Even though Pride Month is already over, sexuality and its various different expressions are still a complex topic in lack of true understanding that surely transgresses the period of 30 days. Reflection and the desire to learn are key. Luckily for us, the cinematic and television industries have, in the past years, ventured into embracing the stories, the voices of those who often live outside the margins of a dominating heteronormative society. With this being said, I bring to you my top 8 films and tv-shows that have helped me become more aware, understanding and compassionate.
1. Who doesn't love Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera)? Or even Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss)? Glee was one of the first television series that I watched as a young teenager that wasn't from Disney Channel. On top of that, it was also one of the first shows that I watched where homosexuality and sexuality were openly talked about within a story that revolves around the eventful lives of teenagers. It is an easy watch where comedy, music and drama meet to teach young people how to be accepting and open. Plus, it's a Ryan Murphy creation (no need to say anything more).
2. The Danish Girl, a Tom Hooper film from 2015, tells the story of one of the first sex reassignment surgeries to be ever performed. Through the divine performance of Eddie Redmayne, the audience is shown, intimately, what it feels like to live in a body that does not meet your soul. An Oscar nominated, a masterpiece of acting and storytelling. In here, transsexuality is explained in a manner that everyone can comprehend.
3. And the Oscar goes to... Moonlight. Barry Jenkins brings together masculinity, heteronormativity, homosexuality, bullying and racism in one film. To see beyond our realities is important, and this film teaches us to do exactly that; to understand what it means to be a black man, a homosexual, and an easy target of mockery. This is not a text that warms your heart, but that, on the other hand, asks you to be empathetic.
4. Antici...pation! Madness takes over and the audience is invited to a crazy ride of queerness and an openness of sexual deviance and liberation. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Jim Sharman, 1978) is a gem that I only had the pleasure to watch recently. It changed me, for the better. I'm sure it will change you. If nothing else, Susan Sarandon is in it, and her singing voice is quite...something.
5. I cried. Timothy cried. We all cried. Call me by your name (Luca Guadagnino, 2017) was not only the film that introduced Chalamet to the wider audience, but also a romance protagonised by two homosexual characters. The story is beautiful and compelling, or was it not adapted from a book, but also extremely intimist and an emotion-explorer. Just grab the popcorn and be ready to shed a tear. Or two.
6. Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee, 2005) is a beautiful film, not only for its story, but for the performances of Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger. It takes us to the West and the steep mountains; it takes us to the vast landscapes; it takes us to the minds of the protagonists and their loneliness in a space where human contact appears to be way too distant. I dare to say this was one of the pioneers into portraying homosexuality on screen in such an intimate, beautiful and touching manner, without falling into the precipice of antagonisation.
7. For those of you who love documentaries, Paris is Burning (Jennie Livingston, 1990) is the one to watch. It's straight to the point and explanatory. I only watched it recently after growing interested in the ball culture and 'Voguing' in the 80's. Above all, it shows the audience the importance of the sense of 'community' and acceptance that is so needed, and still so underrated.
8. Live, Work...POSE! One of my personal favourites, or is it not another Ryan Murphy creation. The show hits the wound with no fear, with a clear purpose of educating and promoting empathy. A lot of the characters are fictionalised, others one will recognise from the documentary Paris is Burning, that constitutes a clear inspiration. The soundtrack is more than good, the actors equally outstanding, and Pray Tell (Billy Porter) is the slay of a lifetime.
This is my list. What is yours?
Most of the shows and films recommended here can be watched on demand, so please do check them out. Each of these have something special that has truly added a bit more understanding and explanation to my life.