Opening with the international premiere of the documentary The Stroll (2023) by Kristen Lovell and Zachary Drucker, it will be followed by no fewer than 58 feature films, 90 shorts, and 28 world premieres, many of which have been garnering awards.
The Stroll is a moving documentary about trans sex workers of colour from the New York Meatpacking District. The Closing night screening on March 25th will be the UK premiere of Drifter(2023) the debut feature by Hannes Hirsch about a young man coming to terms with love, sex, and relationships in modern day Berlin.
There are three strands to the festival: ‘Hearts’, ‘Bodies’ and ‘Minds’ with community and friendship at the heart of many of the productions.
BFI flare trailer
Willem and Frieda by John Hay outlines the extraordinary and moving story, investigated by Stephen Fry, of a gay man and a Lesbian who led the anti- Nazi resistance in Holland. From sadness we go to humour and even laugh-out-loud Mandy Fabian’s comedy ‘Jess Plus None’, where Jess tries to deal with her ex, her friends and most of all, herself.
Among the interesting Latino films, we can find ‘Little Richard, I am Everything’. by Afro-Colombian activist Lisa Cortés. Cortés explores Little Richard’s extraordinary talent, his complex life and his lasting effect on rock’n’roll, with contributions from Mick Jagger, John Waters and Elton John. A man of deep faith, Little Richard never thought God was okay with rock’n’roll and was always at war withing himself, with his blackness and his queerness. Despite being a pioneer, he was never properly recognized.
Aseneth Suárez Ruiz’s ‘Clara’ follows a filmmaker who returns to Colombia to uncover the truth about her mother’s past love. In ‘Afeminadas’, five fascinating, unconventional, Brazilian performers reveal their stories, as they attempt to go beyond binary and challenge macho culture.
Argentine Marco Berger, who already made an impact with the delightful comedy ‘Plan B’ (2009) and more recently, ‘Young Hunter’ (2020), has come out with his new film ‘Horseplay’ (Los Agitadores 2022). Where a group of men at a party challenge each other’s supposed heterosexual boundaries. Where could that lead?
The BFI Flare festival also includes science fiction films, such as award-winning Colombian writer/director Juan Felipe Zuleta’s insightful film ‘Unidentified Objects’ (2022)
Zuleta made his name directing popular commercials for companies like Budweiser, and creating music videos, but despite coming from a conservative Catholic background in Medellín , he found his feet in New York, inspired by directors like Alonso Cuarón and Luis Buñuel. His award-winning film ‘Unidentified objects’ (2022) has had a huge impact after playing at Sitges and the Fantastic Fest. Queer Forty even lauded it as “one of the best road movies ever made.”
Unidentified Object- Matthew Jeffers and Sara Hay
Zuketa sets a wonderful premise with a free- spirited, alien-obsessed sex worker (Sara Hay) who persuades her OCD uptight dwarf neighbour (Matthew Jeffers) to hit the road with her.
Among the shorts is a Germany, Spain,France and Italy co-production by cinematographer / editor/ Director Cláudia Varejão, Wolf and Dog ( 2022). Lobo e cão. In this film, Ana, born on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, is surrounded by religion, traditions and two siblings. Despite being given different tasks she realizes that Luis, her queer best friend loves dresses as much as pants. When her friend Cloé arrives from Canada, full of the glow of youth, Ana embarks on a journey filled with new desires. Wolf and Dog is the enchanting ode to the island's queer community where the twilight glow crosses the immense Atlantic Ocean.
trailer.
With an array of event, talks and debates taking place around the screenings, this festival is expected to be as exciting a Flare Festival as ever and the sheer scope and variety means there will be something for everyone, including DJ nights in the BFI Bar and the BFI Big Gay Film Quiz!
The 37th BFI Flare LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 15- 26 March 2023
Full programme online https://youtu.be/uLbDolbM16Q
BFI Southbank
