Leila, a young and talented tightrope walker, was banned from performing by the authorities. Since then, she has been working in her father's old circus. Samir is a teenager who falls in love with Leila and, instead of going to school, spends his days at the circus. At the same time, as political and economic problems in Iran deepen, the boy's father, Siamak, after many years of working in different jobs, gets a job as a foreman on a small donkey farm. When the animals start to disappear, he comes across terrible secrets and a web of corruption.
Overall, Matthias & Maxime doesn't reinvent this romantic concept. But it also doesn't need to. Dolan weaves a story of love, friendship, and life that is both realistic and bittersweet. The film is nuanced and sensual in a way we don't get to see often with LGBTQ characters. It's a film that we can celebrate.
In the spirit of Halloween, here's a list of body horror films which can be interpreted as trans allegories.
“I’m always interested in exploring female fantasy, and the sexy witch is a loaded archetype that is simultaneously about men’s fears and fantasies about women, and women’s feelings of empowerment and agency. So whereas we are used to seeing the sexy witch or the femme fatale from the outside, I wanted to explore her from the inside.” - Anna Biller, on why she made The Love Witch
Disney/Pixar may see a bit of a turning point with Pixar’s new Disney+ Sparkshorts short film: OUT.
Housefull 5 attempts something bold with two endings — but does the gamble pay off? Read this spoiler-filled review for a breakdown of both versions, standout moments, and why it might be the franchise’s most forgettable entry yet.
For the entirety of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Marion remains in full control of both her body and her personality, a rarity for female characters at the time of the film’s release. She’s granted depth with personal demons from her past and emotional vulnerability when the situation deems it appropriate for her to grow alongside Indy. She avidly rejects the notion of being anything other than a sassy, humane rebel, and Indy’s equal in every way. This she does while still maintaining her femininity.
