Gay cinema is beginning to enter the mainstream culture one sure-step at a time. You see gay characters in popular movies or TV shows. This can only mean one thing: humanity is evolving. It’s no longer a taboo to see same sex love stories or transgender people in movies. Gay marriages are being legalized in a lot of civilized countries and although there are still many who encourage homophobia and bigotry, things are obviously moving in the right natural direction. We would like to share with you a list of great LGBTQ movies you should see. Some are famous while others are indie or underground films which need to be discovered by a wider audience. Enjoy:
10. Dream Boy
Adapted from Jim Grimsley’s eponymous novel, Dream Boy tells the story of 2 gay teenagers in rural America in the 70’s. The movie is a poetic approach on first love and its obstacles. It’s a tragic love story that is full of meaning. A great movie for all indie cinema fans.
9. Eyes Wide Open
This somehow controversial Israeli movie is about the collision of religion and homosexuality in the strict Orthodox Jewish world. The main character is a Jewish married man who falls in love with his apprentice causing suspicion and disapproval from his family and community he’s a part of.
8. Les amours Imaginaires
From Canadian “enfant terrible” young director Xavier Dolan comes his second full feature film about a strange love triangle. This stylish movie has gained cult following among cinema lovers, especially gay movie lovers. It has great dialogues and an amazing soundtrack.
7. Boys Don’t Cry
Starring the Oscar awarded Hilary Swank and inspired by true events, the movie tells the story of Teena Brandon who tries to find love living as a boy. It’s a tragic example of the damages of homophobia in small town America. It’s a powerful story that proves love goes beyond gender and stereotypes.
6. Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon
Inspired by the biography of the British painter Francis Bacon, the movie portrays the story between the painter and his lover, a younger Daniel Craig. It’s an artistic, disturbing movie that shows the darker side of romantic relationships.
5. Bent
Adapted from Martin Sherman’s play and starring Clive Owen, Lothaire Bluteau and Mick Jagger, the movie is a sad and disturbing love story set in the concentration camps during the Nazi regime. It depicts the horrible mistreatment of gay people and the power of love that manages to transcend human suffering.
4. Come Undone (Presque Rien)
French movie directed by Sebastien Lifshitz tells the story of 18 year old Mathieu who falls in love with Cedric while staying at his mother’s summer house. What follows next is a tumultuous love story that moves back and forth in the past and the present of the main character.
3. Great LGBTQ Movies – Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Gay cult movie that tells the story of a transexual punk-rocker who moves from East Berlin to America to become a famous musician. It’s a witty musical movie with great performances and a killer soundtrack. It received numerous awards at films festivals when it was released in 2001.
2. Angels in America
Adapted from Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer winning play and made into a TV mini-series, the movie is about 6 different but connected stories in Reagan era and deals with AIDS, sexual confusion and political corruption. It won many Golden Globes awards and it was listed by Seattle Times as the best AIDS portrayal in a movie.
1. Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain stands on its own in any lists of great LGBTQ movies and it’s a personal favorite. Often mislabeled as the “gay cowboy movie” by people who haven’t seen it, Brokeback Mountain tells the story of 2 gay cowboys in the 60’s that fall in love with each other while working for a summer herding sheep. It’s a devastating love story that won 3 Oscars and stars the late Heath Ledger.
Other great LGBTQ movies worth mentioning are:
The Mudge Boy, Happy Together, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, La Mala Education, Velvet Goldmine, The Hours, Transamerica, Strapped, Wild Side, Monster, Butterfly Kiss.
This was our list of great LGBTQ movies. Do you have any personal favorites? Share them in the comment section.
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