In a shocking turn of events, both of us are reccing the same number of titles this year! And there was only one movie among Charlotte’s choices, that we actually both wanted to include. I hope we’re all proud of Charlotte for watching so much gay shit!
If you want to see what we loved in 2020, here’s that post. Otherwise, enjoy!
ANNA
Silent Night (2021) dir. Camille Griffin
Rep: lesbian character, Black lesbian character
TW: blood, death, murder, mention of past paedophilia, classism
Dark humour at its absolutely finest. This is, technically, a movie about a group of friends spending Christmas together, ugly secrets coming out, people going beyond their breaking point. And also the world ending.
Breaking Fast (2019) dir. Mike Mosallam
Rep: Muslim gay mc, gay li, Muslim gay characters
One of my favourite gay romcoms, actually. It’s just delightful! And talks very openly, and at length, about religion & the way it can shape our lives.
The Celluloid Closet (1995) dir. Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
A documentary based on the The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies by Vito Russo. Frankly I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say this should be required viewing for LGBT people.
Shiva Baby (2020) dir. Emma Seligman
Rep: bi Jewish mc, Jewish sapphic character
TW: disordered eating, fatshaming, panic attacks, anxiety, biphobia
So! Stressful! It’s about a young Jewish bi girl who just graduated college. She goes to a shiva with her parents, where she runs into her sugar daddy & his wife and kid, and also the girl she used to date in high school. Can you imagine?
Season of Love (2019) dir. Christin Baker
Rep: deaf lesbian mc, poc sapphic mc, Chinese American lesbian mc, bi mc, Latina sapphic mc, sapphic mc, gay deaf side character
Listen, it’s just that sometimes a movie can be your favourite simply because it features three sapphic couples, each dealing with completely different problems, and all of them feeling very real.
Kontrola (S2) cr. Natasza Parzymies
Rep: lesbian mc, sapphic mc, trans character, gay character, lesbian character
As probably every gay Polish person, I’m obsessed with this show. This season is about the messiness of relationships and about the missed chances, but also second chances.
Feel Good (S2) cr. Mae Martin & Joe Hampson
Rep: lesbian nonbinary mc with drug addiction, sapphic li, brown side lesbian character
TW: drugs, blood, vomitting, homophobia, internalised homophobia
Oooh, boy, talk about messy! Most of what happens here wouldn’t be considered healthy, but you know what? People just… fuck up, all the time. It happens. So sometimes it’s nice to see that on the screen as well.
Special (S2) cr. Ryan O’Connell
Rep: gay mc with mild cerebral palsy, gay li, gay characters, sapphic character
Continuing the theme of messiness. I don’t know what to tell you, my guys, but stories like that just hit some spots this past year. I also really loved where the plot took Karen and Kim this season.
Trigonometry (S1) cr. Duncan Macmillan & Effie Woods
Rep: Black Brazilian-British bi mc, French-British bi mc, polyam m/f/f relationship
Anyone asked for polyamorous rep? Because this show is probably as good as it gets. It explores all the ups and downs, doesn’t spare any of the gritty details (like the society’s reactions) but also any of the overwhelming love.
It’s a Sin (S1) cr. Russell T. Davies
Rep: gay mcs, Indian gay mc, Nigerian gay mc, gay characters
TW: homophobia, death, epilepsy
It’s been a year, and I’m actually still devastated over this show, just saying. I mean, it’s about the AIDS crisis in the UK, so you can expect it to be, well… sad is an understatement. But it’s also clearly made for us, and to heal our wounds.
CHARLOTTE
Pixie (2020) dir. Barnaby Thompson
Rep: bi mc, Black bi mc
TW: violence, blood, guns
This is, objectively, not a good film. However, it’s a fucking great one. It’s an hour and a half of pure chaos, so entirely ridiculous that your only option is to sit back and enjoy the ride. And, boy, is it a ride.
Hiacynt (2021) dir. Piotr Domalewski
Rep: gay mc, gay li, gay side characters
TW: police brutality, homophobia, slurs, autopsy, implied suicide (body on screen), gun violence, shooting, homophobic violence, drowning, violence
Gorgeously shot and entirely intimate, this is a film not to be missed. Even if historical thrillers aren’t really your thing, this is a film you must watch. It is, at times, a brutal film, but it treats its characters with gentleness and kindness throughout.
Câteva conversații despre o fată foarte înaltă (2018) dir. Bogdan Theodor Olteanu
Rep: lesbian mcs & side characters
TW: homophobia, internalised homophobia
Another quietly intimate film, this takes place in a single location (almost) and between two characters only. It’s delicate and soft and will leave you aching just so slightly.
The Valhalla Murders (2019) cr. Thordur Palsson
Rep: gay mc
TW: death, gore, vomiting, eye gore, police brutality, past child sexual abuse, past self harm, institutional abuse, implied rape, gang rape, child death, suicide (aftermath on screen)
The Valhalla Murders is an entirely compelling crime drama, one that has you hooked from the very first episode. This is not a drama to be savoured across multiple sittings: you’ll start it, and four hours later find yourself halfway through with no intention of stopping until the end.
Rojst ’97 (S2) cr. Jan Holoubek
Rep: butch lesbian mc, lesbian li
TW: child death, drowning, g-slur, lesbophobic slurs, labour camps, casual antisemitism, vomiting, homophobia, attempted suicide, implied rape, implied dismemberment
Rojst ’97 is a slowburning mystery. It took a little while to get going, if I’m honest, but the fact that it still ended up on my faves of the year list is testament to how good it was overall. It’s one to stick with, because the payoff is so very worth it.
Spring (2021) dir. Alexandra Swarens
Rep: lesbian mcs, sapphic & achillean side characters
Spring is a sweet coming of age film, where much of the story is played out in actions, not words. There is, really, very little in the script, but the acting of the two mains compels you to keep watching, to see this love story unfold.
The Baby-Sitter’s Club (S1-2) cr. Rachel Shukert
Rep: Latina sapphic (bi/pan?) mc, Japanese American sapphic character, Black sapphic character, trans side character, gay side characters
This is a show that will make you cry at least once per episode. Personally, I got into it because there were sapphics in the second series, but the next thing I knew, I was sobbing wildly about a bunch of kids forming their own baby-sitter’s club (and consequent found family). Also Kristy Thomas is a lesbian and you cannot convince me otherwise.
The Long Call (S1) cr. Kelly Jones
Rep: gay mcs
TW: domestic abuse, sexual assault, past alcohol abuse, mentions of deaths in car accidents
The Long Call is a show I was highly anticipating since reading the book it’s based on and hearing about it. And, frankly, it didn’t disappoint. It was an absorbing show, at once mystery and character-driven drama. I really, really hope that they decide to adapt the sequel too.
Anne+ (S1) cr. Maud Wiemeijer, Valerie Bisscheroux & Hanna van Vliet
Rep: lesbian mc, bi, gay, lesbian & nonbinary side characters, Black lesbian side character
This is a show about lesbians and, consequently, it is a perfect show. Joking aside though, it’s a show that displays so well the precariousness of being in your mid-20s. Also I just really want Anne’s apartment.
Uncle Frank (2020) dir. Alan Bell
Rep: gay mc, Saudi Muslim gay li
TW: vomiting, drug use, alcohol use, homophobia, homophobic slurs, suicide by drowning, outing, casual homophobia & racism
Watch Uncle Frank if you want a good cry, that’s most of what I have to say about this film. It’s sad, but it’s also threaded through with hope: despite everything, Frank finds his way out of his father’s oppression, he loves and is loved. And really, that’s the beauty of this one.
Are any of these on your top of the year? What others made your list?
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