BIFF 2018: My Son is Gay: a bold story defeated by its packaging
Possibly Tamil cinema’s first full-length gay film, My Son is Gay is an ambitious concept that deserved better form.
An LGBTQ film earning international recognition at a time when homosexuality is still a crime in its home country is probably the best retaliation art can orchestrate against a regressive legal policy.
My Son is Gay joins a list of other daring attempts by filmmakers in India to broach the topic of homosexuality and acceptance in India. Director Lokesh overcame an unsuccessful bid to crowdfund the project. Riding on three awards and international acclaim, the film has completed its journey and lived up to what it sought to do.
The movie saw its UK premiere at the London Indian Film Festival, a two-week-long celebration of independent Indian cinema that ended last weekend. I managed to watch it at the festival’s Birmingham chapter.
Set against the beautiful Malabar seaside in Kannur, the film traces the story of Lakshmi (Anupama Kumar). We are introduced to her as the headstrong yet understanding…
