Beyond the Black Rainbow (2011)

Gay representation is out there, but to portray a character who's gay as a big, happy brute is a rare treat.

"His Girl Friday" set the bar for romcoms and gave us a feminist heroine before feminism was cool.

By undermining the appeal and credibility of black characters, the show compromises the very idea of diversity and representation it sets to promote.

Throughout Brendan Fraser’s career, he has played a plethora of unique, layered characters who explore the importance of not being afraid to display your emotions, something that is often seen to not be a masculine trait. This idea of regulating emotion and what traits men are able to possess creates a toxic atmosphere for men who are often told they should not cry or represent their emotions in any physical way. These characters represent that men can be joyful, emotionally conscious, and sensitive, while also representing their masculine identity instead of painting those qualities as fighting against their masculinity.

Adapted from a 2014 novel by Atticus Lish, Preparation for the Next Life is the feature film debut of documentary filmmaker Bing Liu. With the help of screenwriter Martyna Majok, he paints a realistic and somber portrayal of Aishe, a Uyghur immigrant, as she struggles to make a living while undocumented in the United States.