FilmOut: What to See at San Diego's 22nd LGBTQ+ Film Fest

FilmOut San Diego's 22nd Annual LGBTQ+ film festival runs from September 8-11, 2022. A slew of films will be screened during the four-day Fest at The San Diego Natural History Museum (THE NAT) and The Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA), both located in San Diego's historic Balboa Park.

The Opening Night film is Matt Carter's "In from the Side." The Fest closes with "All Man: The International Male Story," directed by Bryan Darling and Jesse Finlay Reed. The Festival Spotlight is Travis Fine's "Two Eyes," and the International Spotlight will be François Ozon's "Peter von Kant."

EDGE has sampled most of the films, and here are the ones we highly recommend.

"Where Butterflies Don't Fly"

I've made it no secret that Czech Republic writer-director Roman Němec's superlative feature debut "Where Butterflies Don't Fly" is one of my favorite queer films currently on the festival circuit. This visually arresting work is loaded with homoerotic tension, and keenly deceives the viewer by lulling them into a familiar narrative before shifting dramatic gears and becoming a survivalist story where Daniel (Daniel Krejcík), an 18-year-old bullied misfit, is trapped in an underground cave with his gay teacher, Adam (yummy Jiří Vojta). What unfolds is a riveting, nail-biting, yet sensual film that boasts two terrific lead performances. In Czech with English subtitles.

"Peter von Kant"

French auteur François Ozon has created an homage to iconic German filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder with "Peter von Kant," a startling and bold reimagining of the Fassbinder's riveting 1972 all-female film, "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant." Ozon, despite a gender reversal, remains faithful to the original script, which allows for an examination of the late, great director's own tumultuous life and career. Peter (embodied, warts and all, by Denis Ménochet) falls for hot young Amir (impressive newbie Khalil Ben Gharbia), and attempts to possess him. The notable supporting cast boasts Isabelle Adjani, Hanna Schygulla (the original object of Petra's desire), and Stéfan Crépon, who is the film's conscience. In French, with English subtitles.

"Two Eyes"

Travis Fine's meditative and evocative triptych exploring gender, sexuality, love, and hate captivates as he weaves together three seemingly-unrelated narratives from different time periods into one deeply moving cinematic mosaic. The stories vary from a suicidal trans teen (Ryan Cassata) seeking therapy in modern day Wyoming to a sexually confused California youth (Uly Schlesinger) crushing on a visiting Brit (Jessica Allain) in Suburban California in 1979 to the most poignant, an artist (Benjamin Rigby) discovering his muse (Kiowa Gordon) in Montana in the late 1800s. Rigby and Gordon are especially affecting, as is Kate Bornstein as a therapist with a past that is key to how these sagas connect.

"Lonesome"

A festival favorite, Craig Boreham's "Lonesome" centers on cowboy Casey (a remarkable Josh Lavery, in his feature debut) who has fled his small farm community for the big bad city of Sydney (Australia), where he hooks up with uber-sexually active Tib (Daniel Gabriel). Their stormy relationship is quite sexually charged, but it's the quiet moments that mark this stunning film, which delves into the damage that hatred and intolerance do to a person. Lavery is quite the find, delivering an intense and truly relatable performance.

"In from the Side"

Alexander Lincoln and Alexander King play gay rugby players who embark on a sizzling secret affair even though both are partnered, in Matt Carter's ambitious and emotional feature "In from the Side." The film enthralls for the first three quarters of its 2-hour 14-minute running time, delving into the politics of sports as well as etching nicely-drawn character studies. It's only in the final quarter that Carter (who also co-wrote, co-produced, edited, shot, and scored the film) turns to melodrama and allows moral judgement to overtake the narrative. Still, the uber-handsome Lincoln, onscreen for most of the running time, makes the journey more than worthwhile with his passionate performance.

"Pat Rocco Dared"

Directors Morris Chapdelaine & Bob Christie have delivered a gift to the queer community by exploring the life and films of Pat Rocco, whose work as an activist, artist, moviemaker, and all-around entertainer broke gay ground in the late '60s and early '70s. His erotic movies featured nude males lovingly frolicking, kissing (a rarity to see onscreen), and genuinely enjoying themselves, a definite precursor to the hardcore gay films that would soon take screens over. In addition, Rocco managed to capture important moments in queer history. The filmmakers, along with Charlie David, who chatted with Rocco prior to his death, have reintroduced a pioneering LGBTQ+ artist to a new generation with this portrait.

"Girl Picture"

Finnish director Alli Haapasalo's stunning "Girl Picture" tells the story of young BFFs Mimmi (Aamu Milonoff) and Rönkkö (Eleonoora Kauhanen) and their journeys toward romantic and sexual fulfillment. Tempestuous Mimmi begins dating idiosyncratic Emma (Linnea Leino), a champion figure skater. Alas, Mimmi tends to sabotage her relationships, and she drives Emma a bit crazy. Meanwhile, Rönkkö is convinced she will never have a fulfilling sexual experience, no matter how often she tries. This riveting film is about friendship, love, and desire.

"All Man: The International Male Story"

If you were a gay or bi male and you grew up in the '80s or '90s, you probably recall the International Male catalogue with some kind of nostalgia. I remember it arriving at my home when I was a teen, and my instantly bringing it into my room to flip through the pages. My curiosity and obsession with those photos told me something about myself before I even knew. Filmmakers Bryan Darling and Jesse Finlay Reed examine what the magazine meant to so many young queers as they chart the rise and fall of the company in "All Man: The International Male Story." Narrated by Matt Bomer, the most poignant segment of the doc is a tribute to those involved in the company who were lost to AIDS.

"The Swimmer"

Homophobia and forced repression in competitive swimming is examined in Adam Kalderon's fascinating, frustrating film "The Swimmer," which delivers on eye-candy and "Survivor"-like intensity, but robs audiences of a payoff. Erez (Omer Perelman Striks), is a closeted newcomer to a team of Olympic hopefuls that includes the favorite, Nevo (Asaf Jonas), whom he instantly befriends. The attraction is palpable, but his horribly homophobic Russian coach wants to sabotage the bond (could he be a latent gay himself?). The film explores the toxicity of the heteronormative world as it relates to sports. I just wish Kalderon had gone that extra step in the direction of what the narrative was building towards. In Hebrew with English subtitles.

"The Way Out"

Writer-director Barry Jay has fashioned a fascinating character study with "The Way Out" – until, that is, the film takes a sharp (and predictable) thriller turn, losing a little steam but asking pertinent questions about abuse and revenge. Jonny Beauchamp ("Stonewall," Showtime's "Penny Dreadful") delivers a terrific turn as Alex, a singer/composer and recovering addict trying his best to remain sober. When Shane (a deliciously wicked Mike Manning) enters his life, everything changes. The sharp and violent road the film veers onto wasn't necessary, but the two lead actors make the journey worth taking.