8 Queer Films to Watch This Summer

In the rough suburbs of Palermo, Salvo, a young father, struggles to support his son. Caught between shady jobs and criminal activities, he becomes entangled in a spiral of violence. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Ciurè, a charismatic transgender dancer. She opens the doors to a world he never knew: a colourful nightclub where she performs every night. Confronted with his own prejudices, Salvo faces a life-changing choice. Can he let go of his macho culture and reinvent himself? Or will he fall back into old patterns?

The closing film of the Movies that Matter Festival 2024 is about Lia, a retired teacher from Georgia. She has promised to find out what happened to her long-lost cousin Tekla. When Lia hears from her neighbour Achi that Tekla may have left Georgia and is living in Turkey, Lia and Achi set off together to find her. Upon arriving in Istanbul, they discover a beautiful city full of connections and possibilities. But searching for someone who does not want to be found is more difficult than they had expected. Then they meet Evrim, a lawyer who fights for transgender rights. As Lia and Achi make their way through the city's alleys, Tekla begins to feel closer than ever.

Journalist and writer William Lee (Daniel Craig) spends his days in Mexico City in the 1950s. There is a lively American community there, but he keeps to himself. With the arrival of Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), William blossoms. He is captivated by the elusive young man and overjoyed when Eugene agrees to travel with him through South America. During this trip, they seem to become one. But life cannot be controlled. Director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Challengers) once again explores notions of masculinity, intimacy and friendship in Queer, and does so in a dazzling way.

When eighteen-year-old Wellington (Baby) is released from juvenile detention, he has nothing and no one to fall back on except the streets of São Paolo. His parents have left without leaving their new address, and Baby has no means of building a new life for himself. During an eventful night, he meets Ronaldo, a man in his forties, who teaches him to become independent. Gradually, their relationship turns into a passionate love-hate relationship.

A moving and timely documentary following the unsolved murder of Venus Xtravaganza, star of the legendary film Paris Is Burning, as Venus' two families - biological and ballroom - come together to seek answers and celebrate her legacy.

Matthijs' life is dominated by a paralysing insecurity about the size of his penis. He avoids places such as urinals and changing rooms and doesn't dare to walk around in tight swimming trunks on a hot summer's day, even though he would really like to. He only wears loose-fitting clothing, refrains from using dating apps, and always issues a disclaimer before engaging in sexual contact. Filmmaker Willem Timmers delves into Matthijs's vulnerable story. What begins as a personal struggle gradually unfolds into a courageous quest for liberation.