Alaska is a Drag playing at VQFF.
By Tayvie Van Eeuwen
@tayvieeee
Kicking off on August 9, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival is an intriguing, fabulous, and powerful 11-day celebration. “We now see queer, trans, and two-spirit themed films routinely winning awards and gaining wide viewership,” says Co-Artistic Director, Amber Dawn. “Even with this recognition, there are still so many stories to be told and so many innovative possibilities for media-based storytelling. You’ll only get a chance to see groundbreaking stories like these at festivals like Vancouver Queer Film Festival.” Vancouver is lucky to have a complete line up of queer and trans films highlighting everything from intense narratives to unexpected love stories. Treat yourself to a night out while engaging in this artistically and culturally rich event.
Take a look at the five LGBTQ2S films not to be missed.
…and the unclaimed
This film delves into the social conditions of queer and trans folks in India; a tenuous existence riddled with the label of “unclaimed.” Through the deaths of Swapna and Schucheta, the audience will witness the stories of ordinary queer and trans people in India, with the addition of activists and advocates. You don’t want to miss this story of revolutionary action to be accepted and experience the right to live and love. Learn more about it here.
The Fruit Machine
“Today we acknowledge an often-overlooked part of Canada’s history. Canada’s role in the systemic oppression, criminalization, and violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirit communities.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
On November 28, 2017, Justin Trudeau delivered a historic apology to LGBTQ2S Canadians, but how many people know the depth of Canada’s queer history? The Fruit Machine explores survivor accounts of a four decade long homosexual witch hunt. Aimed at revealing and remembering Canada’s past, this film will tug at your heart and break it all at once. More details can be found here.
Alaska Is A Drag
In this story, Leo and his sister Tristen elegantly pave their way through their small Alaskan town, dreaming of going to a larger and more hopeful city. However, when Leo is given an opportunity to train for an upcoming boxing match on the same night as his drag debut, he jumps at the chance. At odds against his evangelical father and surrounding homophobic townspeople, Leo must prove he can both kick ass and be glamorous. Watch this film for a beautiful narrative of inner and outer conflict, mixed in with humour and tender moments. Snag tickets here.
Apricot Groves
This film is known as one of the most widely screened transgender titles of 2017, accumulating 27 international festival award nominations and 13 wins. The story follows Aram, an Iranian-Armenian who has lived out his childhood in America and returns to Armenia for two reasons: to meet his girlfriend’s family and ask for permission to marry her, and to receive gender affirming surgery. Within one day, Aram undertakes a fierce emotional journey alongside his brother Vartan. Find more information here.
Call Her Ganda
Following the 2014 murder of Jennifer Laude, a Filipina trans woman, by a US Marine, local and international outcry has sparked intense conversation. The documentary follows three women involved in the case: her mother, hungry for justice; American-Filipina trans journalist, Meredith Talusan; and lawyer Virgie Suarez. In the fight for justice, the film documents the link between American Imperialism and violence against trans women, and forces us to ask questions about sovereignty, justice, and the right to self-determination. Look here for more.
The Vancouver Queer Film Festival is on from August 9-19 at various Vancouver venues.
A self-declared witch, Tayvie spends her time with all things magic. She loves a good sunset, iced coffee, and every known essential oil. Catch her chilling with her black-cat sidekick, Shadow, and hiding by the ocean. Look for her bold eyebrows and vintage style, and you’re bound to find her.
