30th Flare: Hanging tough

The 30th BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival continues on the Southbank through this coming Easter weekend. It's quite a lively atmosphere, with filmmakers mixing with audiences through both casual encounters in the cavernous BFI Southbank complex as well as a series of receptions and parties that run throughout each day. In one day this week, I was able to chat informally with directors and/or actors from five films (apart from scheduled interviews I've had for work). Here are some more highlights as the festival approaches its closing days...

I Promise You Anarchy [Te Prometo Anarquia] 
dir Julio Hernandez Cordon; with Diego Calva, Eduardo Martinez Pena 15/Mexico 1h28 **** 
Earthy and realistic, this drama centres on a group of young skaters roaming the streets of Mexico City. The film has an artful lyricism to it, finding beauty in some very, very dark situations. Clearly, filmmaker Julio Hernandez Cordon is a fan of Gus Van Sant's work, adding his own distinct political/cultural touch.

Henry Gamble's Birthday Party 
dir Stephen Cone; with Cole Doman, Pat Healy 15/US ***. 
Warm and relaxed, this is a knowing exploration of the undercurrents that swell beneath the squeaky clean surface of strongly religious families. With some 20 characters, the film takes on a wide range of issues, all centring on how American Christians are preoccupied with sexuality. And the personal touches make it resonate.

Like You Mean It 
dir Philipp Karner with Philipp Karner, Denver Milord 15/US **. 
This skilfully assembled drama is packed with compelling issues, although it struggles to connect with the audience due to stilted pacing and a somewhat cold approach that doesn't quite break the surface. Essentially it's about that moment when a relationship runs dry. But before resolving this, the film shifts into a pointed depiction of mental health issues... FULL REVIEW >

Coming Out 
dir Alden Peters; with Alden Peters, Ritch Savin-Williams 15/US **** 
Despite the blandly generic title, this documentary has plenty to say about the topic, especially for people living in tolerant societies. Filmmaker Alden Peters filmed the moments he told his family and friends that he was gay, but the bigger issue is his own personal journey to understanding himself. It's a sharply well-crafted film that's both witty and moving.

BEST OF YEAR 
Tangerine
dir Sean Baker; with Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor 15/US ****.
This film is so fresh and original that it's easy to forget that it was shot entirely on an iPhone, proving that money isn't what makes a movie engaging. With snappy dialog, colourfully complex characters and a farcical plot that's genuinely hilarious, this is a seriously unforgettable Christmas comedy... FULL REVIEW >

Critical Week: Send up a flare

This past week, the British Film Institute staged its annual programme launch event for the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, which kicks off its 28th edition on March 20th. But the big news this year was that the festival is changing its name to BFI Flare. The launch party was great fun, as always, attended by filmmakers, journalists and industry bods who become like a family this time of year.

As for screenings, we had Kevin Hart and Ice Cube in the occasionally entertaining action comedy Ride Along, Liam Hemsworth in the preposterous but sleek thriller Paranoia, the cleverly freaky indie revenge drama Blue Ruin, Del Shores' astute filmed play Southern Baptist Sissies, the marriage documentary 112 Weddings and the Canadian digital series Coming Out, watched in one go. I also saw a few films that will be at BFI Flare next month.

This coming week I will catch up just in time with three Oscar nominees: Hayao Miyazaki's acclaimed animated epic The Wind Rises and the buzzy docs 20 Feet From Stardom and Dirty Wars. (This leaves only one Oscar-nominated feature I won't have seen on Sunday night: foreign-language nominee Omar.) Also this week, we have the sequel 300: Rise of an Empire, the animated Wrinkles and three more docs: Bridegroom, Next Goal Wins and Errol Morris' The Unknown Known.