Frameline: What to watch at world’s longest-running LGBTQ film fest ...Middle East

Frameline49, the latest iteration of the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, has much to explore with its diverse slate of nearly 150 films. The world’s oldest, longest running LGBTQ+ film fest runs through June 28 in San Francisco and Oakland.

This year, it arrives at a hard time, in the shadows of blows to LGBTQ+ rights from a combative, non-queer-or-trans-friendly U.S. administration. The rash of recent actions against the LGBTQ community, especially trans rights, hang over the fest and Pride Month activities in general.

Related Articles

Yet there’s an undeniable power and a sense of unity and strength to be gained from watching queer stories told by queer filmmakers in a safe haven where what’s seen can engage, thrill, educate, inspire and sometimes just make you laugh.

“I want to emphasize how deeply I value the extraordinary work of our filmmakers this year — their vision and courage are truly remarkable,” said Frameline’s Executive Director Allegra Madsen. “All of us are weathering challenges that threaten our identities, our histories, and our everyday lives. Like many of you, I’m exhausted and angry. With Frameline49, I want us to examine our past of LGBTQ+ activism and art and I want to honor the powerful stories of this moment, to remind us all that Frameline is both a celebration and a statement. We’ll still engage in difficult conversations and recognize the realities reflected in our films, but we’ll also create spaces where we can untense our shoulders and laugh together, without having to defend our existence.”

The festival features excellent of-the-moment features that tap into relevant issues, including Sam Feder’s “Heightened Security” (9 p.m. June 20, Toni Rembe Theater, San Francisco), an excellent fly-on-the-wall documentary that observes ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio preparing for his historic appearance in front of the Supreme Court for a landmark trans case.

Here are 13 films we recommend seeing.

“She’s the He”: Siobhan McCarthy’s raucous debut gives us the trans teen comedy we’ve all been carving, a ribald renovation of moldy, offensive tropes that is full of queer joy. In it, best friends Alex (Nico Carney) and Ethan (Misha Osherovich) impersonate trans women so Alex can be next to his crush Sasha (Malia Pyles). Nothing goes as planned, including when Ethan discovers that playing the part of a trans woman leads to an epiphany and a new lease on life. “She’s the He” is hilarious and raunchy and contains so much energy it all but bursts out from the screen. It’s utterly irresistible. Screening: 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Roxie, San Francisco

“Diciannove”: In this unique, immersive drama that reveals its ultimate hand in the final moments, the interior world of a socially awkward 19-year-old bisexual Italian student (Manfredi Marini, in an auspicious debut) comes into near focus as he navigates life in Siena. It is there he lives in a haze, sometimes avoiding human interaction, sometimes seeking it out. Director Giovanni Tortorici creates strong visuals for a rather opaque plot that slaps you in the face at the end. Screening: 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Roxie.

“#300 Letters”: An online hookup evolves into a fiery romantic partnership for two very dissimilar Argentine men — gym bunny Jero (Cristian Mariani) and ambitious performance artist Tom (Gastón Frías). When Tom dumps Jero, he leaves his jilted lover a box of letters that divulge some intimate thoughts and more. Lucas Santa Ana’s dramedy has a few surprises up its sleeve with flashbacks to some OMG moments. The cast is great and a plot turn adds dimension. Screening: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Vogue Theatre, San Francisco.

“Lesbian Space Princess”: Princess Saira (voice of Shabana Azeez) is an outer space doormat to all, including her narcissistic parents and a self-absorbed ex who uses her for selfish purposes. Saira gains light years of confidence when she tries to save that ex from a batch of Straight White Maliens (hilarious) holding her hostage. This award winner (it won the Teddy at the Berlin Film Festival) is non-stop rowdy fun and fires off one hilarious line after another. I couldn’t stop laughing while watching Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese’s directorial debut, a comedy that begs to be watched over and over again, and with a crowd. Screening: 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Roxie.

“Twinless”: Director/star James Sweeney delivers on the edgy promise of his standout 2019 debut “Straight Up” with a snappy, cringey dramedy in which a gay man (Sweeney) poses as grieving twin so he can get close to another guy (Dylan O’Brien) who is struggling with the loss of his twin brother. “Twinless” dares to go places few films venture and dredges up prickly questions that have no clear answers. It’s shocking and quite sexy, too. Screening: 8:30 p.m. June 28, Herbst Theater, San Francisco; closing night film.

“Lucky, Apartment”: There’s little wonder why the nine-year relationship of Seonwoo and Heeseo is feeling the heat. Seonwoo just lost her job due to an injury while Heeseo can’t catch a break at her demanding job and nosy relatives who want to set her up with guys. Heeseo remains closeted both on the job and with her family. Meanwhile, the restless Seonwoo smells a vile stench from the apartment below where a lonely woman lives, and investigates. Director Kangyu Garam’s powerful debut finds two South Korean women battling outside forces that threaten their happiness and their relationship. It’s not a total downer but it’s not an upper either. But it does seem like the work of a veteran filmmaker. Screening: 1 p.m. June 26, Roxie.

“Night Stage”: Remember all those addictive erotic thrillers that revolved around a clandestine, combustible relationship that got so hot it could only lead to burning one or both lovers in the process? If you miss those guilty pleasures as much as I do, dive right into Brazilian filmmakers Filpe Matzembacher and Marcio Reolon’s sexy well-made bit of eye candy. In it, two ambitious gay men — up-and-coming politico Rafael (Cirillo Luna) and second-tier actor Mattias (Gabriel Faryas) — gain career cred while also getting their kinky on by having sex in public spaces. But neither guy is above code switching to better their careers. “Night Stage” is seductive and alluring (the cinematography is topnotch) but it also has a jagged point to it that the directing duo effectively slams home. Screening: 5:45 p.m. June 28, Herbst Theater, San Francisco.

“Plainclothes”: The straight world of undercover cop Lucas (Tom Blyth) unravels when he becomes inexorably drawn to married man Andrew (Russell Tovey) at a mall bathroom where he’s been assigned to target gay men in a sting operation. Carmen Emmi’s first feature is set in ‘90s Syracuse, New York, and is inspired by actual events. It rings with authenticity, too. Blyth gives an excellent performance and makes us feel Lucas’ advancing desperation. Screening: 5:30 p.m. June 19; Vogue Theater.

“Sauna”: Handsome bathhouse worker Johan (Magnus Juhl Andersen) enjoys a robust noncommittal sexual life in Copenhagen, preferring hookups over relationships. Then he meets William (Nina Rask), a trans man, who rocks his world and challenges his perceptions, including some notions he didn’t know he had. Writer-director Mathias Broe’s extra-hot debut excels at giving us two very complex characters along with two terrific lead performances and dares to ask some provocative questions. Screening: 6 p.m. June 25, the New Parkway, Oakland.

“A Body to Live In”: Fakir Musafar’s mom hoped her young son would become a Lutheran minister. Her wish never came true. The iconic Menlo Park figure known for his BDSM performance art and for being the linchpin for the “modern primitives” cultural movement gravitated toward a radically different path. Director Angelo Madsen chronicles his life, influence and legacy along with the controversies — including claims of cultural appropriation from within the Indigenous community — for a fascinating and frank deep dive into this movement and how it holds existential meaning, pleasure and power for those participating in body play and body modification. Be aware there are explicit depictions of body modifications. Bay Area artist Annie Sprinkle — whose film “Playing With Fire: An Ecosexual Emergency,” which she co-directed with Beth Stephens and which is slated to be screened June 20 at Frameline — is featured in this provocative, well-made documentary. Screening: 8 p.m. June 19, Roxie.

“Dreamers”: Director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s concise, focused debut takes the hot button topic of undocumented people seeking asylum and vividly illustrates what it is like to be someone held in a U.K. detention center awaiting word on  your fate. Loosely inspired by her own background, Gharoro-Akpojotor’s tense feature puts a human face on a dire situation as Isio, a queer Nigerian fleeing a country where she could get killed for who she is, breaks down her guard thanks to another asylum seeker she rooms with and who is also caught up in a harsh system. Screening: 8:30 p.m. June 25, the New Parkway.

“The Nature of Invisible Things”: Rafaela Camelo’s gentle, transcendent debut casts a unique spell as it guides us through a new friendship between 10-year-old Gloria (Laura Brandão) and Sophia (Serena) and also their moms. The girls meet at a hospital where Gloria’s mom works tirelessly and where Sophia’s great-grandma is a patient. Their moms strike up a friendship, too, and after Sophia’s great-grandma gets released, they spend more time together over a summer in Brazil. Camelo’s lovely feature explores how liberating and comforting it can be when revelations about oneself – be that a child or an adult – can get shared with someone special. Screening: 3:30 p.m. June 20, the Roxie.

“If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart Into Your Mouth and Smile”: The mouthful of a title will make sense after watching Marie Luise Lehner’s debut feature — winner of the prestigious juried Teddy Award at the 2025 Berlinale. The empathetically observed drama explores the frustrations and the love between 12-year-old Anna (Siena Popović) and her deaf mother (Mariya Menner). They live in Vienna but struggle to make ends meet and that economic barrier makes Anna often feel like an outsider, having to lie about things like not being able to afford to go on a school ski trip. Anna, played with insight by Popović, acts and reacts like a 12-year-old while trying to figure out desires and friendships. The scenes between daughter and mother are outstanding. Screening: 3:30 p.m. June 27, Roxie; available to stream starting June 23.

Contact Randy Myers at [email protected].

FRAMELINE49

Through: June 18-28 (select titles available to stream June 23-30)

Where: Various Bay Area theaters

Tickets, full lineup: www.frameline.org

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Frameline: What to watch at world’s longest-running LGBTQ film fest )

Also on site :

• A look at six bills in Albany awaiting Gov. Hochul’s signature
• This 'Iconic' Cereal is Finally Making a Comeback and Fans Going Wild: 'Holy Smokes'
• Canadian mining giant loses operational control in African state