There are a lot of commonly recommended LGBTQ+ films. Every LGBTQ+ film list seems to contain Call Me By Your Name, Moonlight, Carol, Paris is Burning, and Love Simon. Now, these aren't necessarily bad (except maybe CMBYN, but we've already talked about that), but it would be nice to see different recommendations being made.
So I've compiled a list of five films you can watch that you (probably) haven't already had recommended to you!
1. Big Eden
Released in: 2000
Genre: Romantic comedy-drama
Language: English
Rating: PG
Representation: main character and his love interests are gay men. One of the love interests is Native American.
Synopsis:
Harry, a gay man living in New York, returns to the small town he grew up in to care for his sick grandfather. In doing so, he reconnects with Dean, the childhood friend he had a crush on, oblivious to the fact that Pike, the quiet Native American who owns the town's general store, is developing feelings for him.
Trigger warnings:
Character death (cishet character).
Why you should watch it:
There isn't any homophobia depicted at all. Everyone is accepting of the characters' sexual orientations and none of the drama or conflict comes from the fact these characters are gay.
It features queer men who aren't all young, conventionally attractive, and white.
It's a film about relationships and life for a protagonist who happens to be gay rather than being a film specifically about queerness.
It's adorable.
Watch the trailer here:
2. Romeos
Released in: 2011
Genre: Tragicomedy
Language: German (English subtitles)
Rating: 15
Representation: Main character is a gay trans man. Love interest is a gay cis man. Secondary character is a lesbian. All are white.
Synopsis:
Lukas, a gay trans man, moves to Cologne for a new start. He integrates into the local gay scene and meets Fabio, a cis man. The two start to develop feelings for each other, except there's one issue: Fabio doesn't know Lukas is trans.
Trigger warnings:
Why you should watch it:
It's the only film I can find in which a trans man isn't played by a woman. The actor is a cis man and not a trans man, but at this point I take what I can get.
It's the only film I can find which shows trans men who aren't straight.
Despite some problematic elements and the fact it is definitely not shy about representing transphobia, the characters do get a (mostly) happy ending.
Watch the trailer here:
3. Pariah
Released in: 2011
Genre: Coming of age tragedy
Language: English
Rating: 18
Representation: Main character and her best friend are both Black lesbians. The majority of the cast are Black.
Synopsis:
Alike, a 17-year-old butch lesbian, comes to terms with her identity, despite her family's homophobia and attempts to encourage her to be more feminine.
Trigger warnings:
Family violence and abuse, homophobia, biphobia, sex, toxic relationships, rejection of queer youth, underage sex and drinking.
Why you should watch it:
It's been described by critics as a 'female Moonlight', so if you liked that film, you will enjoy this one.
So much bittersweet. It's hard to know how to feel at times while watching this, but I spent most of it wanting to give Alike a hug.
Films about queer WOC do not get enough attention, especially when it comes to queer black women.
Watch the trailer here:
4. Young Soul Rebels
Released in: 1991
Genre: Coming of age thriller
Language: English
Rating: 18
Representation: One of the main characters is a Black gay man with a white boyfriend. The other main character is biracial. A key secondary character is also a Black gay man.
Synopsis:
Set in the 1970s, Chris and Caz, two Black soulboys, are left distraught by the murder of their friend TJ. The affect of the tragedy combined with their different life goals mean the two start to drift apart, Chris becoming closer to his girlfriend and Caz to his white punk boyfriend.
Trigger warnings:
Racist and homophobic violence, slurs, sex, neo-Nazis, murder and attempted murder, character death (LGBTQ+ character).
Why you should watch it:
The film doesn't focus solely on Caz's sexuality and relationship, but it is still a significant part of the story. This balance isn't found nearly enough in films.
The mystery surrounding the murder is really interesting.
The film explores subcultures, class, and the harm that the police can do in a very direct way.
It combines so many elements in the best possible way, tied together by a solid soundtrack and strong characterisation.
Watch the trailer here:
5. Appropriate Behavior
Released in: 2014
Genre: Comedy
Language: English
Rating: 15
Representation: Main character is bisexual and Persian.
Synopsis:
Shirin, a bisexual Persian-American with traditional immigrant parents who don't know she's bisexual, struggles with life, love, and family.
Trigger warnings:
Sex, drugs, toxic relationships.
Why you should watch it:
If you like Bridget Jones or Fleabag, you'll enjoy this film.
The word 'bisexual' is actually used multiple times.
It's pretty light-hearted and fun without completely lacking substance.
Watch the trailer here:
Bonus: Her Story
Released in: 2016
Genre: drama web-series
Language: English
Rating: unrated
Representation: Both main characters are trans women, one of whom is a bisexual white woman with a (white, cis) lesbian love interest and the other a straight Black woman.
Synopsis:
This isn't technically a film, although it has won awards under the 'short film' category, so I think it counts enough to be included as a bonus. Her Story follows Violet and Paige, two trans women, and their professional and love lives.
Trigger warnings:
Transphobia, TERFs, intimate partner violence, homophobia.
Why you should watch it:
The trans women in this series are actually played and written by trans women.
The characters are very real, but the difficulties in their lives don't overshadow the positives.
Even though the total run-time of the series is only around an hour, the plot doesn't feel rushed and the characters are well-developed.
Watch the trailer here:
Which lesser-known queer films would you recommend? Let us know if we've missed your favourite one!
By Tristan Oscar Smith
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