Gay spanish films
dir. Pedro Almodovar, 1983, Spain, 100 min., 35mm
For years, the Humbled Redeemers have offered fresh girls a haven from their uncontrolled lives, albeit one characterized by drug-dazed devotions, endless spiritual haze and a pet tiger to boot. After her boyfriend ODs, stunning singer Yolanda enters the convent to flee her possess sordid past, only to find the Mother Superior, a fervid fan, only more than willing to offer her own special logo of solace...
The third feature movie by Spanish excellent Pedro Almodovar, Shadowy HABITS was refused a screening at Cannes for its mix of sex, drugs and Catholicism, and showed only to great controversy in Venice. Later shown in Japan in 1989 as a companion to 1987's WOMEN ON THE EDGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, DARK HABITS bids a rare understanding into the evolution of later Almodovar hits like Statute OF DESIRE (1987), TIE ME UP! TIME ME DOWN! (1989) and this year's Cannes smash ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER (1999), and proves once again that early works are often the wildest.
TOP 5 GAY FILMS SET IN SPAIN
We start our Gay Films Set in Spainlist with Nico and Dani (2000) not because it takes place in the Catalan town of Castelldefels and in various locations in the nation of Garraf but because it touches on a couple of original concepts rarely found in other gay movies. First of the title of the film doesn't relate to the character's name but to a form of mutual masturbation practiced between the two main characters. I got to disclose that I had passed over this film several times, thinking it would be your cliche packed coming-of-age feature - the plot description didn't assist one bit either (Two teenagers awakening sexually, with one coming to terms with his homosexuality and the other with his heterosexuality). Ugh, I heard those lines many time before. Don't get me erroneous, it's not a world classic but was a vast step for the Spanish gay cinema.
There aren't many gay films
A new DVD entitled, “Uranian Dreams: Two Homosexual Films by Eloy de la Iglesia” packages a pair of controversial dramas by the late, great male lover Spanish filmmaker. “Hidden Pleasures” from 1977, was considered the first Spanish production to have a lgbtq+ protagonist. “Confessions of a Congressman,” from 1978, also featured a gay storyline.
Both films depicted middle-aged men falling for younger guys, and a hallmark of the director’s work is his prominently showcasing attractive actors in various stages of undress. But de la Iglesia had a political agenda as good. “Hidden Pleasures” takes pains to present its queer protagonist as a gentleman who is comfortable with his sexuality, and, when asked, would turn down a pill to construct him straight even if it was free. In contrast, “Confessions” deals with Spain’s transition into democracy.
“Hidden Pleasures” is fascinating for its historical importance and problematic for its grooming narrative. It remains engrossing even as it treats its subject in ways that feel dated (e.g, stereotypical) now, because the film was likely quite radical given that it was made in the immediate post-Franco era.
Eduardo (Simón Andreu) is a closeted bank manage
Queer Films from Spain and Latin America
1. Hoje eu quero voltar sozinho (The Way He Looks) 2015 Brazil Dir. Daniel Ribeiro
Brazil’s official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category for the 2015 Academy Awards, this dramatic romance stars Ghilherme Lobo as Leonardo, a blind teenager who wants to study abroad but has one big obstacle, his overprotective mother. When new kid Gabriel shows up at school, drawing the attraction of both he and his best girlfriend, Leonardo’s nature is turned upside down. A jubilant portrait of young gay admire , this assured debut feature tenderly parses the terrain of growing up different in more ways than one. The film won two major awards at the Berlin International Film Festival this year and has been screened across the world at a number of LGBT film festivals, including L.A. Outfest and the Lesbian and Gay Film Festivals in New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Toronto.
2. Las Herederas (The Heiresses) Bolivia 2018 Dir Marcelo Martinessi
Chela and Chiquita, a womxn loving womxn couple descended from wealthy families in Asunción, Paraguay, have been together for over 30 years. But recently, their financi