The entire month of June is celebrated as Pride month worldwide, propelling people to celebrate their sexuality and choices. This uprising for freedom, love, and diversity was set into motion nearly 50 years ago when the police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The riots that followed catalysed the LGBTQIA rights movement and ever since 1969, it has only become bigger and stronger each year. Under normal circumstances, we would have witnessed several Pride events, festivals and marches lined up, and roads filled with colour, conversation and happiness. Unfortunately, this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, more than two thousand pride marches stand cancelled, globally. Even then, protests against systematic racial injustice, institutional suppression and discrimination have been going on globally. These do not exist in isolation from the LGBTQIA movement. These various identities intersect with one another to create a unique lived experience for each person. Hence, even though some pride marches will be held this month, they will not be festive, rather they will elevate and protect the BIPOC community. Having said that, there’s a lot you can do to celebrate Pride month staying at home. In light of this, we have rounded up five LGBTQIA centred movies you absolutely must watch.
LOEV
Sudhanshu Saria’s debut feature film, Loev starring Dhruv Ganesh and Shiv Pandit, explores the relationship between two friends who admit their attraction for each other on a roadtrip. The development of the dynamics of their relationship is captured in a complex manner, far from the usual depiction of homosexual romance on-screen. The narrative trajectory of the intentionally misspelled Loev is not dominated by the sexual preferences of the protagonist, rather it focuses on their individual complexities and the pathos of their stories, in the middle of which their romance fits seamlessly. The movie also grapples with the much needed conversation surrounding consent, especially in the queer community.
Where to watch: Netflix
ELISA AND MARCELA
Directed by Isabel Coixet, this Spanish drama is based on the real life story of the first same-sex marriage recorded in Spain’s Catholic Church in 1901, between Elisa Sánchez played by Natalia de Molina and Marcela Gracia played by Greta Fernández. They'd dressed up as a heterosexual couple in order to legalize their matrimony. Although the beginning is a little tedious, the movie builds up gradually and has an emotional ending that is sure to leave the viewers wanting to read up more on this iconic Spanish lesbian couple.
Where to watch: Netflix
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer, is undoubtedly one of the most popular films with a storyline based on same sex romance. It is adapted from the novel of the same name by André Aciman. Set 'somewhere in Northern Italy' in the summer of 1983, it revolves around the relationship between seventeen year old Elio and a graduate student Oliver, assistant to Elio’s father, an archeology professor. The cinematography and aesthetic of the movie makes it a visual treat. Combined with a stellar performance by the actors and a brilliant soundtrack, Call Me By Your Name is bound to leave a lasting impression.
Where to watch: Mubi
MOONLIGHT
Winner of three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Moonlight directed by Barry Jenkins is based on Tarell Alvin McCraney's unpublished semi-autobiographical play 'In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.' Even though the issues of identity have been traversed by numerous dramatic films before, very few of them depict and explore these complexities as beautifully and eloquently as Moonlight does. Deeply grounded in an exploration of its main character, Chiron, played by Trevante Rhodes, the film deals with the universal themes of sexuality, identity, family and masculinity. The film is divided into three chapters — 'Little,' 'Chiron' and 'Black' — the three names used to refer to the same person that we follow from childhood through adolescence to adulthood. An emotionally stirring and impactful piece of cinema, Moonlight is arguably one of the best movies to stream this Pride month.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video/Mubi
MARGARITA WITH A STRAW
Exploring the dual themes of disability and sexuality, Margarita with a Straw, directed by Shonali Bose and starring Kalki Koechlin, chronicles the life of a young Indian woman with cerebral palsy, coming to terms with her sexual identity. Kalki’s performance as Laila has been critically acclaimed and for good reason. Very rarely do mainstream Bollywood films deal with the topics that are at the center of the plot in this film, and when they do, it is usually a hit or miss. It’s safe to say, Margarita with a Straw is a deeply moving hit, sure to linger in the mind of the audience long after the film is over.
Where to watch: Netflix
Text Samadrita Khasnabis