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.

What happens when to the Balkans, famous for its hospitality, witty and resourceful inhabitants, comes a stranger determined to find the love of his life? Of course, nothing is predictable here, not even in this hilarious comedy in which the least expected characters and situations will appear! What the true Balkan soul, nature and humor are, will be seen in this spectacular film where nothing is as it seems, entangles and unravels. In the galaxy of famous actors, you will also see people you would not expect to recognize. Which ones? Well, welcome to the Balkans, everything's possible there!
Highlighting the many ways in which AFF 2023 illustrated that the queer experience is not a monolithic one.
One of the great achievements of this film is its ability to challenge the mind and to force you to try to process information in a different way than you’re used to.
"King Richard" paints a nuanced portrait of a Black father trying to ensure his daughters’ success in a racist, misogynistic world. Yet, Richard and his kids overcome that fear and adversity to succeed.
I hate the idea that animation’s for kids; just because it’s animated doesn’t mean that it’s some silly cartoon and shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Desi’s “straight man” to Lucy’s playful exuberance subverted people’s expectations of what a Latino man could be and added respect and nuance to the way onscreen marriages between men and women were portrayed.
There is no aspect of this film that falls short, except perhaps in minor ways.