The Mardi Gras Film Festival, which starts next week, is a showcase of the best of LGBTIQ+ cinema. There are 8 films in French or in French and other languages to see at the festival. 5 feature lengths and 3 shorts. Read on to find out about the films in French showing at Mardi Gras Film Festival 2022. Plus, find out how to win one of 3 double passes to the festival!
FILMS ONLY (OR MAINLY) IN FRENCH AT MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL
IN CINEMA: 2 March
Countries: Belgium, France, Netherlands
Languages: French and Latin with English subtitles
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Virginie Efira stars as a 17th century nun whose visions of Jesus propel her to seek pleasures of the flesh and punishment of those who oppose her.
Directed by Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct, Showgirls, Elle), Benedetta is true to form, delivering a violent, sexual tale.
IN CINEMA: 18 Feb
Countries: France, USA
Languages: English and French with English subtitles
Director: Marion Hill
Ex-lovers Bertie, Fred and Lane were once happily ensconced in a polyamorous relationship in New Orleans. Now, years later, Bertie and Fred are married and living in a picturesque villa in the South of France.
IN CINEMA: 23 and 27 Feb, 11 and 19 March
Country: France
Languages: French with English subtitles
Director: Catherine Corsini
Over the course of one volatile night, two women on the verge of breaking up find themselves in the ER of an overtaxed French hospital amidst citywide Parisian demonstrations.
The film has a wonderful cast of Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Marina Foïs, Pio Marmaï and it won the Queer Palm Award at Cannes, 2021.
MULTILINGUAL FILMS AT MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL
IN CINEMA: 22 February
Country: Romania
Languages: Romanian, French, Arabic and English with English subtitles
Director: Eugen Jebeleanu
In Eugen Jebeleanu’s directorial debut, Cristi (Conrad Mericoffer) is a young Romanian police officer struggling to negotiate his sexuality with his working life in a hypermasculine environment, where sharing one’s feelings is a sign of weakness.
While his long-distance French boyfriend, Hadi, is visiting him, Cristi and his colleagues are called to a movie theatre, where an ultra-nationalist, homophobic group has interrupted the screening of a queer film – an event based on a real protest that interrupted a Romanian screening of The Kids Are Alright. Whilst there, someone recognises him, which causes his two worlds to collide. Jebeleanu’s direction deftly contrasts this tense confrontation with moments of stillness giving a glimpse into Cristi’s personal conflict.
ON DEMAND
Country: USA
Languages: English and (some) French with English subtitles
Get behind the wigs and make up, glitz and glamour of BeBe Zahara Benet, the original winner of the first season of the global phenomenon of Rupaul’s Drag Race. From her humble beginnings in Cameroon to a new life fresh on the drag scene of Minnesota, USA, this documentary charts BeBe’s tumultuous journey to becoming the global superstar she is today.
SHORT FILMS IN FRENCH AT MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL
IN CINEMA: 2 March (part of the Guy on Guy shorts – screening with The Night Train (Nattåget) below)
Country: France
Languages: French with English subtitles
19-year-old rugby player Anthony is on a night out with friends when, in a game of dares, they challenge him to kiss the bar’s new waiter. Determined to win, he does just that, but it’s a kiss that changes everything.
IN CINEMA: 24 February (part of the Gay + shorts)
Country: Belgium
Language: English and French with English subtitles
The unexpected arrival of a Nigerian migrant in the Belgian countryside shakes up the fragile daily life of two men living a secret relationship.
IN CINEMA: IN CINEMA: 2 March (part of the Guy on Guy shorts – with BONHOMME above)
Country: Sweden
Languages: Swedish and French with English subtitles
Oskar is on the night train, heading home after an interview in Stockholm. With a long night ahead of him, he makes eye contact with Ahmad. For the first time he meets the gaze of someone who feels the same desire as he does.
KEY INFO FOR MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL
WHAT: Mardi Gras Film Festival 2022
WHERE: Cinemas in Sydney and online on demand
WHEN: 17 February to 3 March
HOW: Purchase your tickets online via the festival website https://tix.queerscreen.org.au/Sessions/ and via the individual film links
HOW MUCH:
In cinema pricing
- Queer Screen Members $17.50
- Full Price $21
- Concession $18.50
Festival passes (for in cinema use)
5 sessions:
- $75 Members
- $95 Non-members
10 sessions:
- $145 Members
- $190 Non-members
On Demand tickets
Single ticket prices
- $12 full price
- $10 for members
Support Queer Screen and buy a household ticket.
- Full Price Household Tickets $18
- Member Household Tickets $15
COMPETITION
Mardi Gras Film Festival have kindly given us 3 double passes to give away to people able to attend the festival in Sydney. To enter, find the competition post on our social media feed, tag a friend and tell us which film you want to see at Mardi Gras Film Festival 2022.
You can find us at the following social media links:
Have you been to the Mardi Gras Film Festival before?
If you’re interested in French cinema you may also be interested in the following articles:
Alliance Française French Film Festival 2022 program released!
12 films from France to see at Europa! Europa next month
Sneak peek at the first 10 films of the Alliance Française French Film Festival 2022
