5 films to catch at Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival

How To Win At Checkers (Every Time) by Josh Kim

Competing for the Best Narrative Feature Award, this Thai film tells the story of Oat, a poor orphan, who is trying to get his openly-gay older brother, Ek, out of Thailand’s annual military draft conscription. While Ek's wealthy boyfriend is able to get out of it, Ek is not. Directed by Josh Kim, an American-born Thai, it’s a poignant tear-jerker.

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Walking The Walk by Moses Tulasi

Competing for the Riyad Wadia Award for Best Indian Emerging Filmmaker, Walking The Walk is a short documentary following the participants of Hyderabad’s queer Swabhimana (pride) march in February 2015, against the backdrop of the Andhra-Telangana partition movement. Directed by Chicago-based ex-technologist Moses Tulasi, it features fierce fighters from different castes, classes and sexualities, reflecting the diverse politics of the movement in India.

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Didn't have the good fortune to be at Cannes? Fret not. Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival kicks off on May 25. Now in its seventh year, the film fest has played an important role in enabling dialogue surrounding the LGBTQ community in India. Even Sir Ian McKellen (Magneto or Gandalf to you, depending on which fantasy film genre you love) will be here to launch it. This year will be its biggest yet: with 182 films from 53 countries films screened at Liberty Cinema, Alliance Française and Max Mueller Bhavan. We know, there’s a staggering amount of brilliance, but we’ve rounded up five films worth ditching work for.

Carol by Todd Haynes 

Carol tells the tale of a forbidden love affair between a young, aspiring photographer (Rooney Mara) and a much older woman (Cate Blanchett) who is going through a difficult divorce. Based on the story The Price Of Salt, by Patricia Highsmith, it features power-packed performances and sensitive storytelling that have gained over 180 industry and critics nominations and over 50 awards. This film will be opening the festival at Liberty Cinema on May 25.

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Tab Hunter Confidential by Jeffrey Schwarz

Tab Hunter was one of the brightest stars of 1950s Hollywood. He was successful, well-loved, wildly talented, and also, secretly gay. Featuring interviews with Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, and Portia de Rossi, among others, Emmy award-winning filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz tells this incredibly fascinating and thrilling tale with his documentary. 

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