Gay french films
The Best French LQBTQ+ Movies
June is here! To strike off Pride month, we turn our attention to the realm of French cinema and explore a captivating selection of the best LGBTQ-themed films. From enchanting love stories to thought-provoking narratives, these movies beautifully depict the myriad of experiences within the queer community.
By Sophia Millman
PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE(2019)
Céline Sciamma’s exploration of friendship, love, and art is an absolute masterpiece. Portrait of a Lady on Fire won the Queer Palm at Cannes and was venerated for its historical accuracy, fantastic screenplay, and breathtaking cinematography. And let’s not forget the music: if you haven’t watched the movie yet, prepare to get chills during the bonfire chanting scene. Fix in the 18th century, the movie’s about a young female artist (Noémie Merlant) who is commissioned to paint a portrait on a remote island. Slowly, she gets to know the aloof subject of her portrait (Adèle Haenel) and eventually begins to tutoyer her (as in, address her with the informal pronoun “tu” – see if you notice this critical moment while watching!). Le regard féminin–the female gaze–has
10 great French queer films
Traditionally France has been seen as one of the most liberal countries in the earth, and it boasts an enviable register on gay rights, despite the occasional rantings from Brigitte Bardot. But has this homofriendly attitude translated to its cinema?
We’ve kept the list to films that are easily accessible to watch in the UK, but honourable mention should go to The Ostrich Has Two Eggs (1957), a dated farce that at least has a understanding gay son, albeit one who never appears on screen, and Les Amitiés particulières (1964), set in a boys’ boarding school. Les Nuits fauves (1992) is one of the finest films to deal with the AIDS crisis, while the best labor of the recently deceased Patrice Chéreau (especially 1983’s L’Homme blessé) narrowly missed the cut.
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By signing up to emails you are indicating that you contain read and concur to the terms of use and privacy policy.Where are the lesbians? Wonderful question, as French cinema is particularly strong on sapphic cinema. Alas, pioneering films such as Club de femmes (1936) and Olivia (1950) aren’t easily obtainable in the UK, b
Overview of French LGBT Cinema
French LGBT cinema is a significant part of the French film industry, known for its bold exploration of queer identities, relationships, and societal norms. It has played a crucial role in the representation and inclusion of gender non-conforming narratives in mainstream media, offering diverse and nuanced portrayals of the LGBT community.
Origins of French LGBT Cinema
The origins of French LGBT cinema can be traced back to the early 20th century, evolving over the decades to mirror the changing societal attitudes towards sexuality and gender identity. Initially, films with LGBT themes were subtle, employing innuendos and coded messages to navigate the conservative landscape of the time.
The evolution of French LGBT cinema during the later half of the 20th century marked a significant shift towards more open and explicit representation of homosexual and transgender characters. This shift was influenced by the broader social and political movements advocating for LGBT rights and recognition in France and globally.
French Queer Cinema in the New Era
In the modern era, French queer cinema has gained prominence and respect internationally, with filmm