festivals | The essentials of the 35th edition of Image+Nation

The oldest LGBTQ+ film festival in Canada, Image+Nation will make history from November 17 to 27 by presenting its 35^e editing. The event, which offers a series of indoor and virtual screenings, stays connected to the news by offering the first retrospective on Ukrainian queer cinema and a selection of Iranian short films. Here is an overview of the works not to be missed.

Samuel Larochelle
special collaboration

Rose

The “chosen family”, a well-known concept of queer people who build a loving clan after being rejected by their blood family or simply to feel good among their own, is at the heart of the festival’s opening film. In this first feature film by Métis director, screenwriter and actress Gail Maurice, we follow an Aboriginal girl who finds herself an orphan and who is catapulted into the Montreal of the 1980s, with her aunt Fred and her friends Flo and Mo, two extravagant trans street workers.

At the Imperial Cinema, November 18 at 7 p.m.
Online from November 19 to 23

Iranian short films

Iran has been on everyone’s lips since the beginning of the “Woman Life Freedom” movement. As support, the festival presents short films on autonomy and freedom. On the program, many varied stories: a teacher in a traditional village becomes a surrogate mother to finance her gender transition (lost swan); the daily life of a gay couple troubled by the ghost of the ex-lover of one of the lovers (Enjoyment); a young woman, rejected by her family for reasons related to her sexuality, finds a new reason for being (Malignant); a story that begins with a scandal about a hijab in a straight couple (One, Half), etc.

Queer Ukraine

Few queer productions from Ukraine cross borders. In order to support the Ukrainian people in this period of war, Image+Nation offers film lovers a retrospective organized by Bodan Zhuk of the Molodist, the Kyiv International Film Festival. Among other things, we can see a classic from 1964, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestorsthe film My Father is my Mother’s Brother and short films grouped in the Queers Warriors selection.

In From the Sides

What would Image+Nation be without a drama set in the universe of a highly virile sport with a secret romance? This year, the camera of director, editor and screenwriter Matt Carter turns to muddy rugby and the bearded giants of the United Kingdom. The creator recounts here the attraction between a star player and a player from a second-rate team, both already in a relationship, who have a hard time remaining indifferent to each other.

Imperial Cinema, November 20 at 7 p.m.

Erin’s Guide to Kissing Girls

A teenage romantic comedy set in the streets of Toronto, the film directed by Julianna Notten immerses us in the mind of Erin, a young nerd who devotes most of her time to creating fanfiction around her favorite comic book characters and imagine how to seduce Sydni, an ex-youtuber known for her ease with… fluidity. Her objective: to convince the young person who makes her fall in love with him to accompany her to the fall ball. A quest that will be undermined by her best friend and flirting sidekick, Liz, with whom confusion and jealousy reign.

Cinéma Moderne, November 20 at 6 p.m.
Online from November 21 to 25