Greg Thorpe, Festival Director of the GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival gives RTE Culture his Top 10 picks from this year's programme.
In 2023, GAZE Film Festival returns to its traditional August bank holiday slot which means more late night programming and a whole additional day of cinema delights.
This year’s event also marks the thirtieth anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.
GAZE will screen 114 films from 25 countries in five days, which means audiences should be spoiled for choice.
This Top Ten will help you delve into a programme that we hope has something for everyone...
1. The People’s Joker
Vera Drew’s jaw-dropping transgender parody-cum-tribute to the world of Batman was dramatically pulled last minute from our 2022 programme due to potential copyright threats but rises like a phoenix for 2023. Ireland’s only chance to watch on the big screen.
2. The George
Not screened since its 2002 debut at GAZE, this documentary explores the lives of those who frequented Dublin’s landmark gay pub The George, picturing queer life in the new noughties capital. Watch with the original cast as they view the film for the first time in 21 years. Featuring Panti, Veda, Shirley Temple Bar, Brendan Courtney and many more.
3. My Animal
One of a series of new Canadian gems, this teenage lesbian werewolf horror defies genre cliché with a cool Stranger Things aesthetic and classy queer sensibility.
4. Finlandia
The most visually stunning of this year’s features, a third-gender community in Mexico reckon with sex, sexuality, discrimination and Mother Nature herself in this sumptuous drama.
5. Who I Am Not
Setting a new standard for intersex storytelling, this doc charts the very different lives of two South African intersex people sharing their stories towards a revolutionary understanding of sex and selfhood.
6. The Reservoir
A sensual cumulative power propels this tale of family roots, connection and sexuality. Prepare to fall in love with the gentle rugged bearish lead.
7. Le Paradis
Young love and lust emerge in a French reform school where masculinity rules and the heart wants what it wants. Incredible ensemble cast that brought the house down at this year’s Berlinale.
8. Salomé
Celebrate the centenary of an early film classic. Screened at the beautiful Stella Cinema, Rathmines (new for GAZE 2023), this controversial silent take on Wilde’s controversial stage drama with a legendary all-queer cast and a style that looks more modern than ever.
9. 20,000 Species of Bees
Trans cinema breaks new ground and GAZE is the perfect home for it in Dublin. This Spanish tale portrays reality for trans children with a heartwarming cinematic flourish.
10. New Irish Shorts
These are the backbone of GAZE, and this year’s crop of new queer film talent offers everything from a girl’s traveller romance to sock puppet therapy gone wrong to Derry Girl Saoirse-Monica Jackson as a lesbian dominatrix. Unmissable!
The GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival runs at the IFI, Light House and Stella Cinemas, Dublin, and on GAZE Online from 3 – 7 August - find out more here.
