This film is part of Rentals
The Ornithologist
A lone scientist in Portugal’s Douro region embarks on an unexpected transcendental journey. Beautiful, erotic and baffling.
Drama 2016 118 mins
Director: João Pedro Rodrigues
Overview
Fernando is an ornithologist on a research trip in Portugal’s Douro region. After a kayaking disaster leaves him for dead, the lone scientist is rescued by two Chinese women on a trek to Santiago de Compostela. However, nothing is quite what is seems and so begins one man’s spiritual and metaphysical journey through the sprawling, often psychedelic woodlands. To give any more away would be to divulge the glorious secrets of this singular cinematic expedition, which comes infused with a profound sense of wonder and palpable hint of magic.
Like a queer companion piece to Ciro Guerra’s Embrace of the Serpent, João Pedro Rodrigues’ pastoral meditation on landscape, ethnography and personal transcendence is a visually ravishing, profoundly hypnotic experience. But it’s also a strikingly subversive piece of work from a director with a reputation for defiant risk-taking, delighting and perplexing with its unpredictable narrative and fertile symbolism.
strong nudity, sex, violence, injury detailRelated
Drama
Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge
Biopic 1952 120 mins Director: John Huston
Toulouse Lautrec (José Ferrer) seeks solace in the drink, dance and distractions of the infamous Paris nightclub, in John Huston's exquisitely evoked biopic.
Gwen Gwen
Drama 2018 84 mins Director: William McGregor
A young girl tries desperately to protect her family from illness and dark outside forces in William McGregor's stark period horror.
The Blonde One The Blonde One
Drama 2019 111 mins Director: Marco Berger
A tentative friendship blossoms into a beautiful bromance in this erotically-charged yet disarmingly sweet-natured offering from Marco Berger (Taekwondo).
Tell It to the Bees Tell It to the Bees
Drama 2017 108 mins Director: Annabel Jankel
Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger star as two very different women who fall in love in this 1950s-set romantic drama.
A Fantastic Woman A Fantastic Woman
Drama 2017 104 mins Director: Sebastián Lelio
This invigorating and inspiring Chilean drama from Sebastián Lelio (Gloria) follows a trans woman’s quest for a little respect. Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film 2018.
The Souvenir The Souvenir
Drama 2018 120 mins Director: Joanna Hogg
Winner of Sundance 2019's Grand Jury Prize, The Souvenir is the compelling, semi-autobiographical drama from acclaimed writer-director Joanna Hogg.
LGBTQ+ Best of 2017
The Pass The Pass
Drama 2015 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.
Boys on Film 16: Possession Boys on Film 16: Possession
Anthology 2017 125 mins Director: Kai Stänicke
Golden boys, teenage lust, self-conscious dolls, chance encounters and a vengeful creature - in the latest gay shorts compilation from Peccadillo Pictures.
Lesbians Lesbians
Current affairs 1965 26 mins Director: John Phillips
What is lesbianism? What causes it? ITV's This Week attempts to demystify lesbian sexuality.
Remembering the Man Remembering the Man
Documentary 2015 83 mins Director: Nickolas Bird
Telling the true story of Timothy Conigrave and John Caleo, whose AIDS-afflicted relationship became the basis of bestselling gay memoir, Holding the Man.
Real Boy Real Boy
2016 72 mins Director: Shaleece Haas
A 19-year-old trans man navigates family, friendships, and the challenges of young adulthood.
I Am Michael I Am Michael
Drama 102 mins Director: Justin Kelly
James Franco stars in this provocative film about Michael Glatze, a pioneering gay rights activist who later denounced his homosexuality.
Featuring Paul Hamy
Disorder Disorder
Thriller 2015 98 mins Director: Alice Winocour
A broken soldier guards a tycoon's family in this involving thriller with hints of Taxi Driver, starring Matthias Schoenaerts and Diane Kuger.
New
Jonathan Agassi Saved My Life Jonathan Agassi Saved My Life
Documentary 2018 106 mins Director: Tomer Heymann
The private life of a renowned gay porn legend is laid bare in this intimate and insightful documentary.
The Dead Don't Die The Dead Don't Die
Horror 2019 104 mins Director: Jim Jarmusch
Bill Murray, Adam Driver and Tilda Swinton lead this star-studded, bonkers addition to the zombie canon from cult director Jim Jarmusch.
Moulin Rouge Moulin Rouge
Biopic 1952 120 mins Director: John Huston
Toulouse Lautrec (José Ferrer) seeks solace in the drink, dance and distractions of the infamous Paris nightclub, in John Huston's exquisitely evoked biopic.
Gwen Gwen
Drama 2018 84 mins Director: William McGregor
A young girl tries desperately to protect her family from illness and dark outside forces in William McGregor's stark period horror.
The Blonde One The Blonde One
Drama 2019 111 mins Director: Marco Berger
A tentative friendship blossoms into a beautiful bromance in this erotically-charged yet disarmingly sweet-natured offering from Marco Berger (Taekwondo).
Diego Maradona Diego Maradona
Documentary 2019 124 mins Director: Asif Kapadia
The supreme football superstar is the latest subject for acclaimed filmmaker Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna), as he deftly explores the complicated dynamic between Diego the man and Maradona the icon.