Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a re-watch.
The Fuzzy: Breaking Fast
Director Mike Mosallam and actor Haaz Sleiman announced themselves as rising queer talents with this delightful romantic comedy back in 2020. Breaking Fast stars Haaz Sleiman as Mo, a gay Muslim doctor recovering from a breakup with his boyfriend. Passions flare when he meets the handsome Kal (Michael Cassidy), but there’s a problem: during the month of Ramadan, Mo can’t have sex. Can Mo balance his faith with his budding feelings for Kal? Or is he using Ramadan as an excuse for something else?
Mosallam directs Breaking Fast with effervescent energy and finds just the right tone for a romance. It helps, of course, that he has the committed support of his cast, led by Sleiman in a charismatic performance. Before Breaking Fast, Sleiman never had an opportunity to show off this kind of range or ability–the movie proves him an effective and interesting leading man. Mosallam also uses the film as an opportunity to portray Muslims in a way they rarely appear in American films. Far from the typical religious or fanatical caricatures that have dominated popular media, Mo, and in particular, his friend Sam (Amin El Gamal), both regard their faith with a degree of pragmatism and Western perspective. For that matter, we can’t think of too many other series or films that show gay Muslims unashamed of their sexuality or faith. Breaking Fast, like its characters, finds a healthy way for the two to coexist, offering a subtle hope for viewers that the nations currently banning Eternals over its gay characters might one day accept LGBTQ people in real life, and on the screen.
Breaking Fast offers a delightful mix of humor and romance, assured direction by Mosallam and an appealing lead performance by Sleiman. Give it a watch this weekend with or without Eternals, and recognize the bright futures of Sleiman and Mosallam have ahead. We predict both will play important roles in the future of LGBTQ cinema.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Streams on Dekkoo, Hulu & VUDU.
KyleMichelSullivan
I may finally break down and sign up for Hulu in order to see this. It looks lovely.
Harley
I’ve had HULU for years. They have a vast LGBT movie and tv selection.
ddonts
BREAKING FAST is one of my favorite movies. I highly recommend it (and I don’t usually make recommendations).
Prax07
A Muslim romcom? Big-time pass.
WillParkinson
Ummmm…..sure.
Cam
A Christian Rom Com? Will you pass on that as well, because, you know, in America THEY’RE the ones trying to kill our civil rights.
Zorba123
Breaking Fast is truly a wonderful movie and easily a favorite with me! It also brings up the issues involved with stereotyping people and beliefs. I already knew this but this film helps immensely in that aspect. I recommend it highly!!!
rawbeartop
I PLAN ON SEEING IT WHILE I STILL HAVE HULU.
Cam
A very cute movie.
Armistead
One of my favs, I re-watch it every couple of weeks to give me a smile and a little bit of hope in these tough times! Breaking Fast is full of culture, laughs and thought provoking dialog. Love it!!!
ghs8956
One of the best movies. Love it.
ParkerSparks
I have enjoyed watching Haaz all the way back to Nurse Jackie, We watched Breaking Fast a few months ago and just last weekend caught him in Those People.