A Queer Review of the Austin Film Festival (2023)
Highlighting the many ways in which AFF 2023 illustrated that the queer experience is not a monolithic one.

The priest in Solby borrows 2,000 kroons from the parish council treasury to pay for one of his parishioners' hospital stays in Germany. Marianne, the rich man's daughter, is to be a bridesmaid in Aalborg and is leaving Copenhagen for Jutland. In Solby, she drives too fast through the town, which is why she has a car accident and ends up in the priest's garden! She immediately starts to lead everyone around the rectory, which Aunt Marie is definitely not happy about. The priest, on the other hand, is attracted to the girl. They swim in the lake and go to a ball together, which leads to Mrs. Larsen coming in to talk to the bishop. After Marianne has returned to Copenhagen, the bishop announces his arrival at the rectory. Where will the priest now find the 2,000 kroons? The priest has a number of friends who are trying to help him, but he also receives unexpected help from the bishop.
Highlighting the many ways in which AFF 2023 illustrated that the queer experience is not a monolithic one.
Unlike other documentaries about Princess Diana, Perkins’ film, 'The Princess', is an entire documentary consisting of media coverage and public opinion, rather than a typical series of people interviewed with firsthand experience of the Princess. 'The Princess' beautifully depicts how we perceive Diana as a media figure rather than a real person, specifically creating her persona as a fairytale figure turned saint and icon.
I understood post-memory as passing down stories and images of one’s experiences that are not your own. For decades, rape has been depicted in cinema through a third-person perspective, leaving the viewer to observe rape; not to experience it.
"Abominable" is an exciting story for children and a great step forward for positive Asian representation.
Having Sersi be the central force in Eternals is unprecedented in its viewpoint and focus, from demonstrating a gentle type of leadership, to being overlooked in a group setting but succeeding in the goal at hand anyways, to having romantic options, to strength and integrity, and majority screen time - for a group that's given less screentime than aliens.