FilmOut San Diego is one of the longest-running film festivals in Southern California and the only LGBTQ film festival in the San Diego area. Its 22nd edition kicks off its 4-day Fest on September 8th with such a diverse program that spreads over the whole queer spectrum. Queerguru has scoured the entire selection to produce 

OUR TOP TEN LIST OF MUST SEE FILMS

All Man: The International Male Story, is a compelling feature documentary debut of Bryan Darling and Jesse Finley Reed that highlights a crucial part of queer history.   It may not be as serious as events like the Stonewell Riots but it most certainly plays its own role in the evolution of the queer community.

Founded by the very charismatic ex AirForceman Gene Burkard in the 1970s, when the bulk of men’s clothes were brought by wives or mothers.  In those days they were very limited choices which were both boring and totally inspiring ensuring that no men were interested in shopping at all  Except for a few of course, and when Burkard focused his catalog on all flamboyant clothes, from wild-patterned shirts and mesh tank tops to the bikini-est of bikini underwear, he hit upon the jackpot.

 

 

 

Girl Picture throws a bucket of emotions into the air and seems them beautifully land a la Jackson Pollock on a canvas of Finnish adolescent sexuality. Alli Haapasalo’s film is the story of three young women coming of age captured on three separate Fridays. Each of the young women is trying to resolve an inner conflict. Ronnko (Eleonoora Kauhanen) is desperate to connect to her sexuality, which, while definitely heterosexual has yet to find practical satisfaction. Emma  (Linnea Leino) is an aspiring figure skating champion who finds that the discipline of competition is overwhelming her sense of self. Mimmi (Aamu Milinoff) is feeling angry, displaced and abandoned as her mother starts to build a new family. AH.

 

 

We got hooked on Matt Carter’s debut feature ‘In From The Side”.  the moment we discovered that the film explores life on and off the pitch at a gay rugby club. When Mark (Alexander Lincoln), a new and inexperienced rugby club member, finds himself drawn to Warren (Alexander King), a seasoned first-team player there is simply no turning back despite the alpha masculinity of all the other players.

 

 

The opening scene of Lonesome resembles a Hollywood Western as our protagonist Casey (Josh Lavery) keeps pace with the sun while running away from his reality. He dons a cowboy hat and the classic blue jeans and white T-shirt combo that immediately endow him with an eye-candy-cum-rebellious persona. His face has the sharpness as well as the vulnerability of youth. Staying true to his young age, he doesn’t miss a chance to sleep with men, even at his lowest moments. His story is that of a rural gay man making his way into the big city. However, what he lacks is hope. His only redeeming quality is his libido. Lonesome treads familiar territory but is boosted by the decadent charm of Josh Lavery and the director’s reluctance to hold back during the ‘depraved’ moments of the narrative. DL.

 

 

 

If you have ever teared up at the PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) contingent at a Pride march, bring out the handkerchiefs for this film. The Mama Bears are moms from a background of fundamentalist, conservative Christianity who face the dilemma of reconciling their profoundly anti-LGBT belief systems and communities with the reality that one of their own beloved children is gay or trans.

The film opens with a montage that includes fire and brimstone denunciations of homosexuality, a bible-reading lesbian who is struggling to “choose” heterosexuality, and a lovely little girl who is dancing in her yard, long dress and long hair flowing as she twirls. A discerning eye might spot that the little girl was born a boy, but if not, all is made clear as we are introduced to her family. Her mother, Kimberly Shappley, quotes from Ecclesiastes 3: To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

 

 

 

PAT ROCCO DARED In this colorful trip back in time, legendary queer filmmaker and trailblazing gay rights activist Pat Rocco shares his incredible life story as one of Hollywood’s original boundary-pushing pioneers. This really is a must-see film to fully understand the history of American queer culture and activism over the past 50 years. Rocco is the most famous gay person you might not have heard about before. Canadian documentary filmmaker Charlie David combines fantastic vintage footage, film clips, and interviews with Rocco and friends such as Phyllis Diller, to tell the story of Rocco, the activist, filmmaker, artist, and entertainer. RF

 

 

Peter Von Kant , from the French gay auteur François Ozon. The film is a free adaptation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder´s The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, a play and a movie that refer to power relations in a triangular situation between women, and gave its director the international recognition he deserved in his short and prolific career.  Ozon makes a turn from the all-female cast into men for the three main characters Peter (Denis Ménochet), silent scene stealer Karl (Stefan Crepon), and Amir (Khalil Ben Gharbia), Isabelle Adjani, and Hanna Schygulla herself were also asked to join and graced the production.

 

 

The Sixth Reel : We think it is no secret that the multi-talent that is Charles Busch was born in the wrong era.  He is the perfect epitome of a glamorous Hollywood star of the 1930s and 1940s: he doesn’t just look the part, but he totally lives it.  So convincingly with all the mannerisms and melodrama, watching his new movie. we revel in turning the clock back for the next 90 minutes 

 

 

 

THE SWIMMER : Erez, a talented young Israeli swimmer, is one of five swimmers selected for a special residential training camp. The swimmers are in competition with each other and the winner will be chosen to join the Israeli Olympic swimming team. Erez (Omer Perelman) meets the beautiful, muscular Nevo (Asaf Jonas), a fellow swimmer at the camp, who slowly awakens subconscious homosexual desires in Erez. However, they both have girlfriends and also have a tough Russian swimming coach (Dima) who does not want the competitors to have friendships with each other. Dima warns Erez to stay away from Nevo, but Erez can’t help himself. Erez and Nevo hang out together at the camp when not training and Erez clumsily attempts to act upon his feelings.

 

 

 

San Diegos' FILM OUT LGBTQ+ Fest will begin on 
9/8 and end on 9/11 To see the whole program 
and book tickets check out      
https://filmoutsandiego.com/

 

For the full reviews of these films and over 1500 
other queer movies check out  
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