{"id":340,"date":"2021-07-26T10:26:20","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T10:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/?p=340"},"modified":"2024-12-11T14:52:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T14:52:20","slug":"norwich-pride-2021-lgbtq-shorts-from-nff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/2021\/07\/26\/norwich-pride-2021-lgbtq-shorts-from-nff\/","title":{"rendered":"Norwich Pride 2021: LGBTQ+ Shorts from NFF"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Zo\u00eb Blacklock<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

This Saturday is Norwich Pride 2021<\/a>! In support of this wonderful annual event, we want to celebrate LGBTQ+ filmmaking by looking back at some recent films shown at NFF that are available to watch online right now, for free! Every year at NFF we programme a strand dedicated to LGBTQ+ themed films, and the following shorts provide a vivid cross section of the range of queer storytelling on offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

My Brother is a Mermaid <\/strong>(Alfie Dale, NFF 2020)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Winner of the NFF award for Best British Film in 2020, this short is described by director Alfie Dale as a \u2018social realist fairy-tale,\u2019 as it uses a touch of the mythological to explore ideas of gender and the close bond between two siblings, Kai (Cameron Maydale), a transgender teenager, and their younger brother, Kuda (Aidan Broderick). Working with the charity Mermaids to authentically bring a story of trans experience to life, the film is sensitive and empathetic, with compelling performances from its two young leads who are more than convincing as a pair bound together by their unconditional love for one another. Visually the film excels as it capitalises on the wistfulness of its rural seaside setting, and it leaves you longing to spend more time with these delightful characters.<\/p>\n

Watch on Vimeo<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Leopard (James Arden, NFF 2020)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Another film from the 2020 Festival, Leopard <\/em>depicts the complexities of navigating sexual identity and early womanhood in the face of misogyny. Rocky (Elisha Applebaum) is a slightly timorous teenager whose trips to the local laundrette evolve from a mundane chore into a chance for self-discovery when she meets, and becomes infatuated with, the more assertive Sasha (Eleanor Grace). Director James Arden states that the film is \u2018intentionally composed and claustrophobic,\u2019 which effectively comes through in its use of close-ups and a tight aspect ratio that seems to push the characters further in towards each other. Also notable is its use of colour, as the sunshine yellow of the washing machines adds a sense of optimism to Rocky\u2019s story as she learns to become more confident and independent.<\/p>\n

Watch on Vimeo<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Things That Happen in the Bathroom (Edward Hancox, NFF 2019)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Things That Happen in the Bathroom <\/em>depicts exactly what its title describes, resulting in an almost vignette-like structure as we only see our protagonist, Jak (John Calvin Pierce), through a series of events that unfold in their bathroom. This includes the film\u2019s comically excruciating opening of an awkward and unrequited post-hookup invitation to stay the night, or Jak\u2019s attempts to relax in a blissful bubblebath. Drawing a heart in the steamy condensation of the bathroom mirror, insecurity radiates from Jak, and the film underlines the idea of your bathroom as a space for both safety (a chance to lock the door and spend time alone) and vulnerability (especially when sharing the space with someone else). In order to navigate the duality of such a space, Things That Happen in the Bathroom<\/em> explores the key role played by communication and consent, and the importance of ensuring sexual partners feel safe. The short was shot on film, giving it a glorious visual texture, and its meticulously composed images make it a joy to watch.<\/p>\n

Watch on YouTube<\/a> (This film is age restricted so don’t forget to log in!)<\/p>\n

\n

\n

Sequins (Michael Beddoes, NFF 2019)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Sequins <\/em>is a heart-warming coming of age story following the 17-year-old Paul (Robbie Gaskell) as he explores his sexual identity and secret dream of becoming a drag queen. Gaskell\u2019s performance is delightful and the film shines the most when it depicts the sheer joy felt by Paul as he becomes more immersed in the drag world through Blackpool\u2019s \u2018The Sequin Club\u2019, which allows him to find a mentor in cabaret drag performer Mimi Le Purr (James Dreyfus). The film effectively uses familiar tropes of the genre, including school bullies (though this is done in a way that allows the film to keep a more light-hearted edge), and Paul\u2019s desire not to disrupt his parents\u2019 heteronormative vision of him, as he feigns attending football practice as an excuse to practice his drag act. Ultimately, the film leaves you feeling glorious as Paul\u2019s confidence swells and he is able to show his true-self to his friends and family.<\/p>\n

Watch on Vimeo<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n

Bleach (Jesse Lewis-Reece, NFF 2018)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Bleach <\/em>uses the inherent, and often destructive, masculinity of its boxing gym setting to portray a tense yet sincere story of belonging and reconnection as Jay (Elijah Harris) reunites with the gym\u2019s owner, Shane (Kru Lundy), who is also Jay\u2019s father. Stylistically, the film is firing on all cylinders, though it never feels overwrought. Instead, its often-frenetic editing and camera movement highlight the precarity of Jay\u2019s situation, emphasising Harris\u2019 performance and creating a deeply empathetic film. As Jay is increasingly accepted within the boxing community both apprehension and joy become visceral for the viewer. Bleach <\/em>is one of those accomplished shorts that leaves you eager to watch more of the filmmakers\u2019 work.<\/p>\n

Watch on Vimeo<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The post Norwich Pride 2021: LGBTQ+ Shorts from NFF<\/a> appeared first on Norwich Film Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Zo\u00eb Blacklock This Saturday is Norwich Pride 2021! In support of this wonderful annual event, we want to celebrate … Continue ReadingNorwich Pride 2021: LGBTQ+ Shorts from NFF<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=340"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":343,"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/340\/revisions\/343"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=340"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=340"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/danyusports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=340"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}