Glasgow Film Festival is back for its 16th annual celebration of cinema – and it’s pretty damn queer
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS
The full programme for the Glasgow Film Festival 2020 boasts nine world premieres during its 12 day run, from 26 February-8 March 2020.
Star guests such as Caitlin Moran, Emily Beecham and Celia Imrie are all set to grace the red carpet at the city’s 16th annual celebration of cinema, as they premiere their brand new films at one of the UK’s largest film events.
The festival will open and close with UK premieres of films directed by women – Alice Winocour’s Proxima, starring Eva Green as an astronaut preparing for a mission to the International Space Station, and Beanie Feldstein in the big screen adaptation of Caitlin Moran’s blockbusting memoir How to Build a Girl, directed by Coky Giedroyc.
Closing on International Women’s Day with a celebratory showcase of female talent, every film screened on 8 March will either be directed or written by a woman, or starring a female lead.
“The 2020 programme is a real voyage of discovery, showcasing a treasure trove of little gems from all around the world. I think audiences will love the range and depth of exciting new talents we’ve chosen,” said Allan Hunter, Glasgow Film Festival’s co-director.
On top of all of that, there are tons of LGBTQI films showing at GFF this year too – and, to make things easy, we’ve rounded up a handful of them below just for you (you’re welcome) 🌈
The Garden Left Behind – Directed by Flavio Alves
Flavio Alves SXSW Audience Award-winner is a poignant portrait of a trans woman confronted by a world that struggles to accept her. Tina (Carlie Guevara) is an undocumented Mexican-born trans woman living in New York with her beloved grandmother Eliana (Miriam Cruz). Tina is full of positive energy in the face of many obstacles, including boyfriend Jason (Alex Kruz) who refuses to introduce her to his family. Unsentimental and very touching, Tina’s trials illuminate the prejudices faced by a wider community in a film where all the trans characters are played by trans actors.
Two Of Us/Deux – Directed by Filippo Meneghetti
This feature is a tenderhearted love story with stand-out performances from veterans Barbara Sukowa and Martine Chevalier. Nina (Sukowa) and Mado (Chevalier) are neighbours and the best of friends. They have also been lovers for years. Now they have big plans to sell up, leave France and move to Rome. The long widowed Mado just has to finally tell her daughter Anne (Lea Drucker) the truth about their relationship. When Mado’s health fails, Nina is shut out of her life and must fight for a hidden love that means everything to her.
Rialto – Directed by Peter Mackie Burns
Colm is in his mid-forties, married, with two teenage children. Still grieving the death of his father, a destructive figure in his life, Colm struggles with his relationship to his own son, whilst at work a recent takeover threatens his job. Unable to share his vulnerability with his wife, Colm’s world is falling apart around him. In the midst of this crisis, Colm solicits sex from a young man called Jay. This encounter and his growing infatuation has a deep effect on Colm. He finds comfort in Jay that no one else can provide.
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