The last film on my BFI Flare Festival watchlist was Firebird, a period drama based on a true story set in Estonia during the Cold War. Following Private Sergey Fetisov (Tom Prior) who is serving the last few weeks of his military service and finds himself in a relationship with Roman (Oleg Zagorodnii), a fighter… Read More BFI Flare Festival 2021: Firebird
One film that I have seen receive a lot of praise at this year’s BFI Flare Festival is Daniel Sanchez Lopez’s directorial feature debut Boy Meets Boy. With the script written by Sanchez Lopez and Hannah Renton, the film follows British junior doctor, Harry (Matthew James Morrison) who is on a weekend trip in Berlin… Read More BFI Flare Festival 2021: Boy Meets Boy
Another biopic that I wanted to catch at BFI Flare was Enfant Terrible. Following filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s rise as an auteur and his struggle with addiction was never going to be the most comfortable watch. Directed by Oskar Roehler from a script written by Klaus Richter, Enfant Terrible stars Oliver Masucci as Fassbinder in… Read More BFI Flare Festival 2021: Enfant Terrible
Another film that I was especially keen to watch at this year’s BFI Flare Festival was Tove, a biopic about Tove Jansson who is known as the creator, author and illustrator of the Moomin book series. Directed by Zaida Bergroth from a screenplay, written by Eeva Putro, the film follows Tove (Alma Pöysti) and her… Read More BFI Flare Festival 2021: Tove
The fourth film on my BFI Flare watch list is Rūrangi, a project set in the titular village which is a politically divided area in New Zealand. Initially ordered as a five episode web series, this is being presented as a full feature film at the festival. Following Caz (Elz Carrad), a transgender man who… Read More BFI Flare Festival 2021: Rūrangi
One of the films I have even excited to view was Katie Found’s directorial debut, My First Summer. The film follows Claudia (Markella Kavenagh), who is grieving after her mother drowned herself and Grace (Maiah Stewardson), a girl who lives nearby who saved Claudia from drowning with her mum. Claudia has lived a life in… Read More BFI Flare Festival 2021: My First Summer
The second film on my itinerary for this year’s festival was Thomas Wilson-White’s drama The Greenhouse. Set in an idyllic Australian suburb, the film follows Beth (Jane Watt) who is grieving the loss of her mother, Lillian (Rhondda Findleton). The eldest of four siblings who have gone on to achieve amazing things in their lives,… Read More BFI Flare Festival 2021: The Greenhouse
BFI Flare Festival is all about showcasing the newest films that explore LGBT+ issues and the variety this year follows all paths of life from all corners of the globe. Opening the festival this year is Phil Connell’s Jump, Darling. The film follows Russell (Thomas Duplessie), a drag queen who moves back in with his… Read More BFI Flare Festival 2021: Jump, Darling
Another film that reigned victorious was J Blakeson’s dark comedy I Care a Lot. Winning Rosamund Pike the Golden Glibe for Lead Actress in a Musical or Comedy. The film follows con artist Marla (Pike) who acts as a legal guardian for the rich and elderly in order to drain them off their funds and… Read More I Care a Lot (2020)
The United States vs. Billie Holiday has produced one of the biggest surprises to come out of this year’s Golden Globes. Andra Day proved victorious in the Lead Actress in a Drama category as she beat out favourites Frances McDormand and Carey Mulligan to receive the prize for her turn as legendary jazz singer, Billie… Read More The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021)
