Whatever your entertainment needs, we got your back (and hopefully your mind) with Queerty’s weekly “Culture Club” column with some of the highlights of new releases, streaming shows, classics worth revisiting, and what to drink while you watch.
The Catch: Mayor Pete
Pete Buttigieg fans listen up: Mayor Pete, the new documentary by Jesse Moss, features the former South Bend Mayor and Democratic Presidential Candidate in gray sweatpants.
Mayor Pete follows the eponymous mayor and his husband Chasten from Pete’s decision to run for president, all the way through Election 2020. The resultant film, much in the tradition of Feed and The War Room, offers a rare, stark look at the grittiness of American politics. Flanked by a team of devoted campaign aides, Buttiegig sets off across the United States shaking hands and making a name for himself as the politician of the future…and survives near-constant homophobic harassment along the way.
Moss and his camera present Pete Buttigieg as an almost unflappable entity—one who possesses both extraordinary political aptitude almost creates his public flaws. Whether confronted by angry protesters or winning the Iowa caucus, Buttiegeg keeps his same cool demeanor. The heart of the movie, on the other hand, is his relationship with Chasten. Moss captures the two in private, tender moments wherein the couple has a near-nonverbal connection with one another. The movie also shows of Chasten’s own political skills as an advisor and campaigner—he’s Pete’s secret weapon all along. Heartwarming, fascinating and uplifting as a political documentary can be, Mayor Pete should be a must-see for fans of Buttiegig, as well as anyone with an eye turned toward the American political stage.
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November 12 on Amazon Prime Video.
The Binge: San Francisco Trans Film Festival
The 24th Annual San Francisco Transgender Film Festival returns this week, bringing with it a host of new short films featuring trans themes and queer talent. This year’s selections include films by queer artists Dave Quantic, Katie Bennett & Blake Hansen, and Sean Dorsey, as well as performances by a litany of trans performers (including Theo Germaine). It’s a terrific way to celebrate Transgender Awareness Week by honoring trans voices…and keeping a lookout for cinematic talent on the rise.
Streams on demand November 11-14.
The Romance: Isaac
This Spanish drama arrives on streaming this week, bringing with it a whole lotta tumult. Based on the stage play El día que nació Isaac, the film tells the story of two childhood friends, Denis and Nacho, who reconnect in adulthood. Both have married women, and both now face financial and domestic woes. When Denis offers to help solve Nacho and his wife’s fertility issues, secrets from the two men’s teen years begin to surface, bringing with them long-buried passions.
Watching Isaac, we couldn’t help but think about Y tu mamá también, Alfonso Cuaron’s film which deals with similar themes of masculine identity, youthful homoeroticism, maturity and how men and women relate to one another. Unlike that film, Isaac deals with the future ramifications of a same-sex teen romance. Marta and Carmen, the wives of Denis and Nacho, sense their longtime bond and feel intimidated by it, though both also see it as a necessary means to an end. Also unlike Y tu mamá, Isaac features a dark twist when it comes to the fate of the title character—another childhood friend of Denis & Nacho. By turns very sexy and gut-wrenching, we recommend it for anyone looking for a love story smart enough to know it doesn’t have all the answers.
Streams on Amazon, Vudu, & Vimeo November 16.
The Heart Warmer: Always Jane
This limited series arrives on Amazon this week, documenting the story of Jane Noury, a transgender teenager on the brink of adulthood. The show follows Jane as she prepares to graduate high school and head out to college, and into a world where her doting family can no longer protect her. The show also grapples with Jane’s own struggle over if she should have gender confirmation surgery prior to leaving home.
At its core, Always Jane is the story of a devoted and loving family—the kind anyone queer, straight or otherwise, would be lucky to claim. Noury comes off as a healthy, well-adjusted and dynamic young woman, though that status didn’t come about in a vacuum—she has her loved ones to thank. Far from the usual tales of victimhood, political strife, and transition, Always Jane presents its protagonist as both an aspirational figure and an aspiring one: Jane’s confidence is an example to other queer people of all ages. That her story is only just beginning should also remind viewers that even the most polished human beings can always aim higher.
Streams Nov. 12 on Amazon.
The Jam: K. Flay “Nothing Can Kill Us”
Queer popper K. Flay drops her latest video this week, a pop-rock fusion ode to teen love, gay style. “Nothing Can Kill Us” tells the story of two teen girls in mad infatuation, and how their love for one another acts as a shield in a hostile world. Of course, losing that special someone can lead to a life of persistent regret, and catch a shadow over future relationships. “Nothing Can Kill Us” knows as much, and heralds powerful reminder: live, love and make each happy moment last.
Streams on YouTube.
The Sip: Pineapple Mule
In honor of the Spanish romance of Isaac, we offer up this variation on a Moscow Mule which has a popular following in Spain. Combining the spicy tastes of ginger and pineapple, this savory drink has no shortage of kick…hence the name.
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2 teaspoons ginger syrup
- 4 ounces of pineapple juice
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1 ounce lime juice
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2 ounces Mezcal
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splash of seltzer water
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candied ginger and pineapple leaf as garnish
Combine pineapple and lime juice, ginger syrup and mezcal in a shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass with ice. Add seltzer to taste.
Hank31
So it’s OK for transgenders to have their own T-exclusive film festival, but it’s not OK for LGB or gay people to have ours? One might almost conclude that “LGBT” is a political invention used to benefit trans activists at the expense of LGB people, and never the other way around.
barryaksarben
OH shut up. I have been to tons of film festivals of all kinds , Latin, women, canadian, northwest and glbt where all the films were of white gay men with no trans or 1 token one so there are gay men film festivals. You are obviously NOT gay or you would KNOW that. You are just one more trans hater and thus probably a tiny dicked straight guy
Hank31
So Latinos can have a Latino film festival. Canadians can have a Canadian film festival. Women can have a women’s film festival. Transgenders can have a trans film festival.
But gay people cannot have our own film festival. Any gay or LGB film festival producers must make it “LGBT” and must include transgenderism. But a trans film festival that is entirely devoid of LGB films is A-OK.
chris_clb614
Spoken like somebody has never seen a trailer for any gay-specific movie boasting of its appearances at multiple LGBT film festivals. SMDH
CityguyUSA
The gay “community” has never been much of a group so why should it be any different now? Men can’t get along with men if they don’t look right or act right.