One of the best things about London’s BFI Flare Film festival is the insight we can gain into different queer lives around the world. Diverse ages, genders, neurodiversity and locations are all represented in this

second special selection of short films  at the festival.

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This is a great film. An ageing gay man lives alone in The Philippines. He suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and struggles to hold on to his identity, and the memory of his one true love. Written and directed by Jake Munoz Consing, this beautifully art-directed film features veteran Filipino actor Bodjie Pascua as Eddie.   9/10

Private View

This is an interesting study into the relationship between portrait painter and their sitter. Queer artist Sadie Lee and the non-binary writer Libro Levi Bridgeman have known each other through the London queer club scene for decades. This documentary follows the two in conversation as Sadie paints Libro’s portrait. They discuss their lives, including their gender and sexuality journeys from the 1980’s though to now, culminating with the big reveal when Sadie presents Libro with their portrait. 8/10

Gem

Morgan spends their free time alone in their apartment, spiraling about their shifting gender identity. One afternoon, Morgan has a chance encounter with one of the customers from the clothes shop where they work. This thrusts Morgan out of their normal routine, allowing them to express who they really are. A gentle Australian film inspired by the French New Wave. Written and directed by Jim Muntisov.  8/10

Nuit Blonde

Music-loving Victor is restless in his housing for autistic adults. To avoid the Friday night disco at his house, he heads out into his Canadian town for a walk. There he comes across a young blonde escort who is being given a hard time by a client. The two men connect and spend an evening helping each other out. This is a thought-provoking film that raises as many questions as it answers. Patrick Dorneval is excellent as the thoughtful, loveable Victor. 8/10

Afterparty

An ageing diva, Charlie (David Hoyle), is having a quiet night home alone in London in the bath. Their peace is interrupted by a flatmate (Jeanie Crystal) who brings back a group of friends for a late-night afterparty. Charlie is not happy about this. They have left their old party life behind with no wish to revisit it. Charlie is a bit bitter about the past but Jeanie and the others help them relax and put past trauma, nostalgia, loneliness, fantasy, and disappointment into context.  8/10

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

for full reviews of over 1500 queer films check out www.queerguru.com and whilst you are there be sure to subscribe to get all the latest raves and rants on queer cinema …best of all its FREE 

BFI FLARE Film Fest began on 3/15 and will end on 3/26. To see the whole program and book tickets check out  https://www.bfi.org.uk/