Tropical Alternative Film Festival 2012
Information on films screening in 2012 will be avalible in May
Films Previously Screened in 2011 include:
QAHC and our regional festival committees in association with the Melbourne Queer Film Festival have put together an amazing lineup of films for you to enjoy this year. Each region will be screening slightly different films. A screening program for each region film is comming soon.
Feature Films
The Sea Purple (Viola Di Mare) (MQFF)
Dir: Donatella Maiorca, Italy, 2009, video, 106 min
Italian with English subtitles
Set in 19th century Sicily, and based on a true story, The Sea Purple tells the story of Angela, a rebellious young woman who endures brutal beatings from her father, and is considered possessed due to her attraction to stunning local girl Sara. The women are separated when Sara is forced to move to the mainland. After a number of years, Sara returns and their passionate relationship steps up a notch. When Angela’s father demands that she marry a local quarry worker, she rebels claiming she will instead marry Sara. Angela is immediately imprisoned in a cellar, and only a bribe from her mother can save the situation. In return, Angela must become Angelo and live as a man in order to marry Sara and assume a role working at the quarry.
Maiorca’s film is a sensuous and engaging drama that has the added bonuses of beautiful women and believable love scenes. (Lisa Daniel – MQFF)
BearCity
Dir: Doug Langway, USA, 2010, video, 104 min (MQFF)
Summer in New York City and the bears are coming out to play. Closet ‘admirer’ Tyler is in his early 20s and fantasises about snagging a daddy bear. For the first time he heads off to a bear bar where he meets a group of furry friends: Brent and Fred, a couple who’re thinking of opening up their relationship; and Michael, who’s impending surgery to reduce his weight causes problems with his hot Latino boyfriend, Carlos. The one essential member of the group who’s missing that night is Roger, a sexy silver daddy bear, who just could be the man of Tyler’s dreams. However, when these two meet, obstacles and other men get in their way; but when the chemistry is this right, it’s only a matter of time…
While dealing with some serious issues – weight-loss, monogamy, settling down – BearCity is above all stacks of fun, with a cast that’s very easy on the eye and a script with zinging one-liners! Sexy, funny and romantic, it’s an utter joy – and it doesn’t matter if you’re a member of the bear community or not, this is a film for everyone who loves having a fun time at the movies! Let the fur fly! (Paul Tonta - MQFF)
“A sweet tale worth a ‘Woof’!” Time Out New York
You Should Meet My Son
Dir: Keith Hartman, USA, 2010
A comedy about a conservative Southern mom who discovers that her only son is gay. Determined that he won’t go through life alone and miserable, she sets out to find him the perfect husband!
Documentaries
The Bedroom Commandments
Dir: Malcolm Burt, QLD, 2011, 60 min
We want to know, 'How should I live?' 'Why is the world like this?' and 'What happens when I die'?
Religions give us answers - an endless number of options - and all are convinced that they alone hold the truth. But the major religions tend to agree on one thing - the gays are always going down.
Gays and lesbians live and die at the intersection of sexuality and religion. How and why do they make sense of their faith in the face of centuries of hatred and oppression? The Bedroom Commandments is a 90 minute documentary film about homosexuality and faith.
In it, documentary film maker Malcolm Burt sets out to explore whether or not one can be gay and formally religious. Determined not to be a religion-basher, he is painfully aware that, under the banner of faith, many homosexual people have been rejected, hurt and killed because of their sexual orientation. Scriptural precepts are often perceived as antigay, and homophobia abounds in religious circles - yet there are those who are both homosexual and devout - and proclaim the scripture is misinterpreted. Malcolm struggles to understand how these faithful homosexuals continue to crave acceptance from a club that reviles them - and wonders if religion is not a choice but an accident of birth.
Malcolm interviews a variety of people across a range of ages, backgrounds and faiths. He interviews the non religious and ex religious as well as those currently involved in their church. He invites those still faithful to their religion to explain how they make sense of their convictions in the face of centuries of hatred and oppression. He listens to others describe years of systematic abuse and persecution by religious leaders and followers because of their sexuality. He hears stories of hidden sexuality, brutal reactions to revelations and complete loss of belief. There is anger, hope, fear and enduring faith.
Those who have remained true to their religious doctrine explain how their faith helps them to find meaning and peace - they have welcomed the tradition and structure religion adds to their lives. Others talk about their ejection from an exclusive club – the hetero church. Malcolm includes points of view from a wide spectrum of belief systems and sexual backgrounds, including people whose faith accepts homosexuality. He also converses with experts in the field of religion: a theologian, a sociologist and a moderate Christian pastor who all have differing views on the co-existence of belief and homosexuality.
The stories of suffering and pain are compelling and reveal stoic resilience as well as desperate self-loathing. Cynicism and bitterness lie alongside optimism and forgiveness. Malcolm himself journeys towards a greater understanding and tolerance of the need for religion and, indeed, experiences personally a moment of enlightenment.
Alongside the revealing conversations, Malcolm incorporates incendiary quotes which reflect opinions from both extremes - some are vitriolic and promote violence and bigotry towards homosexuals, while others condemn the narrow views of some religious institutions. These viewpoints are also portrayed in a series of simple yet effective animations which highlight each religion’s attitudes - and contradictions - in regards to homosexuality.
The Bedroom Commandments is a compelling series of conversations which seek to promote discussion and raise awareness of the complexities of faith and sexuality.
Orchids: My Intersex Adventure
Dir: Phoebe Hart, QLD, 2010, 60min
Documentary filmmaker, Phoebe Hart, comes clean on her journey of self-discovery to embrace her future and reconcile the past shame and family secrecy surrounding her intersex condition. Despite her mother’s outright refusal to be in the film, Phoebe decides she must push on with her quest to resolve her life story and connect with other intersex people on camera. With the help of her sister Bonnie and support from her partner James, she hits the open road and reflects on her youth.
Phoebe’s happy and carefree childhood came to an abrupt end at puberty when she was told she would never menstruate nor have children. But the reasons why were never discussed and the topic was taboo. At the age of 17, Phoebe’s mother felt she was old enough to understand the true nature of her body and the family secret was finally revealed. Phoebe then faced an orchidectomy, invasive surgery to remove her undescended testes, the emotional scars of which are still raw today. Phoebe’s road trip around Australia exposes her to the stories of other intersex people and holds a mirror to her own experience. She learns valuable lessons in resilience and healing but also sees the pervasive impact her condition has on all her relationships.
At home, Phoebe and James want to start a family but dealing with infertility and the stress of the adoption process puts pressure on their marriage. Phoebe also starts to understand the difficult decisions her parents faced and is excited but apprehensive when they eventually agree to be interviewed. Will talking openly with her mother give Phoebe the answers she has been looking for?
The Doctor’s Wife
Dir: Jonathan Duffy, QLD, 120mins, 2011
The film began production in September 2008 when Dr Vincent Cornelisse decided to leave Brisbane and move to country Queensland in order to further his career. However, Vincent wouldn't do this without his partner, Jonathan Duffy.
Neither of the two had ever lived in a country town and were excited about the scene change but nervous about how they would be received.
A friend jokingly suggested that Jonathan should film their experience in case they were murdered. Jonathan decided to do this, not because he thought they would be in danger, because he believed that it was going to be a positive and enlightening journey.
The Doctor's Wife explores their journey through Jonathan's eyes. Audiences will get a glimpse into the real life experiences of a rural medical practitioner and his partner.
Short Films
Under Pressure
Dir: Kate Leofe, VIC, 5mins 53 secs, 2011
When gun shots ring out in the quadrangle, library geek Alex finds herself hiding wirh the popular girl Ruby, her secret crush. Will Alex find the courage to reveal her true desire amidst the prevailing fear and confusion.
20 questions from Cairns
Dir: Shandy Whitaker, Qld, 28 min 33 secs, 2011
Eight Lesbians answer 20 questions about life, love and living in Cairns.
Becoming Chad st. James
Dir: Chad St James, QLD, 11min 5 secs, 2010
Chad st James from Brisbane explores how being so many people he has lost himself, through changing their name he discover who he is.
Growing Up Gay
Dir: Anna Nash, QLD, 11mins 12 secs, 2010
A group of young LGBT people from the Gold Coast service QSPACE talk about the challenging issues of coming out and forming their identity.
A Piece of Amandarin: Trans Woman’s Experience
Dir: Hemma Kearney, Production Company: Avogadro Productions, QLD 3mins 30secs, 2011
A short film about Amanda Dean a Trans women and her experience with being trans and the surgery with some fun skateboarding thrown in for the mix.
Tickets are available online here and at Healthy Communities offices.
