We’re now into our second week of isolation and feelin’ it. So instead of doing a push-up challenge, we got down with our community of LGBTQ+ travellers to figure out what travel and/or gay cinema they recommend quaran-streaming.
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Recommended by Kevin Robitaille
Decades before Netflix’s short-lived AJ & The Queen, a trio of drag queens stole our hearts in this classic road trip flick. Expect three truly unsung performances by Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Recommended by Tom Sappenfield
Woody Allen’s 2008 dramedy about a summer schlep in scalding Spain features some sexual tension as hot as the weather. The international feature literally inspired Tom’s own trip to Spain!
Muriel’s Wedding
Recommended by Brad Bannon
An Australian classic, Muriel’s Wedding stars a fresh-faced Toni Collette as the timid title character. Throughout the dark comedy/coming-of-age story, Muriel learns to find happiness beyond just listening to the hits of disco legend, Abba.
Cruising
Recommended by Nicholas Lopes
Cruising is a very gritty erotic thriller released in 1980 and starring Al Pacino. While some of the movie’s depictions of LGBTQ+ life may be outdated, the film was revolutionary at the time and certainly worth a rewatch.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Recommended by Glen Broomhall
‘Road trip movies starring a strong drag queen lead’ should be a category on Netflix! In this case, two outgoing Queens and a trans woman board a bus nicknamed Priscilla bounding across Australia. Expect that distinctly dark Aussie humour.
The Birdcage
Recommended by Felipe Ortega Jr.
Based on the French Film of the same name, this absolutely uproarious 90s comedy has aged with grace. Robin Williams shines alongside the always delightful Nathan Lane.
Airplane!
Recommended by Scott Furman
While it may not cure coronavirus, laughter is still one of the best medicines. And if you haven’t seen it, Airplane! will leave you howling. Don’t believe us? Well, this disaster parody has continuously topped almost every international ‘Best in Comedy’ list written.
Y Tu Mamá También
Recommended by Scott Marquardt
While not exactly “gay gay”, this Mexican road trip by way of coming-of-age flick does feature some steamy bisexual tension. Including an unforgettable M-M-F salsa session. The down-to-earth and genuine movie was early evidence of Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón’s brilliance.
Call Me By Your Name
Recommended by Ed Salvato
When prodded for his top recommendation, our friend Ed Salvato (Founder of Hospitable Me) offered this eloquent synopsis of his pick: “Call Me By Your Name, a 2017 coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino and with screenplay by James Ivory is a sensual story of gay first love. It’s set in the summer of 1983 in the north of Italy. The sophisticated, intellectual and poetic protagonist played by the adorable Timothée Chalamet falls hard for a charming American scholar played by the handsome Armie Hammer. In this sun-dappled setting, the two discover mutual desire. The gorgeous settings of the movie will satisfy your travel lust, while the the gorgeous actors may stimulate your gay lust. Spoiler alert: It’s a refreshing gay movie that doesn’t end in tragedy or rejection.”
How To Survive A Plague
Recommended by Carl Hiehn
Okay, okay, okay. We hear you. “How pretentious to recommend a documentary!” But before you get your knickers in a knot, this documentary is one of the most powerful, upsetting and entirely empowering movies you will ever see. Using actual footage, it retells the story of the early years of the AIDS crisis and the efforts of activist groups ACT UP and TAG.
Pride
Recommended by Robert Sharp
With his characteristic glass-half-full personality, Out Adventures’ founder recommends Pride. In his own words, “Based on a true story, the film depicts a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners’ strike in 1984. In the coming months and years we will need to come together in this exact way to help those around us, so this movie holds great significance today.”
Header photo by Glenn Carstens Peters on Unsplash.com.
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