Queer movie, soggy bunny, and liberation

 I haven't been to the cinema since 2018. Moving to another country and Covid restrictions are the main reason for that. Also the cinemas here have an infuriating habit of changing their movies and show times daily so you never really know what's on. But I was shopping the other day, saw that Daniel Craig's Queer was on just as I was passing a cinema and dived in out of the rain. I was interested to see how Craig is moving away from his Bond role. 

I hate James Bond. To me he epitomises all that is wrong both with masculinity and with the world order. But here's an actor associated with all that now playing a gay man in 1950s Mexico cruising the bars looking for some action but usually going home empty-handed and drunk and consoling himself with cocaine or heroin. In the end he gets off with a young bi man who flits between him and a girl but whom he persuades to join him in South America where he plans to experiment with ayahuasca, an experience that does not, in the end, go well. 

A slow-burn motion picture lasting over two hours with more emotion than motion. It's sexually explicit - a middle-class porn film almost. The queerness of the title refers as much to the frequent dream sequences where we either gain a vision of the character's desires or accompany him on his drug-fuelled trips. Even Mexico City by night is a somewhat misty dreamscape. Based on a novella by William S Burroughs, this was interesting though not outstanding, the emotional story being told as much through facial expression as action. I think Craig was not bad - he plays quite a good drunk, although the gurning at young men is less convincing. Not bad either is his attractive co-star, Drew Starkey. And Lesley Manville was interesting as a mad anthropologist. I admire her for being a mature actress who isn't scared of close-ups of her facial imperfections. The anachronistic soundtrack jarred, though. 

Sue's Reviews gives three and a bit stars. Wishing Danial Craig well in getting other roles that display more versatility than thuggish Bond. And I'm all for in-your-face LGBT themes in this day and age.

A pansy star photographed in San Marino last week. Queer gets three and a bit pansy stars.

 

Rain

It never stops raining. For a location that boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, I think we've had enough wet, grey days since autumn to last the rest of the decade. Torrential rain yesterday brought quite a bit of damage. I'm thankful to the kind motorist who slowed down as he drove through our flooded road so he didn't splash me. Pedestrians appreciate thoughtful motorists. 

Monday is a public holiday and traditionally it's barbecue day in Italy. I have some bunny burgers (a local speciality) and I have my fingers crossed for a dry day. I pity the hotels and beach bars that have seen low bookings for this weekend that opens the summer season.

 

Liberation

Next Friday, April 25th, is also a public holiday in Italy. It's Liberation Day that commemorates the surrender of axis forces in the Italian theatre of World War II. This year is the 80th anniversary and I plan to join the parades and report back. Given that this week transphobia was enshrined in the Hungarian constitution and a court ruling in the UK creates similar difficulties, the fight against fascism and hate never ends. I was raised by a fascist and I'd hope to offer some thoughts on combating that political attitude based on my personal experience and on advice from my grandfathers who fought the fascists last time round.

Sue x