With the help of FIN Program Director Jason Beaudry, Wayves presents a comprehensive list of queer cinema you can't miss.
Splinters
This film is directed by queer filmmaker Thom Fitzgerald and is based on the life of queer playwright Lee-Ann Poole.
It shows the struggle of Belle, who told her Conservative mother she was a lesbian in her teens. Now, she comes home to Nova Scotia for her dad's funeral, and has to tell her mother that she's in a relationship with a cis man.
Playing Thursday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. -- Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. Seats are limited.
PLAIRE, AIMER ET COURIR VITE (SORRY ANGEL)
Jacques is a nearly-40 Parisian writer who falls in love with student Arthur. But will their love last? This comedy-drama shows the difficulties of relationships when two people are so far apart on what the future might hold for them.
Presented in French. Playing Friday, Sept. 14 at 9:40 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
STUDIO 54
This documentary focuses on Studio 54 -- a 1970's nightclub that was a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people and marked the era. It follows the co-owners Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, and shows the ups and downs of the club business. This full-length documentary is set to tell the true story of this historic New York Club.
Playing Saturday, Sept. 15 at 9:40 -- Park Lane Cinemas
ASSASSINATION NATION
This film, directed by Sam Levinson -- son of the famous Barry Levinson -- follows high school senior Lily and her friends when someone starts posting private texts and digital content of people in their small town. People get murderously angry, and like the FIN program says, a "Category 5 shitstorm" occurs, with Lily right in the centre.
Playing Sunday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
JUST BE GEMMA
This documentary looks at Gemma Hickey's gender transformation and her struggles as she moves forward. The St. John's, NFLD activist is knowing for co-leading a same-sex marriage legalization movement in Canada and is the founder of Pathways. This film is a raw look into her journey.
Playing Monday, Sept. 17 at 4:30 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
LOVE, SCOTT
This documentary follows Scott Jones, a gay musician who is attacked in small-town Nova Scotia, and paralyzed from the waist down. His journey of healing is chronicled here, and Jones moved toward forgiveness and acceptance on-screen. This is a difficult, raw film playing in two theatres during its premiere, and shows this man's anti-homophobia campaign Don't Be Afraid, and his push to take his life back.
Playing Monday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
COLETTE
This acting showcase stars Keira Knightley as Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, who marries a successful Parisian writer. But when she ghostwrites for her husband and her story becomes a best-seller, she begins to fight for the credit that is rightfully hers. In a clash over gender roles, Colette begins to revolutionize her life and express herself in every way possible, including sexually. Featuring a strong female lead and a fearless performance, this will be one to watch for.
Playing Monday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
LIZZIE
This feature film about Lizzie Borden shows the passionate relationship that develops between herself and live-in maid Bridget in 1892. However, Lizzie's difficulties with her family makes her feel closed in, and is sure to bring things to an enthralling conclusion. With queer performers Chloe Sevigny and Kristen Stewart on board, this is sure to be an eloquent feature.
Playing Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 4:10 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
MOUTHPIECE
This film is based on a two-woman play by Amy Nostbakken and Norah Sadava, and is about a writer attempting to reconcile her feminism with the "conformist choices" of her mother following her death. There's this consistent conflict between progress and regression in the film, and between cultural values.
Playing Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
THE HEAT: A KITCHEN (R)EVOLUTION
This documentary follows the injection of women now taking the helm of restaurants and kitchens in an industry previously dominated by men. With brutal hours, difficult conditions and a rough nature, women are breaking through and changing the culture of kitchens they run.
This about "a generation unwilling to submit" to things that were once considered normal for the job.
Playing Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
THE HAPPY PRINCE
This film -- a triple threat from gay actor Rupert Everett -- sees him writing, directing and starring in his passion project. It chronicles the last three years of the life of flamboyant, in-your-face Oscar Wilde, the famous writer and storyteller. It's a raw, intimate crowd-pleasing film and may just be a crowning work for star Everett, and another solid one in the canon for Colin Firth.
Playing Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
THE FRUIT MACHINE
This touching film about the purge of homosexuals in the military and public service sectors of Canada should be a deeply emotional tale. Those who went through the 40-year "witch hunt" are speaking out about living in a society that cast LGBTQ+ people aside. Timely and provocative, The Fruit Machine features sadness, anger and everything in between.
Playing Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
THE ICE KING
This is the story of John Curry, an Olympic ice skating winner in 1976, and the first openly gay Olympian. It tells his difficult story, and portrays the man as the conflicted, at times contradicting person he truly was. His story -- on and off the ice -- is told in great detail here.
Playing Thursday, Sept. 20 at 6:40 p.m. -- Park Lane Cinemas
