Queer love makes it to big screen

City screens will turn a shade of pink this weekend at the third Bangalore Queer Film Festival that will screen some rare films from all across the world

City screens will turn a shade of pink this weekend at the third Bangalore Queer Film Festival that will screen some rare filmsu00a0 from all across the world

Come Friday and you will have a soldier realise that he is gay, two women reveal their complicated relationship with their breasts and a transvestite fall in love with a lesbian. In its third annual edition, Bangalore Queer Film Festival (BQFT) mirrors collective realities of those that the world labels as queer.

Drifting Flowers

With three days packed with 55 feature films, documentaries and shorts from across the world, the festival brings in a collection of films that explore and understand the mental, emotional and physical lives of those, who defy sexual norms.u00a0

Vinay Chandran, the co-organizer of the festival and the executive director of Swabhava, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the queer community, said that all these films aim to break the negative stereotypes that surround the community.

"These are films that touch upon interesting aspects of our lives that may appear as taboo for the mainstream and most of these films will never be screened in movie halls. The festival is an attempt to grab mainstream visual space," confided Chandran in a telephonic interview.

Unlike previous years, this edition of the festival will showcase documentaries made by Bangloreans with exclusive Indian context. All the films participating in the festival were chosen over a period of a year by a jury of ten, who have been involved in writing about films.

Also, there will be panel discussions, poetry sessions and cultural shows to spice up the festival. Describing the collection as eclectic, Chandran says, "The message is not to join the world community but to tell our stories."

At: Alliance Francasie, Vasanthanagar
On: from February 25 to 27, 9.30 am onwards
Call: 9980735911

The Guide gets Vinay Chandran to recommend six flicks from the festival

Brotherhood
Former servicemen Lars and Jimmy are childhood buddies from a Neo-Nazi group. Their relationship develops through phases of friendship, passion and more. However, matters take a dark turn when their illicit relationship becomes public.
Country Denmark
Director Nicolo Donato
On February 25, 8.30 pm
Duration 90 minutes

Splendid Float
Roy, a young priest is a part of a travelling drag show. He has an affair with a fisherman Sunny. When Roy is asked to officiate at Sunny's funeral rites, desires and memories well up.
Country Taiwan
Director Zero Chou
On February 25, 2.50 pm
Duration 1 hour 11 minutes

Drifting Flowers
Three lesbians set out to in search of their true identity. In the first story, Jing, a blind singer falls in love with her tomboy accordionist Diego. Meanwhile, Lily an elderly lesbian and Yen, her gay friend develops an unexpected bond.
Country Taiwan
Director Zero Chou
On February 26, 8.20 pm
Duration 1 hour 37 minutes

Spider Lilies
Jade, a web-cam girl visits Takeko's tattoo studio and is attracted to the image of a spider lily and Takeko herself. To get close with her, Jade asks Takeko to give her the same lily tattoo. However, things change between the two women, when Takeko begins drawing the tattoo.
Country Taiwan
Director Zero Chou
On February 27, 11.10 am
Duration 1 hour 34 minutes

Elvis & Madonna
A love story between young lesbian Elvis and a transvestite Madonna, this romantic comedy explores their lives and love.
Country Brasil
On February 27, 4 pm
Duration 1 hour 45 minutes

XXY
The story revolves around parents, who face a dilemma when their intersex teenage boy runs the risk of turning into a girl forever. Visually stunning with a strong screen play, this feature film has won several accolades at Cannes, Edinburgh and other such festivals.
Country Argentina
Director Lucia Puenzo
On February 27, 8.30 pm
Duration 1 hour 45 minutes