This film is part of Rentals
I Am Michael
James Franco stars in this provocative film about Michael Glatze, a pioneering gay rights activist who later denounced his homosexuality.
Director: Justin Kelly
Overview
In a fascinating and provocative inversion of the familiar coming-out tale, I Am Michael tells the true story of Michael Glatze, a pioneering gay rights activist who shocked the community by denouncing his homosexuality and embarking on a new life as a Christian pastor. A former San Francisco based writer and journalist, Glatze founded his own trailblazing publication ‘Young Gay America’ in 2004, offering support and giving voice to queer youth. Following years of dedication to the cause, he underwent a crisis of identity, finding himself drawn to religion and a more conservative outlook on life. In 2007, he left not just the magazine, but also his boyfriend of 10 years, to start all over again.
Following his work on films such as Milk, Howl and Interior. Leather Bar., James Franco continues to display his unwavering commitment to the portrayal of LGBT characters in US cinema, jumping at yet another chance to play gay. The fact that this time around he has a much-publicised threesome with Zachary Quinto and Charlie Carver only adds to the pleasure. Touching upon issues of homophobia, both internalised and within the wider culture, and the complexities of sexual identity, debut filmmaker Justin Kelly (a protégé of Gus Van Sant) lends grace and sincerity to his incendiary subject matter, resulting in a film that is a pleasure to watch, even at its most confrontational. I Am Michael was the opening film of BFI Flare festival 2015.
strong sex, languageRelated
Driving Mum Driving Mum
Comedy 2022 113 mins Director: Hilmar Oddsson
Jon drives his mums corpse across Iceland in Hilmar Oddsson’s darkly comic odyssey of self-discovery and acceptance, beautifully filmed in crisp black and white.
Barrio Boy Barrio Boy
Romance 2022 83 mins Director: Dennis Shinners
A Latino barber embarks on an erotically charged odyssey of self-discovery over one hot summer in Brooklyn.
Small Things Like These Small Things Like These
Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Tim Mielants
Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy delivers a stunning performance as a coal merchant who discovers horrific secrets about his local convent.
Rafiki Rafiki
Drama 2018 83 mins Director: Wanuri Kahiu
Romantic sparks fly between the daughters of two opposing politicians in Wanuri Kahiu’s neon-bright story of forbidden love in Kenya.
Who We Love Who We Love
Drama 2021 94 mins Director: Graham Cantwell
Bullied for her sexuality, Dublin schoolgirl Lily turns to her gay best friend for support in this vibrant coming-out, coming-of-age drama.
2073 2073
Documentary 2024 83 mins Director: Asif Kapadia
Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia's unsettling drama-documentary delivers a powerful commentary on the state of the world today… and tomorrow.
The Pass The Pass
Drama 2016 86 mins Director: Ben A. Williams
Russell Tovey stars as a Premier League footballer who shares a fumbled pass (of the sexual kind) with a teammate (Arinzé Kene), changing everything - both on and off the pitch.
Remembering the Man Remembering the Man
Documentary 2015 83 mins Director: Nickolas Bird and Eleanor Sharpe
Telling the true story of Timothy Conigrave and John Caleo, whose AIDS-afflicted relationship became the basis of bestselling gay memoir, Holding the Man.
Body Electric Body Electric
Drama 2017 95 mins Director: Marcello Caetano
Young factory manager Elias finds distraction in some of his fellow workers, but is he getting too close?
Boys on Film 17: Love Is the Drug Boys on Film 17: Love Is the Drug
Romance 2017 142 mins Director: Nicholas Colia, David Ullgren and 8 more
An intoxicating and entrancing selection of gay short films from around the globe.
The Ornithologist The Ornithologist
Drama 2016 118 mins Director: João Pedro Rodrigues
A lone scientist in Portugal’s Douro region embarks on an unexpected transcendental journey. Beautiful, erotic and baffling.
Palace of Fun Palace of Fun
Thriller 2016 82 mins Director: Eadward Stocks
The spirit of Patricia Highsmith comes to Brighton in this ominous psychological thriller about a young man who takes gleeful advantage of his sister's new boyfriend, upon discovering his dark secret.
A Fuller Life A Fuller Life
Documentary 2013 80 mins Director: Samantha Fuller
James Franco leads the eulogies in this profile of the larger-than-life filmmaker Samuel Fuller, who also had eventful stints as a journalist and serviceman.
JT LeRoy JT LeRoy
Drama 2018 109 mins Director: Justin Kelly
Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern's towering tall story hoaxes the world.
Ernest Cole: Lost and Found Ernest Cole: Lost and Found
Documentary 2024 107 mins Director: Raoul Peck
Raoul Peck’s sorrowful portrait of Ernest Cole, the first photographer to expose the horrors of apartheid to the world.
Seaside Special Seaside Special
Documentary 2021 93 mins Director: Jens Meurer
Jens Meurer’s bittersweet portrait of Cromer during the Brexit crossroads is also an affectionate homage to British theatrical escapism.
The Summer with Carmen The Summer with Carmen
Comedy 2023 106 mins Director: Zacharias Mavroeidis
A seductive and smart gay comedy set on a cruisy Greek island.
Driving Mum Driving Mum
Comedy 2022 113 mins Director: Hilmar Oddsson
Jon drives his mums corpse across Iceland in Hilmar Oddsson’s darkly comic odyssey of self-discovery and acceptance, beautifully filmed in crisp black and white.
William Tell William Tell
Action and Adventure 2024 133 mins Director: Nick Hamm
A peaceful huntsman is thrust into the heart of the resistance following an Austrian Empire invasion, in this gripping retelling of a timeless legend.
The Crime is Mine The Crime is Mine
Thriller 2022 103 mins Director: François Ozon
François Ozon’s witty 1930s farce about a penniless actress who finds fame while on trial for murder, featuring a riotous performance from Isabelle Huppert.