Cicada (2020 film): A-
There were many things I liked about this film about a new gay relationship and the struggles these two men have as they try to develop their intimacy. But I give it one ding for the heavy handed symbolism of the title.
I feel there's a lot of discourse among young gay men about "trauma"; what I liked about this film is that it showed how to overcome it. By facing it. Not by making excuses for it. Not by identifying with it. By facing your suffering, by telling your story to yourself, and then to those you care about, even when it is difficult. Coming out is not just about being gay, it is about everything we try to keep in the closet. All the pieces of our past we don't want to relive. All the secrets we don't want to tell. All the emotions we don't want to feel. All the people we don't want to forgive.
[I think if they'd left out the entire bit about cicadas I'd have given the film an A.]
I feel there's a lot of discourse among young gay men about "trauma"; what I liked about this film is that it showed how to overcome it. By facing it. Not by making excuses for it. Not by identifying with it. By facing your suffering, by telling your story to yourself, and then to those you care about, even when it is difficult. Coming out is not just about being gay, it is about everything we try to keep in the closet. All the pieces of our past we don't want to relive. All the secrets we don't want to tell. All the emotions we don't want to feel. All the people we don't want to forgive.
[I think if they'd left out the entire bit about cicadas I'd have given the film an A.]