Rise of the queer

Five films, based on the stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, will be screened at a three-day LGBT Film Festival, starting June 25,  in the national Capital. The event is being organised by the American Center, in collaboration with Cinedarbaar.

The extravaganza will start with Kissing Jessica Stein starring Jennifer Westfeldt, Heather Juergensen and  Tovah Feldshuh, is about a woman searching for the perfect man, who instead discovers the perfect woman.

But I'm a Cheerleader, starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall and Michelle Williams, which tells a story of a teenager – who is sent to a rehab camp when her parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian – will be screened on the second day. Boys Don't Cry, starring Hilary Swank, Chloe Sevigny and Peter Sarsgaard, will also be screened the same day. 

On the third day audience will be treated to <g data-gr-id="25">Broke back</g> Mountain by Ang Lee, a narrative on the forbidden and secretive relationship between two cowboys and their lives over the years. 

The closing film of the festival will be a documentary directed by Jenny Mackenzie – Lead with Love, a commentary on families’ reaction towards their children being homosexual. The theme of the festival – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month – is celebrated every year in June to honour the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

“The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognise the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history – locally, nationally and internationally,” said the organisers.

Discussions on LGBT are slated to follow post screenings, where themes highlighted in the film will be talked about, the organisers added.