One of the most-anticipated sections of the QCinema International Film Festival is the RainbowQC Competition, which presents a stellar lineup of films about the experiences of the LGBT community. Last year, the Festival brought us critically acclaimed LGBT international films such as Eliza Hittman’s “Beach Rats”, Naoko Ogigami’s “Close-Knit”, Palatpol Mingpornpichit’s “Fathers”, Jennifer Reeder’s “Signature Move”, and Dome Karukoski’s “Tom of Finland”. It also featured a local LGBT film with Gerardo Calagui’s “Mga Gabing Kaskinghaba ng Hair Ko”.
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QCinema 2018 stays true to RainbowQC’s mission to give visibility to the noteworthy cinematic craftsmanship of LGBT international films. See below the stellar lineup of LGBT films featured in RainbowQC:
QCinema 2018: RainbowQC Competition
1985 (2018)
Director: Yen Tan
Writers: Hutch, Yen Tan
Starring: Virginia Madsen, Jamie Chung, Michael Chiklis
Synopsis: “1985” focuses on the story of a closeted young man struggling to reveal his identity to his conservative family. The narrative feature from Yen Tan lends a viewpoint of the gay community during the AIDS epidemic in 1985. It focuses on the hostility of small-town families grasping the idea of homosexuality.
The film, shot in black-and-white Super 16, won the Jury Award at the Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2018.
Hard Paint (2018)
Directors: Filipe Matzembacher, Marcio Reolon
Writers: Filipe Matzembacher (screenplay), Marcio Reolon (screenplay)
Starring: Shico Menegat, Bruno Fernandes, Guega Peixoto
Synopsis: Set in Brazil’s southern city of Porto Alegre, the film focuses on a socially repressed young man who only comes out of his shell during chatroom performances, when he strips and smears neon paints on his lithe body.
“Hard Paint” won the 2018 Teddy Awards in Berlin as the best LGBT-themed feature film.
The Heiresses (2018)
Director: Marcelo Martinessi
Writer: Marcelo Martinessi
Starring: Ana Brun, Margarita Irun, Ana Ivanova
Synopsis: “The Heiresses” follows the lives of the middle-aged couple, Chela (Ana Brun) and her partner of 30 years, Chiquita (Margarita Irún), who suffered financial hard times. The female-driven feature from Marcelo Martinessi explores the journey of self-discovery and awakening, captivating viewers with the superb acting of Ana Brun.
The film won the FIPRESCI prize at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival. It was also selected as the Paraguayan entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.
Knife + Heart (2018)
Director: Yann Gonzalez
Writers: Yann Gonzalez, Cristiano Mangione
Starring: Vanessa Paradis, Kate Moran, Nicolas Maury
Synopsis: Paris, summer 1979. Anne is a producer of gay porn at discount. When Loïs, her editor and companion, leaves her, she attempts to reclaim her by turning a film more ambitious with the flamboyant Archibald.
“Knife + Heart” is the Prix Jean Vigo 2018 winner.
Sorry Angel (2018)
Director: Christophe Honoré
Writer: Christophe Honoré
Starring: Vincent Lacoste, Pierre Deladonchamps, Denis Podalydès
Synopsis: Jacques is an older writer from Paris. Arthur is a young student in Rennes. They instantly fall in love. But they’ll have to face rejection and sickness to keep it that way.
The International Cinephile Society bestowed the Best Screenplay award to “Sorry Angel” at the 2018 ICS Cannes Award.
The Wound (2017)
Director: John Trengove
Writers: John Trengove, Thando Mgqolozana
Starring: Nakhane Touré, Bongile Mantsai, Niza Jay
Synopsis: John Tregove’s “The Wound” delves into the traditions of Xhosa, the second largest cultural group in South Africa. The coming-of-age drama speaks about the Xhosa initiation into manhood, striking issues of masculinity and sexual identity.
“The Wound” is the Jury Award winner at the 2017 World Cinema Amsterdam.
QCinema presents RainbowQC from October 21 to 30, 2018, at Gateway Mall (Cineplex 10); Robinsons Galleria (Robinsons Movieworld); and Ayala Malls Cinema in Trinoma and U.P. Town Center. Visit qcinema.ph/rainbowqc for more details.