This month sees the 13th Edition of Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest in London’s East End . Each year they showcase an eclectic mix of films, arts and events celebrating LGBTIQA+ stories from around the world, welcoming everybody.  It’s probably the only Fest if it’s kind that Queerguieu covers that is entirely run by volunteers

From feature films to experimental installations, workshops and lively debates to wild parties, Fringe! hosts a multitude of diverse events to tickle every one of the senses. They flood East London’s cinemas, art galleries, pop-up venues, and basement clubs with the powerful, provocative and strange.  A lot of the screenings and events are free or affordable, and Fringe! always remains open to new voices and ideas.

As films are Queeguru’s favorite queer art form, here’s our PICK OF MUST SEE MOVIES

The Opening Night film on September 20th is Tidy Tigers Tied a Tie Tighter a wacky surreal fictional film directed by Brazilian queer filmmaker Gustavo Vinagre .  It won the prestigious Teddy Award at Berlin International Film Festival and you can read our full review HERE

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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

 

 

Orfeas2021 If only there was a Greek word for a marathon, it would perfectly sum up this ambitious, expansive, and demanding futuristic opera that sets the struggle for gay rights against the weight of Greek history. It is based on the original opera L’Orfeo by Monteverdi.

Despite inventive, and often joyously wacky, visuals the heart of this piece is traditional opera. Fussily baroque harpsichords embrace hearty baritones. If you don’t enjoy opera, then no amount of rewriting of traditional stories in a queer context is going to overcome that. However, if the melodrama and the music appeal to you this has much to offer in terms of mythic scope, and contemporary political debate. Straight unions have hogged plenty of the ethereal spotlight that opera creates. Orfeas takes some of it back. 

 

 

Fringe Queer Film & Arts Fest
Full Program & Schedule

LONDON 20-25 SEPT 2022 & YEAR-ROUND