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Inside Out 2008: Like A Virgin

By Johnnie Walker

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Gay movies get a bad rap. Even some of the most avowed homosexualists we know cringe at the thought of curling up in front of anything other than Brokeback Mountain, or possibly The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. Well, the mouthful that is the Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival is doing everything it can to change that. The festival, which opens its 18th season tonight, showcases films from around the world with queer themes, be they docs or dramas, shorts or features, high camp or horror. Torontoist has been to the press screenings, we’ve worked our way through the tall stack of screeners sitting next to our TV, and we feel uniquely qualified to bring you the following news: these gay movies don’t suck. On the contrary. In fact, the high level of quality in the films being presented, as well as their diversity, makes this year’s Inside Out not just a brilliantly programmed gay film festival, but a brilliantly programmed film festival period. And if you’re still not sold, there will be a special sing-and-drag-along presentation of Priscilla on closing night as a part of this year’s Australian Focus.
Things kick off tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Varsity with Like a Virgin, an entirely original, quirky, and charming 2006 Korean film. It follows the adventures of Oh Dong-gu, a fifteen-year-old boy with two simple dreams: becoming Madonna and marrying his favourite teacher. But first the pudgy little guy will have to navigate his way through high school bullying, an abusive alcoholic dad, and a mom who has run away to work at Korean Disneyland, while trying to somehow cobble together enough money for a sex change operation. Things start looking up when he discovers a talent for Ssireum, a traditional Korean form of wrestling, and realizes that if he wins a Ssireum competition, the cash prize could be the solution to all his problems. Like a Virgin is funny, visually striking, and genuinely heartwarming, especially due to Deok-Hwan Ryu’s winning performance as Oh Dong-gu.
Like a Virgin screens alongside the Canadian short No Bikini as the festival’s opening night gala. If that sounds too fancy for you, check back tomorrow, when the festival proper begins, for more reviews, listings, and coverage.

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  • Jaime Woo

    Like a Virgin sounds interesting. Y Tu Mama Tambien, Before Night Falls, and C.R.A.Z.Y. are also all must-sees.
    Then again, if you’re curling on the couch, Brothers & Sisters is solid every week.

  • Johnnie Walker

    Word, Jaime. I’m also a fan of Maurice, Lilies, The Hanging Garden, My Beautiful Laundrette, Burnt Money and anything by Pedro Almodovar.

  • Doggiez

    Pedro Almodóvar’s films are unwatchable, just like anything by Jim Jarmusch. Wank-fest, artsy crap aimed at immture wanna-be types.

  • Doggiez

    I meant “immature.” Goddamn worthless work keyboard!

  • Tyson Che

    @Johnnnie:
    Many gay-themed films are crap. Did you see “Mambo Italiano”? It wasn’t crap because it was a gay film, it was crap because it was a terrible little film.

  • MariaPD

    I actually like Almodóvar films a lot. I’ve seen most of them since the beginning of his career and it is interesting to see how he has evolved in his work. He also uses a lot of symbols to depict the Spain he grew up in and the Spain of the 21st century. It’s really interesting as author’s cinema.

  • dowlingm

    I read a similar sentiment in the Queer Culture column in the Star this week. Sorry, but heterosexualists have to put up with excrement like the latest Patrick Dempsey movie then equality demands that homosexualists put up with Breakfast with Scot. Fair’s fair.

  • Johnnie Walker

    I don’t really want to debate the artistic merits of Pedro Almodovar here, since I didn’t mention him in the post and he doesn’t have a film in this festival. I like his movies and I know I’m not alone in that sentiment. If you don’t like them… I don’t really care.
    @Tyson Che and dowlingm: Brent Ledger’s column in question is here. And I really do agree with both of you. Lots of gay movies are terrible. Lots of movies in general are terrible. But what’s great about Inside Out is that it’s maybe the only time of the year when you definitely have an opportunity to see gay movies that don’t suck
    For anyone curious about seeing quality gay cinema, check out the films Jaime and I mentioned and check back for my continuing coverage of the festival.

  • andrew

    I’m really only interested in the sci-fi drag queen shorts. Ahem, short films. On Friday. At Cinecycle.