity to zeal, and from the passionate person come dazzling fruits of self expression. That’s certainly the case for the films we’re about to introduce.
In Nicole Bazuin’s THRIVING: A DISSOCIATED REVERIE, Kitoko Mai (the film’s star and screenwriter) plays a nonbinary former sex worker who has been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder – topics that are true to Mai’s real-life experiences. The film explores the challenges associated with trying to get through life while navigating mental illness, capitalism and the always tricky global zombie emergency.
Still from THRIVING: A DISSOCIATED REVERIE
ORLANDO, MY POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY sees one of the world’s leading thinkers in gender studies and biopolitics, Paul B. Preciado, presenting a personal testimony of trans people living today whilst weaving in and out of its dual-concept: a free-form adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s iconic novel Orlando (a book in which a man wakes up in his middle age suddenly transformed into a woman). The film premiered at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Teddy Award for best documentary film – an international award presented to outstanding films centered around queer topics.
Still from ORLANDO, MY POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY
James MacSwain is an eclectic, colourful treasure to the Nova Scotian art scene, and directors Eryn Foster and Sue Johnson offer an equally vibrant portrait of him in their film CELESTIAL QUEER: THE LIFE, WORK AND WONDER OF JAMES MACSWAIN. With splashes of MacSwain’s humour and otherworldly charm, the film documents his experience growing up gay in the 50s and 60s in small-town Nova Scotia, finding his place within the community and solidifying his artistic practice. MacSwain’s collage-based animation is featured throughout the film, as well as interviews detailing the impact left on filmmaking by this quietly outspoken feminist, naturalist, and gay-rights activist.
Still from CELESTIAL QUEER: THE LIFE, WORK AND WONDER OF JAMES MACSWAIN
Celebrated Halifax talent Elliot Page stars in Dominic Savage’s CLOSE TO YOU, a film that works to capture the awkwardness, the nerves, the joys, and the tensions of returning home to family and friends after coming out. This indie gem sees Page as the film’s star as well as co-producer and co-writer with director Dominic Savage. Themes of love, belonging and identity permeate this poignant, personal story and Page’s nuanced, inspirational performance is certain to serve as a reminder of his prowess as an actor, regardless of genre or medium.
Still from CLOSE TO YOU
We all walk the same streets, gaze up at the same stars, sit in the same cinemas – and yet each of us possess our own unique, self-contained galaxies. Science hasn’t developed a telescope capable of seeing into the inner scenery of a person yet, but we can take solace in knowing that cinema – and those who love it – will continue to offer a glimpse into those profound places, ideas and feelings that make humans (much like the movies) uniquely beautiful.
Other queer films to love at #AIFF23 include: our Opening Night Gala THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS, the cheerleading drama BACKSPOT, the Rachel Sennott-led dramedy I USED TO BE FUNNY, Chloé Robichaud’s DAYS OF HAPPINESS, the coming-of-age feel-good FITTING IN, and short films TESTING and MICKEY.