Faraz Arif Ansari is a queer, independent filmmaker from Mumbai, India. His first film, Sisak – India’s First Silent LGBTQ Love Story has become the first ever Indian film to have won 59 International Awards. We first heard of Sisak back in February of 2017 and have been watching it grow in accolades, acceptance, and geography. We were in Boise, Idaho in October of last year when we turned on our televisions in our room to see Sisak in its entirety (Hotel Film Series Shares Thought Provoking LGBT Short Films).
The Filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari has been energized by the success of Sisak and now he is on to his next project:
In my journey to mainstream queer cinema, I have made my next film, titled Sheer Qorma — A tale of love and acceptance on queer, Muslim women of colour. The film stars some of the biggest names from the Indian film industry — Shabana Azmi (Multiple National Award Winning Actor), Divya Dutta (National Award Winner) & Swara Bhasker. With Sheer Qorma, the plan is to celebrate and put the limelight on the most ignored community through world cinema — queer, Muslim women of colour.
Short films sometimes struggle to achieve traction when moviegoers are used to major character building, plot twists, and well planned climaxes formed into a 2 hour meal. Short films can have just as much an impact on movie goers all in a compact 2 to 40 minute pill.
I will always remember watching Sisak in Boise, Idaho. It was more of an emotional and cultural wow moment than the award winning Moonlight was for me and Love, Simon, an overall good movie, was still somewhat of a let down. If we want to see raw and fresh takes and representations of our LGBT community, I think we need to look to independent film producers for they are not trying to please anyone fore funding or meeting certain Hollywood guidelines.
What have been the most impactful LGBT movies, short or long, that you remember and feel really added to our community? ScreenRant.com has this Top 10 list to consider:
Right off the bat, I’ll say there are way more than 10 best LGBTQ movies to watch. Society has made leaps and bounds when it comes to recognizing the LGBTQ community as human beings, which has brought on more entertainment depicting so.
10. But I’m A Cheerleader
9. The Handmaiden
8. Rafiki
7. Milk
6. C.R.A.Z.Y.
5. Moonlight
4. Love, Simon
3. Circumstances
2. As You Are
1. The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Which ones have you seen? Do you agree? Have one to add?
The trailer for Sheer Qorma is not out yet, but will premier in early 2020. For now, we will share with you the short synopsis and the first poster of the film that has been released. If it is anything like Sisak, we are sure we will be pleased.
Sheer Qorma | Short Synopsis:
Sheer Qorma is a gentle, heart-rending narrative of the longing for love and acceptance, felt by queer children in their parental homes that plays out through delicate story-telling, told through characters of courageous queer women of color. With multiple themes of ethnicity and culture at play within the narrative, the story sensitively confronts the harsh reality of disrupted family dynamics through a sensitive, universal tale.
The film Sheer Qorma is a story of belonging and acceptance, identity and family, and how it comes together under one roof, as resilient women choose to embrace love that exists beyond their personal beliefs and social moralities in the hopes of a brighter future.
Written & Directed by Faraz Arif Ansari, the film stars Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta & Swara Bhasker in leading roles with the supporting cast of Kalyanee Mulay, Priya Malik, Jitin Gulati & Shivali Chhetri. Produced by Marijke de Souza.
This is definitely a good list, but I have only seen three of these films. I would consider A Very Natural Thing, The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, Nine Dead Gay Guys, Taxi Zum Klo, Wrangler, Taking Woodstock and That Man: Peter Berlin some of the best gay films of all time.
I’d add Valley of the Dolls, the Nureyev Valentino and Paris is Burning as well.
I saw Sisak at an even at SOAS in London in 2018. This short movie had the biggest impact on me personally. Yes, I do love full movies, like Love, Simon, LOEV, etc. But not always they go so deep into emotions like short movies. It’s like concentrate.Or like a shot of a strong spirit versus long drink. Sisak is so realistic unlike all those different plots that are created to entertain us for 2 hours. No surprise it got so many awards. Well done!