Catch six acclaimed international indie LGBT+ films
Photos: Golden Village
The social climate is ripe for celebrating LGBT+ pride right now.
Within a year, we’ve seen not only Australia and then India take a historic leap to legalise same-sex marriage, but also our very own country step up the pressure on the government to repeal 377A in a huge movement. The work towards marriage equality and acceptance is far from over, but the tide is shifting towards change.
When a social movement starts to gain widespread attention, it’s important to remember the people whose rights we’re fighting for. Who are the LGBT+ individuals? What struggles do they face? Golden Village’s Love & Pride film festival explores those questions and more.
Back for its 10th edition from 4 to 12 October, the film festival zooms in on the theme of acceptance. More than simply acceptance of all sexual and gender orientations, the films screened tackle the universal journey of accepting and loving one’s self.
You’re in for an inspiring celebration of the arts and film too, as Golden Village treats you to six highly acclaimed and award-winning indie films from all over the world. They give you a stimulating peek into queer lives, society, and laws of different countries.
Kicking off the festival on 4 October at GV Grand is Of Love and Law, a unique Japanese documentary film that won multiple awards, including the prestigious Firebird Award at the 2018 Hong Kong International Film. It follows closely the daily lives of two Japanese men, Fumi and Kazu, who are partners in both love and business in their law firm. While their law firm is Japan’s only LGBT+ law firm, they represent anyone who’s socially marginalised, some of whose cases are featured in the film, revealing a darker side to Japan we don’t usually see. The raw, honest, and intimate portrait of the men’s personal and professional lives captivated us when we caught a preview of the film.
Don’t forget to stay behind after the 4 October screening, as you get to ask the film’s director Hikaru Toda questions over an exclusive 30-minute Skype session.
Other highlights include The Miseducation of Cameron Post, the winner of this year’s Sundance grand jury prize from the US. Starring Chloe Grace Moretz as the protagonist Cameron Post, the coming-of-age film shines a spotlight on the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy. The Heiresses (with Spanish dialogue) from Paraguay also deserves a watch for its incisive class commentary from the perspective of a middle-aged lesbian couple.
Rounding out the festival are Sorry Angel (French), I Miss You When I See You (Cantonese) and Alifu, The Prince/ss (Mandarin from Taiwan). You can check out the full schedule of screenings at the GV official website.
Take your family and friends along for an eye-opening experience that inspires conversations all of us, not just members of the LGBT+ community, should have today.
All films in the festival are rated R21, and screened at GV Grand and GV Vivocity cinemas at certain dates. With the exception of the opening night movie, tickets for the screenings are priced at $10 for GV Movie Club and Singapore Film Society members, and $13 for the public. You can purchase tickets at all GV cinemas and on GV’s official website.
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