Out Takes is the home of queer cinema and television on JOY 94.9 and once again we went around the world for this show, reviewing films from Ireland, Greece and Northern Wales. Never let it be said that when it comes to covering LGBTQ+ cinema that we shy away from going to all the corners of the globe to do so! Our first review was for one of the many great films featured in this year’s Irish Film Festival which is back on in Melbourne from October 22 – 25. ‘Girls & Boys’ tells the story of rugby player Jace who crosses paths with aspiring filmmaker Charlie at a college party. Both attend the same university but their worlds couldn’t be more different; Charlie is trans, her circle full of queer artists and creatives, while Jace sticks with the more strait-laced camaraderie of his rugby teammates. When the party is suddenly shut down by the police, the two find themselves wandering the streets of nighttime Dublin sharing secrets, dreams, and fears about life after college, a surprising revelation from their shared past threatens to upend their fragile connection. This beautiful and engaging story is the feature film debut from Dublin-based writer / director Donncha Gilmore who joined us to discuss the film, the all important casting of the lead two roles and much more. We then returned to the Greek Film Festival for a review of another look at one of the world-class queer titles on offer in this year’s program. ‘Bearcave’ is set in the Greek mountain village of Tirna and follows Argiro, a free spiriti farmer, and her best friend Anneta, the village “it” girl. Once Anneta admits that she’s pregnant and planning to leave town with her lame cop boyfriend. Argiro challenges Anneta to embark on an adventure to find the mystical bear cave. Before Argiro has a chance to confess her love, Anneta leaves for her new life in the city. Argiro is left broken, however, in Anneta’s new home with her clingy mother-in-law, she quickly realises her destiny lies elsewhere. Left behind in their rural hometown, Argiro loses everything so when Anneta returns and tries to win back her first love, the two friends ultimately navigate loss, love and euphoria once more. Our final review for this program took us to the northern coast of Wales for the tender and confronting ‘On The Sea’. The film begins with us meeting Jack – a mussel harvester – who expects his son to continue the family trade. Tensions arise when his son resists this expectation, and the arrival of a new deckhand further complicates relationships within the community. As personal and familial dynamics unfold, the story explores themes of identity, desire and belonging.
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