Thanks to Nelson Mandela, South Africa has one of the best constitutions and legal rights frameworks for queer people globally. A nation’s queer human rights usually affects the tone of the film-making in that country. For example, queer film-making out of Muslim countries often contains far more angst-ridden themes than films from more liberal nations. Runs In The Family, a new film out of South Africa echoes that sentiment.
Directed by Ian Gabriel and written by, and starring his trans-man son, Gabe Gabriel, Runs In The Family is a comedy-drama adventure that focuses on the beautiful relationship between a father Varun (Ace Bhatti) and his trans-man son River (Gabe Gabriel). We follow them as they spend a few days together on a road trip from Cape Town to pick up their estranged mother Monica (Diaan Lawrenson) from a rehab clinic in Eswatini. River’s mother abandoned the family when he was aged one and he hasn’t heard from her since, so he’s not too keen to go and see her. He is, however, her only next-of-kin as his father hadn’t married her, so he is the only person authorized to pick her up from the rehab. Time is also of the essence for River as he has a big drag competition in Cape Town in two days. If he wins the top prize at Her Vajesty’s, The Queen’s Drag Ball, he will finally have enough money to pay for his top surgery.
Varun and River set off on their road trip. The bohemian father and son have a very special time together, even when hairy moments happen. The first half of the road trip focuses on their chats as River educates his dad on trans etiquette, his hopes, and dreams. Once they meet Monica, however, the atmosphere changes as her glamorous, chaotic, bull-in-a-china-shop personality fills the car. Then River’s best friend and drag partner Ollie (Cleo Wesley) injures a foot and has to pull out of the drag competition. River is distraught at the loss of the potential winnings. Step forward daddy, who offers his services as his son’s drag partner for the competition. River cautiously accepts he has no other options, and the rest of the return road trip is spent preparing for their performance.
Once back in Cape Town, the duo join a gathering of South Africa’s most fabulous drag queens at the glamorous competition. The show is fun and vibrant but events take a dark and sinister turn as the chaotic evening draws to a close.
Runs In The Family feels like a family production. The plot is almost secondary to the warm, positive relationship between the father and his trans-son, and that’s the main message the Gabriel duo want to project. Produced in 18 days, and on a small budget, the script, performances and overall production values are not the most polished, but don’t let that put you off. The positive, heartfelt love and support for trans family members in this film override everything else. The film is also gently educational regarding trans identity issues and etiquette, a bonus given its worldwide release on Netflix. A fun watch.
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
