Queer Films to Watch this Pride Month

As we approach the date of the NYC Pride Parade and near the end of Pride Month, the Bridgehampton Museum staff has curated a list of our favorite films that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

Kaylee's Picks:

Paris is Burning

Documentary R

If you are looking to sit down for a documentary, Paris is Burning is the one to watch. Showcasing the beautiful eccentricity of ballroom culture in the 80s, this film inserts you into the queer scene of New York City and shows you the polished, yet unfiltered, way the LGBTQ+ community found family and unapologetically expressed themselves.

The Handmaiden

Thriller/Romance R

Ready to brag to all of your friends about the obscure gorgeous film you just watched? Set in Japanese-occupied Korea, The Handmaiden intersects the historical with the erotic and dives into prejudice based on gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. This movie feels like you have watched three separate films and still leaves you wanting more.

Ocean Waves (1993)

Romance/Family G

Off-beat from Studio Ghibli’s usual whimsical flair, Ocean Waves is a beautifully animated film set in Kochi, a coastal city in Japan. The film focuses on the relationships between two best friends and a new girl who moved to their high school from Tokyo. The main romantic relationship is meant to be between the girl and one of the friends, but in my opinion, this film accidentally tells the story of a young man pining for his best friend while not even recognizing it in himself.

The Imitation Game

Thriller/War PG-13

Ready for a biopic? Alan Turing’s story is a reminder that queerness is not THE character trait that defines a person, but one of many that make up an individual. This wartime thriller is sensational and will have you on the edge of your seat, but also recollects the harsh realities of history when it comes to homosexuality.

Bottoms 

Comedy R

You will laugh, you will gasp, you WILL cringe at Emma Seligmann’s sophomore film. With characters you love and love to hate, Bottoms showcases the outrageous lengths lesbian teens will go to to form relationships and boost their reputations.

Aiden's Picks:

But I’m a Cheerleader

Comedy R

Brace yourself for the greatest cross section of LGBTQ+ actors you could hope for in a 90’s romcom; this film features Clea DuVal and young RuPaul aside honorary queer icons Natasha Lyonne and Melanie Lynsky. Cheerleader Megan's clueless lesbian tendencies land her in a satirized version of a conversion camp, full of other gay teens and lots of potential for self discovery.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Action/Sci-fi R

Looking for a gay movie that's not about being gay? You found it! This film has absolutely Everything and I’m not kidding; from examining parent child relationships to multiverse traveling, there is something for every viewer. Some will leave emotionally wrecked, others will feel lighter and more connected to the world around them. Please, give this one a chance!

Hairspray (1988)

Comedy/Musical PG

If anything has ever been iconic, it's this movie. In this John Waters classic, Rikki Lake plays a fat girl navigating highschool, love, and racial inequality through song. Drag Queen of the Universe Divine stuns as Tracy’s (Rikki Lake’s) mother in this light hearted queer classic.

Avani's Picks:

Mulan

Historical/Drama G

If you’re looking for a movie to watch with the kids in your life, Mulan is sure to captivate the whole family. While not explicitly an LGBTQ+ film, topics of gender expression and non-conformity take center stage. Watch to enjoy the adventure or as a starting point for a bigger conversation!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Musical/Comedy R

If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up and sing along, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult classic. The Frankenstein-esque story features a slew of eccentric, queer characters living in and visiting Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle and laboratory. Be prepared to be taken on a wild ride as you enter the whimsical and raunchy world of the Transylvanians.