Happy Pride, film freaks!
Amid a resurgence of homophobia and open hostility towards the transgender community, Pride month feels a bit different this year. I sincerely hope that this message finds you well and that you are free to be your truest self. Whatever the case may be, as things become increasingly hostile, rest assured that under no circumstances will the LGBTQ+ community be forced back into the closet.
This June, Acquired Tastes is devoted to celebrating queer cinema via a handful of “Pride Picks.”
#1 Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
I am proud to announce that Acquired Tastes’ first ‘Pride Pick’ is Celine Sciamma’s breathtaking period drama, Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
This is not the first time I’ve recommended this film, but I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight the film again.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a foreign film, so you either have to speak French or else be able to read subtitles. The good news is, if you’re reading this sentence, you’re literate! If you’re averse to subtitles, that’s something worth addressing.
“Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”
-Bong Joon Ho, director of Parasite (2019)
It’s rare to find a film about the lesbian experience that doesn’t exploit sapphic intimacy to titillate male viewers. Instead, Sciamma creates a slow-burning portrait of desire. It should come as no surprise that a queer love story set in the 1700s is tinged with tragedy, but the film offers more than sorrow. Every frame is a painting and every word is spoken with purpose. As I try to capture the wonderous essence of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, I find words failing me as a potent mix of emotions overwhelms my system. It’s a movie that must be seen and demands to be felt.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is currently streaming on Hulu and Kanopy.
Programming Notes
As Acquired Tastes enters its fifth month, I’ve been thinking about how to continue expanding and optimizing the work that I do here. Writing weekly newsletters has been an enjoyable and rewarding exercise. I will continue to provide a newsletter every Sunday.
I also have several projects simmering on the back burner, and I’m keen to publish those works once I’ve completed my (admittedly protracted) research and drafting process. In an attempt to give myself slightly more latitude to work on these projects, I’m planning to try implementing a few changes.
In honor of Pride Month, I have planned a series of articles surrounding queer cinema. I also want to tell you which films I am planning to work with upfront, in case you’re keen to watch and analyze alongside me.
So, the remaining ‘Pride Picks’ for this year include:
The Boogeyman (2023) - currently in theaters.
The Babadook (2014) - streaming on Kanopy, AMC+, Shudder, & Tubi (w/ ads)
Paris is Burning (1990) - streaming on (HBO) Max and The Criterion Channel
Legendary (2020-2022) - streaming on Max.
Bros (2022) - streaming on Prime Video.
Fire Island (2022) - streaming on Hulu.
BE GAY!
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Stay gay, my fellow film freaks.