I really loved this film.  I think there was a lot of use of the woman's gaze vs. the male gaze as evidenced in the importance of touch, intimacy, language etc. For those who felt as though the sapphic element was out of the blue, I think Old Dolio's discovery of her sexuality was done intentionally and organically. She is very aware of how the world perceives Melanie. At first Old Dolio seems a bit resentful at Melanie for inspiring feelings of lust/attraction. It causes her to feel shame (re: hot tub scene “making everyone uncomfortable” with her clothes). Very typical for a lot of budding queer folks that are internalize their shame when they see the same sex in a desirable way. As the film progresses she becomes more aware of her own needs/ wants. She gives Melanie the tooth pick at dinner when she’s ready. This shows she's not just the object of Melanie's affection, but actively inciating and demonstrating her desire (in her own way.) Modeled after her mother telling her that a wooden gift = a symbol for sexual desire.  I think that themes of familial struggle and the exploration of the toxic, addictive quality of people/family, chosen family, and trauma/healing were well explored. While the ending may have seemed a bit spelled out, I loved that Old Dolio got her closure of "they love her, but won't change and wish her well."  While it wasn't a perfect film I was pleasantly surprised with how touching and original it was. Gina and Evan's performances made it for me. I want to share it with my other queer friends without giving much away!

A still of <n>Solange Knowles</n> from her 2019 film <n>When I Get Home</n>, which she directed.

IT'S A LITERAL FUNERAL MASS IN UNDER 6 MINS. LOVE IT. It's structured like a Church service with a clear Opening Hymn, Sermon, Closing Hymn structure, and specifically a Black or Southern Baptist church when it comes to the Sermon portion. A lot of people realize that requiem means funeral mass and what the song means about laying the old ideas and biases to rest but no one is pointing out that the song itself is quite literally a full funeral mass, start to end. During the sermon portion there are vocal interjections as a choir would with a preacher in a call and response sort of way and also preaching chords. IT IS INGENIOUS & BRILLIANT! A clever girl indeed.

ostentatious /ˌɒstɛnˈteɪʃəs/ adjective characterized by pretentious or showy display; designed to impress.

Illustration of <n>Zima Blue</n>, a character from season one of the animated series <n>Love, Death + Robots</n>.

Model <n>Aweng Chuol</n> photographed by <n>Olivia Lifungula</n> for <n>Atmos Magazine</n>'s <n>Yemayà</n> editorial.

A film still from <n>Our Friend</n> featuring actors <n>Casey Affleck</n> and <n>Dakota Johnson</n>.

The character <n>Zima</n> from the <n>Love, Death & Robots</n> episode <n>Zima Blue</n>, directed by <n>Robert Valley</n>.

<n>STATUE BEHAVIOR 2024</n>. Photo by <n>Valeria G</n>.

<n>Ecstatic Dance</n> during the <n>InanItah Fire Season</n> on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua.

A figure in <n>Bamileke ceremonial attire</n> from Cameroon.

A <n>Dogon Rabbit mask</n> from Mali, worn by a member of the <n>Dogon people</n>.

Dogon animal mask - Rabbit by Brian McMorrow

A detail from <n>Caravaggio</n>'s painting <n>Judith Beheading Holofernes</n> (1598-1599).

A scene from the 2006 film <n>Dreamgirls</n> featuring <n>Beyoncé</n> as the character <n>Deena Jones</n>.

A 2004 portrait of <n>Eminem</n> from a photoshoot for <n>Rolling Stone</n>.

A still of <n>Janet Jackson</n> from the 1990 music video for <n>Love Will Never Do (Without You)</n>, directed by <n>Herb Ritts</n>.

There's a special feeling when someone in a film, or the film itself, gives voice to your thoughts or feelings. When those thoughts and feelings come from someone real, someone who was speaking to a camera 25 years ago, it brings a sense of history. When those thoughts and feelings come from someone who shares identities with you, it brings a sense of community. We have always been here. I'm not alone.  Certainly, there's been an evolution in the language, the identities (...and hairstyles), the political landscape, but so much of it hasn't changed. We still use codes, sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of simple continuity. Many of the words we use now were old back then, and it's clear we've found new ways to express the multitude of identities under the LGBTQ and kink umbrellas.

The <n>Chanel Beauty</n> <n>Lucky Chance Diner</n> pop-up in Williamsburg for the <n>Chanel Chance</n> fragrance.

<n>The Human Eye</n>, a macro photograph by <n>Wah Sudha</n>.

A still of <n>Rihanna</n> and <n>A$AP Rocky</n> from the music video for his 2022 song '<n>D.M.B.</n>', directed by <n>A$AP Rocky</n>.

Model <n>Sden</n> photographed by <n>Juan Otalvaro</n> for the <n>MIENTRAS DURA</n> 'Glitter Ball' event.

A still from the 2018 animated film <n>Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse</n>.

From <n>Adrienne Salinger</n>'s 1995 photographic series, <n>In My Room: Teenagers in Their Bedrooms</n>.

Cover art for the album <n>M A N D E L A</n> by <n>LeDayeon</n>.

Portrait of <n>Eileen</n> by <n>Tyler Henry</n> at <n>Grayscale Studios</n>. Makeup by <n>Angela Mobley</n>.

A portrait by Nigerian fine art photographer <n>Adaeze Okaro</n>.

<n>Solange Knowles</n> performs on <n>The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon</n> in 2019.

A building cleaner in Dubai, 2022, from a photo series on the city's foreign workers.