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.

On a little girl's birthday, her parents' friends come. The received gifts are piled up in her room and most of them are the same. The guests forget the little celebrant and close in the lounge. The dance begins, and the elders play cards. The little one is left alone. Neighbors are disturbed by the noise and ask the caretaker to intervene. He goes to the apartment where he is celebrating. The girl opens the door for him. He invites the good old caretaker to his room to show him the toys. Wanting to beautify her birthday, the caretaker tries to cheer up the little one. With the help of her toys she enters the world of fairy tales. The dolls come to life and the girl happily participates in their game. Time passes, it is already late at night and the girl falls asleep. The caretaker leaves quietly, leaving her in the interior of her room full of toys.
Highlighting the many ways in which AFF 2023 illustrated that the queer experience is not a monolithic one.
In season 3 of 'Umbrella Academy', Diego, Allison, and Viktor finally get character arcs that address their unique experiences as a Latino man, a Black woman who lived through the 60s, and a trans man.
Personalities clash and tempers fume in a family-run Chicago restaurant
In a film where a Black couple is framed to be the lead characters, they still managed to get shuffled off to the sidelines. The enthusiastic cast delivers well on goofy bits- but can only go so far before they begin to fall flat.
This romance movie has strong representation of Taiwanese people.
Earth and Blood is slow, but it still has it’s entertaining moments. If you’re into thrillers, or want to watch something new, then this film might be for you. As for me, Earth and Blood was tolerable enough.