The representation of LGBT individuals in Indonesia’s media is rare to begin with, and when they are depicted, they are often negatively portrayed as one-dimensional stereotypes (there are a few exceptions, of course, such as in the film “Arisan!”). That’s part of the reason the yearly Q-Film Festival is so important – it provides Indonesian audiences with the opportunity to see dozens of films that tackle LGBT themes with complex, dramatically nuanced characters.
The Q-Film Festival, which was started in 2002 by freelance journalists and movie buffs, has had some troubles in the past, specifically vehement protests from Muslim fundamentalist groups. As described on the festival’s website, “The launching of the festival in 2002 and 2003 were marked with protests from Muslim fundamentalist groups. In 2010, the attack developed into physical threats, demonstrations and lawsuits. In 2012, the police rejected our announcement letter and unofficially requested us to procure a recommendation letter from MUI on being Halal or Haram.”
But last year, the police finally stepped and did their duty, allowing the festival to go ahead. According to the website, “In 2013, as citizen protector, the police did the job well for the festival.”
Which brings us to this year’s festival, which has tagline of “100% Human.” The 13th year of Q! Film Festival is the biggest queer film festival in Asia, in terms of number of film screenings and number of days.
Over nine days, the festival will screen 107 films in 10 different venues throughout Jakarta, including Kineforum, Salihara, Institut Francais Indonesie (IFI), Goethe Institut and Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Jakarta. The film programs fall under different headers such as “Glitter Fever” and “Dykevergent.”
In conjunction with the film festival, there will also be the Q! Art Exhibition, “Straight Acting” in which 10 local heterosexual artists portray their vision and impression of queers in different artistic medium. A talk show and book launch round out the event.
For a full schedule of film screenings and related events, you can head to the Q-Film Festival website and Facebook page. Below we’ve listed just a few of the movies we’d recommend you check out. All the film screening and events are free, but arrive early because some of the theaters are quite small so seating is limited.
Festival highlights
Quick Change
Director: Eduardo Roy, Jr.
Philippines, 2013 | 98 minutes | Colour
In Tagalog with English subtitle
Dorina believes she is a lady incarcerated inside a male body. She’s got herself a flourishing career, albeit in an illegal cosmetic surgery business. She is a mother figure to Hero, her eight year old nephew. She acts as a devoted wife to Uno. Between her job and her family, Dorina feels that she is one lucky woman. Until Uno falls in love with another tranny (transvestite).
Showing: 27 Sept, Goethe-Institut 18.00
Heavy Girls
Director: Axex Ranisch
Germany, 2011 | 76 minutes | Colour
In Dutch with English subtitle
Sven lives with his mother Edeltraut in an apartment and even shares her old bed from when shewas married. When he goes to work, Daniel comes to take care of his mother, who is suffering from dementia. One day, Edeltraut locks the carer out on the balcony and runs off. Together, Sven and Daniel go searching for her. This could be the beginning of a wonderful friendship, if Sven did not have such clear gay tendencies – and Daniel was not waiting for his wife and child. And so the story unfolds as a tragicomic love story. The happy end doesn’t promise a union between them, but rather Sven’s emancipation.
Showing: 24 Sept, Goethe-Institut 18.00 | 27 Sept, LBH Jakarta 19.00
Big Gay Love
Director: Ringo Le
USA, 2014 | 85 minutes | Colour
In English with English subtitle
Big Gay Love is a comedy about Bob (Jonathan Lisecki), a successful party planner who has it all – a great job and fabulous friends. But success hasn’t come without a price. Bob has become the chubby gay man everyone adores, but no one desires. Bob wants true love. But when Andy (Nicholas Brendon) enters his world can he handle it?
Showing: 26 Sept, Goethe-Institut 18.00 | 27 Sept, Kineforum 19.00 | Director In Attendance.
The Circle
Director: Stefan Haupt
Switzerland, 2014 | 101 minutes | Colour
In Swiss/German with English subtitle
Zurich, 1958. The bashful teacher Ernst Ostertag and the German cabaret artist Röbi Rapp get to know one another in the Swiss underground organisation called “Der Kreis.” As the two dissimilar men defend their love, they witness the heyday and decline of this Europe-wide pioneering organisation for gay emancipation. Winner of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Teddy Award for best film highlighting LGBT themes.
Showing: 24 Sept, Goethe-Institut 20.00 | 27 Sept, Binus International (R.310) 14.30
