Five queer films to see at this year's New Zealand International Film Festival

NZ Herald·

18 Jul, 2018 09:00 PM4 mins to read

Forrest Goodluck, Sasha Lane and Chloe Grace Moretz in The Miseducation of Cameron Post. Photo / supplied

In 2014, Outtakes, New Zealand's only queer film festival, had its last-ever run; a year later, it folded, citing low ticket sales and increased costs. Its absence made a gaping hole in both New Zealand's pride community and film festival scene, and left us as one of the only developed countries in the world without a devoted queer film festival.

Although Outtakes is irreplaceable, the New Zealand International Film Festival continues to make great strides in regards to its queer programming. This year advances that progress, with the 2018 programme angled particularly towards stories of queer women – a welcome sight for an identity too often ignored in cinema, beyond the odd mainstream release such as Carol or Blue is the Warmest Colour.

Here, we break down our top selection of queer cinema to catch during this year's fest.

Disobedience

Director Sebastian Lelio took home this year's best foreign language Oscar for his heartbreaking portrait of a trans woman fighting venomous family forces in A Fantastic Woman. In Disobedience, he turns his eye to a story of forbidden love between two women in a stiflingly conservative Jewish Orthodox community. Rachel Weisz plays Ronit, who returns to her estranged family in London after the death of her father. There, she rekindles her relationship with her now-married childhood friend Esti (Rachel McAdams), a connection that stirs controversy within their community. Based on Naomi Alderman's novel, Disobedience has been praised for its "remarkable sensitivity," and for stunning performances from its pair of leading Rachels.

Civic Theatre, July 20, 6:30pm; Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, July 21, 8:30pm and 8:40pm; Civic Theatre, July 24, 10:30am; Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, August 1, 4pm.

A Kid Like Jake

New Yorkers Alex (Claire Danes) and Greg (Jim Parsons) are a couple whose 4-year-old son Jake may want to be a girl. When his preschool leader Judy (Octavia Spencer) encourages the couple to utilise Jake's behaviour in order for him to be considered a "diverse" candidate for a progressive school, a rift begins to grow between the couple as they struggle to agree on what's best for him. A Kid Like Jake shines a light on a privileged, liberal community that may be less apt at answering thorny questions than it believes itself to be; the film, from trans director Silas Howard, has been praised for its sympathetic, humane and hilarious approach.

ASB Waterfront Theatre, July 21, 3:15pm; Hollywood Avondale, July 23, 6:15pm; ASB Waterfront Theatre, July 24, 4:15pm; Event Cinemas Westgate, July 29, 8pm.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

Said to be the best performance of Chloe Grace Moretz's career so far, The Miseducation of Cameron Post brings the beloved young adult novel about to the big screen. Set in 1993 small-town America, the film follows Cameron (Moretz), who is sent to a gay conversion therapy camp after she is caught making out with her girlfriend. There, Cameron navigates coming to terms with an identity that her superiors are trying to tell her is sinful. The timely film, which follows the banning of such therapy in the UK, earned rave reviews out of Sundance Festival in the US, at which it was awarded the esteemed Grand Jury Prize.

Hollywood Avondale, July 20, 4:15pm; Civic Theatre, July 26, 8:45pm; Hollywood Avondale, July 28, 4:15pm; Civic Theatre, August 2, 4:15pm.

Rafiki

Rafiki is potentially the bravest queer film at NZIFF 2018; the lesbian coming-out story has been banned in its home country of Kenya, where same-sex relationships are punishable by a 14-year prison sentence. Set in a Nairobi housing estate, Rafiki follows the free-spirited Kena (Samantha Mugatsia), who embarks on a life-altering relationship with the ultra-cool Ziki (Sheila Munyiva). The ground-breaking film was celebrated at Cannes Film Festival for its tender storytelling, lively performances and celebratory tone.

Hollywood Avondale, July 22, 1:30pm; ASB Waterfront Theatre, July 23, 8:30pm; ASB Waterfront Theatre, July 27, 4:15pm.

Desert Hearts

When Desert Hearts screened at the 18th Auckland International Film Festival in 1986, it was praised as the "most assured and liberating lesbian movie ever". The US production by director Donna Deitch follows the loud-and-proud Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), who meets and falls in love with the older, newly out Vivian (Helen Shaver). Notable (even today) for the fact that it's written, produced and directed by women, Desert Hearts is perhaps best summed up by this praise from Vanity Fair: "It's f***ing awesome".

Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, July 23, 12:15pm; Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, July 25, 8:30pm; ASB Waterfront Theatre, August 3, 6:30pm.