There are a lot of inequalities or topics not covered in the mainstream media even though strides have been made in the LGBTQ+ community in the last few decades. And with cinema having always been an outlet for the repressed and overlooked parts of society, that tradition continues in these newer films.
There are a number of modern LGBTQ+ movies already deemed new classics among cineastes—Call Me By Your Name, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Love, Simon and Moonlight—so their exclusion is only trivial. Whereas this collection, with each entry released in the last couple of years, hopes to bring light to underseen movies with similar themes and subject matter.
Saturday Church (2017)
The function and seeking out of chosen families are both explored in the beautiful and touching Saturday Church. When young Ulysses goes in look for an escape from a troubling home life, the teenager finds refuge in a group for transgender .
Damon Cardasis's musical drama beautifully spotlights the intersection between POC and transgender people with gorgeous cinematography and frankness.
1985 (2018)
1985 is a story many LGBTQ+ folks will relate to; someone returning to their hometown and confronting their traditional family and coming out to them. Yen Tan's stark drama also touches on the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s.
Cory Michael Smith (Gotham) plays a gay man who visits his conservative family in Dallas after moving away to New York. He has a secret to tell them, but there never seems to be a right time to talk. The right time eventually comes and it is heartbreaking. The movie also stars Jamie Chung and Virginia Madsen, both of whom are splendid in their respective roles.
Nina Wu (2019)
The thin line between reality and fiction is blurred in this deep-cutting Taiwanese psycho-drama. Wu Ke-xi not only plays the title character, she also co-wrote the script. It's an exhilarating and nihilistic stunner of a movie that will leave audiences unsure yet completely captivated.
The titular character leaves her small town to become an actor. This entails a lot of grueling auditions and compromises that eat away at Nina. The sacrifices she's made to reach this point however, only further the inner turmoil.
Goodbye Mother (2019)
The unique social and family environs of Vietnam are explored in this affecting and groundbreaking movie. Heartful and frank, Goodbye Mother sees how one man comes to grips with his complicated family's troubles and how not being honest about his partner only hurts him.
When Van returns home to Vietnam for the relocation of his father's tomb, he brings along a "friend" from America. His family is none the wiser at first, but eventually, Van has no choice but to be honest and accept how everyone–especially his mother–will react.
And Then We Danced (2019)
This hidden gem is set in Georgia, an East-European country where LGBTQ+ rights remain an ongoing hot topic both socially and legally. And Then We Danced doubles as both a dance movie and a topical drama concerning the aforesaid issues. Naturally acted and stirringly honest, the film will attach itself to viewers' hearts with little effort.
When a promising young dancer at the National Georgian Ensemble is caught off guard by the appearance of a new and talented rival, he is as surprised as anyone when he falls in love with him. Their relationship, however, is kept a secret given the consequences if they were ever to be outed.
Summer of 85 (2020)
Not a lot of modern movies nail the eighties milieu, but Summer of 85 comes rather close. Director François Ozon has been embraced as a progressive storyteller who often crosses lines to incite a genuine reaction from his audiences. Meanwhile, this coming-of-age drama is far less contentious than something like Ozon's Criminal Lovers and Swimming Pool. In reality, 85 is an affecting story despite the ominous setup.
The French-Belgian movie starts off with a teenager named Alexis in the midst of dealing with the consequences of a crime he committed. It all seems sinister, but as the film gradually recounts the events leading up to the offense, viewers become less anxious. Like so many love stories, this one is triggered by a meet-cute; Alexis is rescued at sea by a handsome and mysterious young man. They first become friends before itting their romantic feelings.
Cowboys (2020)
Steve Zahn plays the father in this moving drama about family. When his young daughter comes out as trans, only Zahn's character is accepting; his wife, played by Jillian Bell, is less open-minded and refuses to acknowledge her daughter's transition. The problem escalates to the father "abducting" his child, and from there, a statewide manhunt begins. However, the authorities don't know the whole story.
Cowboys has the chance to become treacly, yet it reels itself in and stays the course without schmaltziness. Viewers end up with an important lesson about acceptance and respect regarding trans issues.
Bit (2019)
Bit refits the classic vampire story so it fits a contemporary audience. This includes the addition of trans actress Natalie Maines–who Supergirl fans may recognize as Nia Nal–as the character at the center of this bloodthirsty tale.
When Maines' character Laurel visits her brother in Los Angeles, she gets mixed up with a clan of teenage girls who are really vampires. The four are refreshingly accepting and inclusive without conditions, but Laurel soon finds she doesn't agree with her new friends' after-hours activities.
Shiva Baby (2020)
Fans of Uncut Gems will experience a similar amount of stress in Shiva Baby. This trapped-house dramedy does very little to calm the audience's nerves, and it rarely take a break from tormenting its frazzled protagonist.
When the main character Danielle attends a shiva with her parents, she is subjected to emotional strain from all sides. Not only do her parents disapprove of her life and academic choices, her ex-girlfriend is sending mixed signals. Adding to the pressure is the appearance of Danielle's client from her "sugar baby" side job—and the wife she never knew existed.
The Half Of It (2020)
Modern cinema has made strides when presenting happier endings and futures for young LGBTQ+ folks. Alice Wu, the director of Saving Face, makes a startling comeback with The Half of It, a heart-moving and delightful comedy set in high school.
Ellie Chu is the reserved musician who harbors secret feelings for a popular female classmate. Yet when a mutual peer asks Ellie to help him win her heart, she agrees without realizing the toll it would have on herself.
