Embracing Authenticity and Unleashing Pride: Celebrating Diversity and Unity Through 6 Captivating Stories.
Pride Month is just around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited, June is the month of love, and all that is colorful, while every month should be Pride month, in June we celebrate, being our authentic selves, also acknowledging the struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community while loving who we want to love and being unapologetically ourselves. Many of us will find ourselves in the company of people with whom we can share our love, a screen and some popcorn. Here is a list of 6 underrated not-so-popular movies that you should watch in the wake of Pride Month this year.
1. Margarita with a Straw (2014):
A Kalki Koechlin starrer, Indian film, directed by Shonali Bose, not only explores sexuality and self-discovery but also the struggles of people with disability. Margarita with a straw shows the story of a Delhi University student, Laila Kapoor, who has cerebral palsy, she writes and composes music for an indie band at her university, Laila is not shy to explore her relationship with her sexuality as well as with men and a woman, the story also focuses on Laila’s bitter-sweet relationship with her mother. Laila shares with us, her journey of self-exploration and self-love, she’s a fierce young woman who doesn’t let her disability dictate her life. Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar, very cleverly wrote disabled characters without making their disabilities a defining trait, they shift the focal point of the film from pity or self-loathing to the journey of self-love and self-acceptance. Margarita with a Straw will leave you with happy tears at the end.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
2. …But I’m a Cheerleader (1999):
But I’m a Cheerleader is not your typical chick-flick, it’s a Teen comedy with a satirical tone to it. Megan, played by Natasha Lyonne, is obviously a cheerleader, has a boyfriend from the football team, does well in school, but what happens when her family and friends start to think she might be suffering from “lesbianism”? The movie revolves around the cheerleader (Megan) who is sent to a conversion camp for queer people, to alter her sexual orientation. She’s confused for the most part of the film but starts to catch feelings for rebellious lesbian at the camp. But I’m a Cheerleader is a light-hearted, fun movie to watch, with a deep message, the title being apt, the girl is asking to be defined by her skills rather than her sexuality.
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 42%
3. The Danish girl (2015):
One of my all-time favourites, based on the novel of the same name, written by David Ebershoff, the film is inspired by the Danish painters Lili Elbe (one of the first recipients of gender-affirming surgery) and Gerda Wegner. The Danish Girl is a tale of friendship, mostly, but also about the struggles of finding yourself, Einar is married to Gerda Wegner, when he is asked by his wife to pose as a model, a gender identity crisis is triggered in him, Einar starts to cross-dress and realises he doesn’t identify as a male, which takes us on a journey of transformation of the main character from Einar to Lily. It is a beautifully written, well executed story which would leave you wondering about a lot of things.
IMDb Rating:7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 66%
4. Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013):
You might have heard of this one to be an erotic lesbian movie, but I assure you it is much deeper than that. Blue is the Warmest Colour is a French film, that revolves around a teenager named Adele, whose life changes when she meets an older woman with blue hair, who allows her to express herself and her desires, it is a story of heartbreak, passion, confusion and self-discovery, just like Adele we all find ourselves confused, and sometimes with no sense of self, the character is very well written in terms of relatability. The film affirms that it is okay to be hurt, unclear and vulnerable. The movie is aesthetically pleasing and you will be awestruck the whole time with the beauty of Adele, as she goes through life, experiencing reality.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
5. The perfection (2018):
An American Psychological Thriller, Feminist film, starring Allison Williams and Logan Browning, playing the roles of two musical prodigies and same-sex lovers who plot for vengeance together. The plot spins back and forth, not revealing all the secrets and twists at once to the audience, which was a tiny bit frustrating but mostly applauded. Charlotte (Allison Williams), a master cellist as a child, was forced to leave her academy and practice as her mother got sick, after a few years when her mother dies, she returns to the academy only to find out that she had been replaced by lizzie (Logan Browning), they meet at a concert in shanghai where begins the sexual tension between the two.
The Perfection is a story of abuse and revenge which has some disturbing, gory sequences that send chills down the spine.
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
6. Disobedience (2017):
A Romance film about a woman called Ronit, a photographer in New York City, who was eluded from her Jewish community for being attracted to a childhood friend, returns to her orthodox hometown in London for her father’s funeral who had disowned her for being gay, her welcome is hostile and hateful by those attending the funeral. When she meets the childhood friend (who is married now) after so many years, the spark reignites. The movie attempts to examine faith, religion, heartbreak and friendship, exploring the theme of orthodox families being unable accept homosexuality. Disobedience is a very well written, passionate tale that makes us question faith.
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Pride Month offers an opportunity to celebrate and embrace the diversity of human experiences and identities. These six movies recommended for this special month capture the power, struggles, triumphs, and love within the LGBTQ+ community. Each film has the potential to educate, inspire, and entertain audiences from all walks of life. Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or an ally, watching these movies can deepen our understanding, empathy, and appreciation for the unique journeys of queer individuals. So, grab some popcorn, gather your friends, and let these stories transport you to worlds of acceptance, resilience, and love. This Pride Month, let us come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and continue striving for a future where all voices are heard and cherished.