Premier long-métrage du réalisateur Andy Vallentine, A l’horizon (titre original The Mattachine Family) raconte le parcours d’un trentenaire gay confronté à sa quête de paternité. Un film touchant et sincère, aux accents de vécu personnel. Résumé de A l’horizon (The Mattachine Family) : Thomas (incarné par le séduisant Nico Tortorella), photographe trentenaire, a consacré sa vie à immortaliser ses proches à travers l’objectif. L’amour, la famille et l’amitié sont au cœur de son existence. Ses parents étant décédés, il se rapproche de ses amis les plus proches : son ancien voisin et meilleur ami gay Jamie, sa meilleure amie lesbienne Leah, mais surtout de son mari Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace). Ce dernier, enfant abandonné, a été placé en foyer d’accueil avant de devenir une star grâce à une série télévisée traitant de ce thème. Après avoir été exposé par la presse à scandale et avoir traversé une période de déclin professionnel, Oscar retrouve désormais un semblant de bonheur auprès de Thomas et se prépare à jouer dans une nouvelle série. Malgré leur amour fort, Thomas et Oscar traversent une phase difficile. Ils avaient accueilli un enfant abandonné pendant un an, mais après s’y être fortement attachés, la mère de l’enfant est venue le reprendre. Pendant ce moment particulièrement éprouvant pour Thomas, Oscar, en plein tournage pour sa nouvelle série, a dû s'absenter. Heureusement, le photographe peut compter sur ses amis de toujours pour le soutenir. Toutefois, cette expérience de paternité soulève en Thomas de nombreuses questions sur ce qu'il souhaite réellement dans sa vie. Peu à peu, il prend…

Depuis plus de dix ans, Noel Alejandro a su se faire un nom dans l'univers du cinéma, en s'imposant comme un réalisateur unique en son genre. Ses débuts, marqués par des courts-métrages parfois perçus comme du cinéma X gay d'auteur, l'ont progressivement conduit à un statut de cinéaste reconnu. Sa carrière s'est enrichie d'œuvres éclectiques et surprenantes, dans lesquelles il maintient une exigence de qualité formelle sans failles. Son dernier film, Remember I am dead, dont la version « Original cut » est disponible en ligne pour une durée avoisinant l’heure, continue de surprendre. Si la sexualité explicite reste présente, elle ne constitue plus le principal moteur du film. Même si la scène intime est centrale, elle sert davantage à illustrer la mélancolie qui domine le récit. Remember I am dead se profile ainsi comme une œuvre étrange et singulière, difficile à comparer à d'autres films, défiant toute tentative d'étiquetage simpliste. Pierre Emö, fidèle acteur et ami du réalisateur, incarne Sagat, un trentenaire solitaire vivant dans une vaste maison isolée en pleine campagne. Ce lieu, autrefois animé, est désormais délaissé, et la solitude de Sagat semble profondément le ronger. Sa seule compagnie est celle d'Albert, interprété par Kody McCree, un jeune homme séduisant qui l’assiste dans ses tâches agricoles. Dès les premières scènes, une atmosphère étrange et silencieuse s'installe, sans musique, immergeant le spectateur dans l'univers d'une campagne coupée du monde. Mais l'événement qui survient ensuite est des plus inattendus : Sagat se rend au cimetière local et déterre un cadavre qu'il ramène chez lui. Ce corps appartient à Roman,…

In a quiet corner of Midwestern America, the echoes of youth lingered in the air like whispers carried on the wind. For many, this landscape represented simplicity; for one boy, however, it was a canvas splashed with longing and curiosity. Growing up in Maplewood—the quintessential small town—Shane had always felt different, as if his life were framed by colors unrecognized by those around him. From an early age, he sensed that his heart beat to its own rhythm amidst a cacophony of typical teenage struggles. The awakening began unexpectedly at ten years old when Shane stumbled upon an article about The Rocky Horror Picture Show while flipping through an aged magazine in his grandmother's attic. The words danced before him like confetti—a story adorned with glitter and eccentric characters who challenged notions he’d only begun to grasp. Rather than wanting to dress up and perform their fabulousness himself, he found himself intrigued by something far simpler yet profoundly stirring: admiration for men in tantalizingly unconventional attire. It wasn't just some innocent infatuation; it sparked fantasies that entwined themselves within his burgeoning identity—a mystery surrounded by tightly-knit boundaries common among boys growing up where conformity reigned supreme. As high school dawned with all its chaos and excitement filled hallways, Shane met Malik—a vibrant soul whose very presence lit fires of daring possibility within him. With waves cascading over dark skin and laughter that rang clearer than any bell beneath fluorescent lights, Malik’s flamboyance captivated not just Shane but many others around them too; he wore floral shirts with unabashed pride paired effortlessly with…

Jenny Blake Isabella, the creator of DC Comics' Black Lightning, has publicly come out as transgender. She shared this news in a blog post on her personal website, where she also addressed questions from fans. While she prefers to be called Jenny, Isabella clarified that she doesn’t view her previous name, Tony Isabella, as a deadname. She plans to continue writing under both names and will present herself as Tony Isabella for most events throughout the year. Isabella is recognized for creating the character Black Lightning and the comic series itself in 1977, in collaboration with artist Trevor Von Eeden. Black Lightning holds the distinction of being DC's first African American superhero to lead his own series and is often regarded as one of the first mainstream African American superheroes. On February 9, Isabella shared an image on X stating, “Keep calm and yes I’m transgender,” along with a message affirming the authenticity of her announcement and requesting privacy for her and her family. Shortly thereafter, she revealed her preferred name on Facebook and discussed how she would use her former name. She also posted a picture of a Christmas ornament crafted by a friend following her name change. Additionally, Isabella mentioned attending her first hair appointment at the Green Opal Salon. The 73-year-old expressed on X that coming out “was one of the scariest things I have ever done,” but she has felt grateful for the love and support from her fanbase. On February 11, Isabella published a blog post on her website where she answered fan questions, detailing…

In the fall of 2024, Hallmark Channel launched an intriguing initiative with a romantic comedy trilogy titled The Groomsmen. This unique series centers on three best friends—two straight and one gay—navigating love and matrimony from the perspective of groomsmen. I’ll focus on the second film in the series, which highlights the gay storyline, but let’s briefly set the stage. Danny, Jackson, and Pete are childhood pals who have always supported each other. In the first installment, we see Pete find the love of his life at Danny's sister's wedding. Pete also has a teenage daughter who frequently spends time with the trio. Danny harbors feelings for Zack, his business manager and best friend. While both Danny and Pete are aware of this, Danny is hesitant to express his emotions for fear of losing their friendship if Zack doesn’t feel the same way. Complicating matters, Zack starts dating Nolan, which troubles Danny. As their relationship becomes serious, Zack and Nolan decide to get married, leaving Danny in shock despite his deep feelings for Zack. When Zack asks Danny to be his best man at the wedding in Greece, Danny suppresses his emotions and commits to being the supportive friend, especially since Nolan is often preoccupied with work—a significant red flag. Due to their busy schedules, Danny and Zack end up going to Greece a few days before the wedding to finalize preparations, spending every moment together, which intensifies Danny’s struggle. While Zack's feelings remain ambiguous, a near-kiss one night adds to the tension. The day before the wedding, Danny can’t hold…

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, LGBTQ+ individuals face arrest rates more than double those of their straight counterparts, with lesbian and bisexual women being over four times more likely to be arrested than straight women. Additionally, one in six transgender people have experienced incarceration at some point in their lives. Tony Vick is currently serving a double life sentence for murder at the South Central Correctional Facility in Clifton, Tennessee, where he has spent nearly three decades. Throughout his time in prison, he has taken on various roles, including tutor, clerk, and newspaper editor. He has also led book clubs and co-authored two books: Secrets from a Prison Cell: A Convict’s Eyewitness Accounts of the Dehumanizing Drama of Life Behind Bars (2018) and Locked In and Locked Out: Tweets and Stories on Prison and the Effects of Confinement (2023). In a recent essay for Filter Magazine, Vick, who grew up in a strict Southern Baptist household and was deeply closeted, reflects on being openly gay in prison and the changes he has witnessed over the years. “The experience of being gay in prison has changed a lot since I was first incarcerated almost 30 years ago,” he notes. He recalls that very few prisoners were open about their sexuality back then, and those who were often faced severe consequences, sometimes ending up in "administrative protective custody," which is a euphemism for solitary confinement. It's estimated that 85% of LGBTQ+ individuals in U.S. prisons have been placed in solitary at some point, typically under the pretense of protection, despite numerous…

This slow-paced film thoughtfully explores a gay couple at a crossroads while addressing the topic of HIV, which remains as significant today as it was in the past. Unfortunately, despite the good intentions behind the project, the filmmakers lacked sufficient story material, resulting in many quiet moments with little action. The film is visually stunning, but I wish there had been more depth to the narrative. Matteo and Riccardo are celebrating six months together when they embark on a hike. During the outing, Matteo experiences an episode of illness, revealing that he is HIV-positive. Surprisingly, Riccardo chooses to stay and offers his support. However, despite Matteo urging him to get tested, Riccardo hesitates, likely out of fear of discovering his own status. Meanwhile, Matteo grapples with uncertainty regarding his treatment options. When Matteo unexpectedly visits Enzo, Riccardo's initial suspicion gives way to understanding when he learns that Enzo is Matteo’s uncle. Enzo provides both men with insight into their feelings and offers perspective on managing the illness and their relationship, drawing from his own experiences over the years. He shares how different things were for lovers in the '80s, especially those affected by HIV. It seems the filmmaker aimed to spark a conversation around this topic, as HIV is not widely discussed today despite medical advancements. While the treatment has improved and the illness can be managed, the filmmakers missed the mark in conveying this message effectively. Most of the dialogue revolves around Enzo’s experiences from the past. Even though Riccardo doesn’t abandon Matteo upon learning his status and understands…

To be honest, TBH is NOT just a gay web series. While it has a strong gay subplot, the show primarily focuses on the lives of teenagers in a high school and the aftermath of a shooting incident in Brno. The narrative highlights the bullying culture perpetuated by a floor hockey team and their followers, a girl gang known as the Bitchez. In ten episodes, Czech Television's first original streaming series explores the search for boundaries in the painful teenage experience, particularly in an age dominated by manipulative social media. Each episode runs between 11 to 15 and a half minutes. The story kicks off when a stranger enters the school and opens fire on students. Maja, an activist, live-streams her fight for survival, leading to unexpected internet fame. Unfortunately, she also captures some awkward moments between the popular Nessa and her boyfriend, Luky, who plays floorball. The chaos escalates when Nessa’s brother, Tonda, the shooter, is revealed to have been bullied, and it turns out he was wielding a fake gun. Over the next ten episodes, flashbacks unfold the individual stories of these characters, detailing how that fateful day transpired and its aftermath. Tonda's floorball teammates show no remorse, and sadly, even his sister struggles to understand his perspective. However, as Maja befriends Nessa, she begins to see beyond her previous role as a high school mean girl. The gay subplot revolves around Luky and his best friend Pavel, who has always been more flamboyant. Luky grapples with his sexuality, especially after Pavel publicly comes out as gay. While…

So this is what it’s like to dive into an older BL series packed with clichés, melodrama, and a whole lot of fluff. This show lacks a real plot, genuine conflict, or anything that could make it even slightly interesting. Thankfully, with just 8 episodes running about 45 minutes each, they didn’t stretch it out to 12 or more episodes unnecessarily. Yet, despite this brevity, the series ends up being a coherent mess. The creators somehow manage to transform a simple, beautiful love story into something so over-the-top that it becomes exhausting to watch. Nuea transitions from high school to university, carrying a long-standing crush on his classmate Kluen. On the last day of school, he confesses his feelings, only to receive the disappointing response of “have a safe flight,” leaving Nuea heartbroken. A year later, when they reunite at university, Nuea is so embarrassed by the past that he pretends not to recognize Kluen in front of their peers. He insists he’s moved on and no longer has feelings for him. However, they find themselves living in the same dorm, which reignites their connection. Kluen is in a relationship with a girl but still seems drawn to Nuea. Reluctantly, Nuea admits that his feelings haven’t completely faded. Misunderstandings and miscommunications—like Kluen’s girlfriend or another guy flirting with Nuea—turn their interactions into a tiring game of cat and mouse. It becomes wearisome to watch. As expected, everything wraps up nicely, and the two lovers eventually come together, aided by Nuea’s supportive brother and a solid group of friends. This entire…

Discovering one’s identity and seeking love can be quite a challenging journey. For many in the queer community, drag serves as a means to explore and understand oneself more deeply. The act of applying makeup, donning glamorous outfits, and wearing extravagant wigs can unleash a hidden confidence. However, the French Canadian film Solo doesn’t focus on a drag queen's journey; instead, it delves into the passionate highs and devastating lows of a troubled relationship, laying bare a tumultuous love affair. Simon stands out as one of Quebec’s leading drag queens, celebrated for her fierce dance performances and stunning costumes, most of which are crafted by his close-knit sister. His family, including his father, wholeheartedly supports his artistic pursuits. Additionally, Simon is a talented makeup artist, seemingly having it all. Yet, like many, he is on the quest for love. Enter Oliver, a newcomer to the same club, and the two quickly fall madly in love. Their infatuation leads them to do everything together, including performing duet drag acts. However, early signs of Oliver's controlling nature begin to surface, but Simon, blinded by love, overlooks them. Gradually, Oliver isolates Simon from his family, criticizes his creativity, and engages in one-night stands with others. We learn that Simon’s longing for love is rooted in his childhood, stemming from his mother’s departure to pursue a singing career, which has now made her famous in Europe. As she visits Quebec, Simon desperately wants her to witness his performance and validate him. Unfortunately, the solo drag act he prepares for her ends in disaster. Ultimately,…

Once again, I found myself watching a film by Marco Berger without realizing he was the director. The amusing part? Throughout the movie, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the filmmaker was heavily influenced by Marco, as it felt so much like his style. It wasn’t until the credits rolled and I saw “Film by Marco Berger” that I chuckled and laughed out loud. Clearly, I’ve figured out what he enjoys directing: films brimming with intense sexual tension, and let me tell you, he excels at it. The story revolves around Pedro, who is openly gay, and Maxi, who is straight and contentedly single. They embark on a close friendship, pretending to be a couple during a summer by the sea. This scenario is packed with explicit conversations about sex and even draws amusing parallels to being an astronaut in space, leaving viewers feeling quite aroused by the end. Pedro heads back to Buenos Aires to spend a holiday with his cousin and a group of friends, including Maxi, whom he hasn’t seen since school. As they reconnect, a flirty vibe develops between Pedro and the recently single, straight Maxi, and their friends can’t help but notice the spark between them. Maxi, with no filter whatsoever, bombards Pedro with playful, sexually charged questions, which Pedro happily engages with. These cheeky conversations happen daily, creating a sense of naughtiness for the audience. After a party, Maxi loses a bet to Pedro, and as a consequence, he must tell their friends that they’re a couple for the last three days of their…

As a gay guy in his twenties navigating today’s dating scene, the journey of love can be quite a wild ride—messy yet enjoyable. Enter Derek, who embodies the very essence of "messy." Is he entertaining? Well, that’s still up for debate. Season 2 continues to explore Derek's chaotic, humorous, and undeniably tangled romantic escapades as he meets a variety of quirky, endearing, and sometimes questionable individuals while searching for love and figuring himself out. I had previously reviewed season 1, which consisted of just three episodes, each barely ten minutes long. Fast forward three years, and now we’re treated to four episodes, each lasting twenty minutes. Felix: At a party, Derek encounters an attractive guy and hopes for a lucky break. Unbeknownst to him, this Halloween is set to spiral into a real-life nightmare. As secrets emerge, Derek discovers that Felix’s dad is the same older man he had a crush on last season. This revelation sparks both hilarious and meaningful conversations. Noah: After a family Thanksgiving dinner, Derek seeks to unwind and meets a handsome guy from Santa Cruz. What was meant to be a simple hookup quickly escalates into a chaotic three-way when the guy invites his regular partner. However, Derek isn’t feeling high after smoking, leading to an unexpected turn of events that no one could have anticipated. Charlie: Spending Christmas alone, Derek unexpectedly bumps into his college rival at a gay bar. They fondly recall their college days and their shared crush on the same guy while engaging in some subtle flirting. Will the festive spirit…