Inside Out 2011

Toronto’s Inside Out returns from May 19-29th, celebrating LGBT cinema in all its forms. This 21st edition of the festival is bigger and broader in focus than ever before. Some of the featured sections this year include:

  • International Focus on the UK – 9 features and shorts from the United Kingdom, including Andrew Haigh’s Sundance breakout Weekend
  • 24 Hours in the Middle East – 3 features, a shorts program, and a master class with author and academic Samar Habib
  • The Outsiders – Inside Out’s home for experimental film, including animation and short films
  • Icon Documentary Series – a particularly strong selection of docs this year, with 7 features including portraits of figures as disparate as Yves Saint Laurent, Bruce LaBruce and pioneering transsexual athlete Renée Richards

A large number of films in the program look interesting, and I’m happy to report that Robert Bell will be returning to write reviews from the festival. Here are some of his recommendations.

80 Days

80 Days

Two middle-aged women meet while visiting comatose relatives in the hospital and discover they were childhood friends. Not only that, but they once shared a furtive kiss. A second chance at first love?

Black Field

Black Field

In 17th century Greece, an injured soldier is nursed back to health by two nuns. The younger one falls in love with him and they escape the cloister. Only then do we discover that young Anthi is not what she seems.

Four More Years

Four More Years

A political comedy from Sweden. Married David is the leader of a political party that has just been thrashed at the polls. Depressed and vulnerable, he falls head over heels for the suave Martin, who just happens to be the party secretary of the new ruling government. What’s the bigger shock, his feelings for another man or for someone whose politics he detests?

Loose Cannons

Loose Cannons

Tommaso is about to reveal his homosexuality to his family when his brother Antonio upstages him by revealing his own secret. His father collapses, Antonio is disowned, and it falls to Tommaso now to run his father’s factory in the countryside. Directed with a comedic touch by Ferzan Ozpetek, this Italian film will charm you as it uncovers family secrets that even Tommaso can’t guess at.

Visit the Inside Out site for details about the entire program, as well as schedules and ticket information.

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