Forget cookie-cutter romances! This year, queer stories exploded on screen, shattering stereotypes and demanding to be seen. From heartwarming coming-of-age tales that made us swoon to gritty dramas that punched us in the gut, 2024 was a year of unconventional LGBTQIA+ representation. We saw characters who were complex, messy and unapologetically themselves reminding the world that queer stories aren’t just a niche market, they’re a reflection of the vibrant tapestry of human experience. t2 spotlights some films and shows that weren’t just for queer audiences; they were for everyone, a reminder that love is love and that stories that truly resonate transcend labels.
The Shameless
Calcutta girl Anasuya Sengupta created history winning the Best Actress award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival for her role in The Shameless. The Konstantin Bojanov directorial is a provocative queer drama that grapples with themes of sexual exploitation, religious oppression and societal injustice. The film follows two women on divergent paths — Renuka, a fugitive accused of killing a policeman and Devika, a young woman destined for a life of forced prostitution as a devadasi. Their lives intersect in a small-town brothel where Renuka seeks refuge while Devika grapples with her impending fate.
Sengupta delivers a powerful performance as Renuka, a complex character who adopts the identity of a Hindu goddess while on the run. As these two women, bound by circumstances and a shared sense of defiance, navigate the murky waters of desire, danger and the suffocating grip of societal norms, their lives become inextricably intertwined, leading them down a path of both liberation and peril.
Mismatched S3
The new season of the Netflix coming-of-age series introduces Rith, a compelling queer character portrayed by Lauren Robinson. Rith, a skilled hacker, seeks access to the Betterverse, a cutting-edge virtual reality platform, with a deeply personal motive — to explore their gender identity in a safe, judgment-free space. Rith desires to experience life as a man within the virtual world, a poignant reflection of the internal struggles faced by many transgender individuals. The storyline, penned by trans writer Gazal Dhaliwal, resonates with authenticity and avoids stereotypical or sensationalised portrayals of queer experiences. Dhaliwal’s previous work, including films like Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and A Monsoon Date, demonstrates their commitment to nuanced and sensitive depictions of queer identities. Rith’s inclusion in Mismatched Season 3 represents a significant step towards more inclusive and authentic queer representation in mainstream Indian entertainment.
Love Lies Bleeding
The air in the gym throbbed with the scent of sweat and ambition. Muscles flexed, mirrors glinted and the mantra ‘No pain, no gain’ echoed through the space. But Lou, the gym manager, was more interested in the grime than the glory. Love Lies Bleeding is neo-noir and a love story with queer characters. It isn’t your typical rom-com minus some cliches of the typical romanticisation of a butch woman. It’s a wild ride with Kristen Stewart as Lou, a badass gym manager who is more than meets the eye. This isn’t your typical “strong female lead” story. Lou and Jackie were messy, they were dangerous, and they were gloriously, unapologetically queer. Love Lies Bleeding wasn’t about saving the world; it was about surviving it, together, on their own terms. And in the end, amidst the chaos and the carnage, they found a kind of twisted, beautiful freedom, a love story as wild and unpredictable as the women themselves.
Queer
Luca Guadagnino, the master of sensual cinema, ventures into the gritty underworld of William Burroughs’s novella Queer, with a film that is as visually arresting as it is unsettling. Daniel Craig, shedding the suave veneer of 007, inhabits the role of William Lee, a self-destructive American expat adrift in the seedy underbelly of 1950s Mexico City. Lee, a creature of the night, spends his days nursing hangovers and his nights chasing oblivion in a haze of tequila and cheap thrills. His life takes a dangerous turn when he becomes obsessed with Eugene (Drew Starkey), a young, clean-cut American soldier, igniting a destructive spiral of lust, obsession, and self-destruction.
The Call Me By Your Name director, known for his lush visuals, immerses us in a world of smoky bars, rain-slicked streets and opulent decay. Queer is a captivating and unsettling journey into the dark heart of human desire. In the end, Lee descends into a hallucinatory spiral, revisiting past encounters and confronting his own self-destructive patterns. He imagines himself with Eugene, but the fantasy ends tragically, mirroring Burrough’s own real-life tragedy. The film explores the themes of queer longing, societal repression and the cyclical nature of self-destruction, leaving a haunting impression of a life consumed by loneliness and despair.
Drive-Away Dolls
A chaotic and hilarious road trip comedy that follows Jamie, a free-spirited woman recovering from a breakup, and Marian, her reserved best friend, as they embark on an unplanned journey to Tallahassee. Their trip quickly veers off course when they unwittingly become entangled with a group of inept criminals.
Drive-Away Dolls focuses on the two aforementioned lesbian women who are flawed and complex individuals. The film avoids the harmful “bury your gays” trope, allowing both protagonists to survive and thrive. Jamie and Marian’s relationship, while not without its challenges, is portrayed with honesty and humour, reflecting the complexities of real-life queer relationships. Beyond its positive queer representation, Drive-Away Dolls also offers a refreshing and humorous critique of societal norms. The film satirises political corruption and challenges traditional gender roles. Jamie and Marian, in their own unconventional ways, defy expectations and embrace their individuality. It’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, allowing viewers to simply relax and enjoy the ride.
High Tide
The emotional undercurrents of this poignant drama navigates the precarious waters of love, loss and the ever-present threat of impermanence. The film is built around Lourenco (Marco Pigossi), a Brazilian immigrant yearning for a secure future in Provincetown, the LGBTQIA+ haven of Massachusetts. With his tourist visa ticking down, Lourenco finds himself caught in a riptide of anxieties... the longing for his American lover who’s yet to return, and the electrifying, yet fleeting connection he develops with a captivating doctor named Maurice (James Bland). Their dynamic, though tender, pulsates with a hint of self-awareness, a bittersweet acknowledgment of the impermanence that hangs heavy in the air.
High Tide transcends a conventional love story. It delves into the complexities of queer desire in a world where belonging is a constant struggle. The film’s intimacy is further amplified by the captivating cinematography.
While the film tackles broader social themes like racial identity and the limitations placed on immigrants, it refrains from heavy-handed pronouncements. Instead, it allows these threads to organically intertwine with Lourenco’s personal narrative, enriching the emotional landscape. It’s a film that lingers long after the credits roll, leaving you with a profound appreciation for the human capacity for love and resilience in the face of an ever-changing world.
