Four queer films are mutually pining for each other
We had a week of unrequited love shorts back in November; in this week’s films, the love is two-way, but that doesn’t necessarily make the yearning less potent! Some of our protagonists don’t know the object of their affections is also interested, while others may be treading carefully because of the need for discretion around queer relationships where they live, or to avoid risking a friendship.
All of this week’s films end, in my mind, hopefully if not outright happily, providing some balance to the heaviness of some of last week’s recommendations. Enjoy!
“Look at yourself. I’m sure if Raven knew you were hurting like this, it would break her heart.”
Homies, written and directed by Ina Espiritu, introduces us to Maine (Cristina M. Ibarra) and Raven (Taylor Robinson), best friends who have known each other for years and also hook up regularly. Despite their closeness, Maine is unable to confess her love to Raven for fear of ruining their friendship. Maine and Raven’s affection and attraction is clear in the ways they look at each other and support each other, and their yearning is expressed just as subtly, if silently.
I unfortunately have not been able to find out much about creator Espiritu except this bio from when Homies aired at OutFest in 2019: “Ina Espiritu is a writer-director from the Philippines who has resided in the Washington, DC area since her high school years. Homies is her first major project since her senior thesis, A Very Clean Cubicle, which won Best Comedy and the Audience Award at George Mason University’s FAVS Senior Showcase 2015. She also won DC APA Film Festival’s first Script2Screen contest with the short screenplay Rock Bottom the next year and has had her other scripts included in a few festivals since then. Currently, she works in the TV broadcasting field in New York City.”
Homies
“Will you teach me as well?”
उ उष्णता | U for Usha, written and directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, follows Usha (Kiran Khoje), a single mother with two kids living in a small village in Maharashtra. Usha provides for her family through a combination of farm labour and occasional sex work. When she meets the village’s new schoolteacher Manisha (Arpita Ghogardare), who has moved from a big city, both women are immediately drawn to each other. Their connection deepens as Manisha begins to tutor Usha’s son in evenings, and Usha asks Manisha to teach her to read and write as well.
Creator Kanawade, who had no official training in filmmaking prior to his debut short, made multiple queer films ahead of this production. “When I decided that I will make one more LGBTQ film, I was clear that it will be with women,” said Kanawade in an interview with The Hindu. It was important to him that Usha’s character push against the idea that rural residents are automatically more conservation: “She is comfortable with her sexuality and also at ease in expressing it.” Usha and Manisha’s story plays out slowly and naturally for both of them as they get to know each other and figure out what their connection looks like in the village where they live.
उ उष्णता | U for Usha
“Say, where is Lindiwe? She is the only decent one in this village.”
In Inkanyezi Yobusuku | Night Star, directed by Kekeletso Khena, we meet protagonist Lindiwe (Indra Ncube) during her Ukuya Enyangeni (literally “going to the moon”). By Zulu tradition, this time is meant for women to rest and reflect during menstruation, which includes being isolated in a hut in the vilage. Nkanyezi (Somikazi Tyaliti) is Lindiwe’s amaqhikiza, the chief maiden who is intended to counsel and guide her, including looking after her during her isolation. Nkanyezi’s adoration of Lindiwe is clear immediately in the way she looks and speaks fondly to Lindiwe and tries to ease her discomfort. One night, that affection turns to passion.
Inkanyezi Yobusuku | Night Star was produced as part of a filmmaker workshop called “Happy Snaps” at the 2007 Out In Africa Film Festival held in South Africa. The film festival was launched in 1994 and appears to have held its last event in 2012.
Inkanyezi Yobusuku | Night Star
“I feel like I finally understand what it’s like to go after something I’m passionate about.”
In the beginning & the middle, written and directed by Alexis G. Zall, lifelong friends Grace (Genneya Walton) and Olive (Lukita Maxwell) meet at a house party. They haven’t seen each other for several months, not since Grace left for college and Olive began working as a photographer. The time apart has given them new perspective on their history together, and allows them to be frank about how they feel about each other and whether a romantic relationship is worth risking their deep friendship.
“the beginning & the middle is my first short film. It’s an ode to loving recklessly,” said creator Zall in a tweet. “Love can be painful. But I learn every time I survive a feeling that feels unsurvivable that there’s no pain I cannot handle. Choosing love in the face of uncertainty and fear has always been worth it. It’s with this sentiment top of mind that I am doing the thing that scares me most and sharing this film with all of you.”
the beginning & the middle
