The 2013 Melbourne Queer Film Festival has arrived. At this year’s festival, there are almost 170 films to choose from and the variety is delectable. Following on from last week’s look at the festival’s special events, here are the films that spiked our curiosity this year in the main program.
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The Invisible Men
The saying ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ does not do justice to the life of gay Palestinian Louie, who lives illegally in Israel. Having sought asylum in Tel Aviv after running away from his home country like hundreds of gay Palestinians, Louie must contemplate that his future cannot be in either country. This heartwrenching and powerful documentary is a must-see.
16 March • ACMI • 4.15pm
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Intersexion
This New Zealand documentary reveals the practice of genital reassignment surgery on intersex children who make up one in every 2,000 babies. Mani Bruce Mitchell, NZ’s first ‘out’ intersex person, travels the world in search of other intersex stories and sheds light on the ethics of this medical practice which has continued since the 1950s. This Melbourne premiere is followed by short film, Vessel for my Heart.
17 March • ACMI Studio • Noon
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Route of Acceptance
Teenage lesbian Ryan Stark is stuck with choosing which university to flee to after high school. It’s a big deal for any young adult, finding out who they are and what they will do in life. For the budding writer, she has three options to decide from. It’s made even more difficult since she doesn’t really know what she wants out of life. So it becomes a game of ‘what ifs’ and ‘if onlys’ which never pans out well.
19 March • Hoyts • 6pm
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Beyond The Walls
This French/Albanian film is a touching story of Paulo, a young pianist who, after a big night on the town, goes home with bartender, Illir. Paulo continues to see Illir, going behind his girlfriend’s back but is caught out soon enough and left homeless. Paulo ends up staying with Illir and, for a time, the two are inseparable until one day Illir does not return. It’s a touching film of love and persistence.
21 March • ACMI • 6.30pm
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A Liar’s Autobiography – The Untrue Story of Monty Python’s Graham Chapman in 3D
You can’t go wrong with Monty Python (actually it can go very wrong) which is why this autobiographical film of the late Python stalwart Graham Chapman is such a treat. There are some 15 different animation styles that present the life of Chapman – who apparently was a gay man, or at least 70 per cent of gay man (you’ll have to watch to understand). Chapman may have died more than 20 years ago but this seems to exude everything that is true Python.
22 March • Hoyts • 6pm
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Strange Frame: Love and Sax
This lesbian futuristic animation will have sci-fi geeks flocking to ACMI. The Australian premiere, clocking at 98 minutes, has Claudia Black (Stargate SG-1), Tara Strong and Tim Curry on board. It’s set in the 29th century – 200 years after the human race abandoned Earth. Parker, a saxophonist, meets singer Naia and forms a band, but Naia quickly rockets to stardom. Soon it is up to Parker to rescue her star-struck lover before it’s too late.
23 March • ACMI • 2pm
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Struck By Lightning (Auslan-interpreted)
“2, 4, 6, 8 – heard you like to fornicate.” Chris Colfer’s directorial debut has tongues wagging, especially since hilarious Australian export Rebel Wilson features as Colfer’s best friend in it. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want Wilson as a BFF. Colfer plays the main role, the blackmailing high school senior, Carson, who has big plans – bigger plans than his small town. That is until he is killed by a bolt of lightning.
24 March • ACMI • 6pm
CHECK OUT OUR MQFF special events feature: More than just films and popcorn
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FULL PROGRAM DETAILS & INFO: www.mqff.com.au
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SNAP! Check out our photos from the 2013 MQFF Program launch in Melbourne, here
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PRESS PLAY: Get some insight into MQFF 2013 here, and check out their super cute 2013 trailer here
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