Review: BFI Flare, London LGBT Film Festival 2016

This Easter Sunday saw the sad end of BFI Flare – one of the world’s longest running and most respected LGBT film festivals, which hosted a plethora of queer films from all over the world as well as insightful talks and crazy club nights on the riverfront.

The festival opened last week with the mesmerising brit flick The Pass – the heart-wrenching story of a footballer in love with his teammate whilst struggling with his sexual identity under the eternally intrusive and judgemental glare of the celebrity spotlight. 

Other films included the critically acclaimed Carol, featuring an impeccably dressed Cate Blanchet playing the role of a married woman in love with a young shop assistant, dealing with the social stigma of her sexuality in 1940’s Britain, and Real Boy – the tale of a brave 19 year old trans man who endures the agony of rejection from his family before finding love and acceptance though like-minded friends made through social media.

The gloriously bohemian French film Summertime closed the festival and left cinema-goers teary eyed as they were treated to visually exquisite cinematography and the powerful love story of Delphine – a young girl raised by traditional parents on a farm and Carole – a streetwise Parisian activist with a flock of unruly blond hair – and a boyfriend. The two meet at a feminist protest on the bustling streets of Paris and quickly form a passionate, unyielding bond which takes them to the lush rural landscape of the countryside before their fervent romance is suddenly tested by the dismal realities of life.

Roll on next year for more arty LGBT film shenanigans….

 

Mitra Msaad

Editor in Chief