Being an advocate of better queer representation in media, I was immediately drawn to the Iris Prize film festival. Not only is it a space where queer and trans people can see themselves represented on the screen, it acts as an environment in which you can meet other lovers of queer film. The four films, Teth, Bender Defenders, Fistior, and Where are all the Gay Superheroes? all shone brightly in different ways.
They touched on themes like acceptance, queer/trans representation, self-love and even Welsh Folklore through the mediums of comedy, documentary, horror and action respectively. Teth—my favourite film of the night—is a Welsh-spoken film that focuses on the characters of Ioan, a trans man who just had top surgery, and his Dad, who was struggling to find the right way to communicate with his son. After he removes the plasters that protect his nipples, one his them falls off, after which Ioan’s dog decides to eat it (as well as running away with the plastic penis he has bought for himself ).
After a heart-to-heart conversation with his father, an image of a trans male version of Jesus and a punch to the face of a transphobic vicar, Teth ends with Ioan and his dad burning his binder—marking an end to their previously strenuous relationship. This film was the best of the night and had the entire theatre laughing. It was meaningful, thought-provoking and really funny—everything I like in a film—and was a brilliant way to start the night.
The second film, a documentary highlighting the martial arts club Bender Defenders, was a brilliant way to highlight the importance of sport for queer and trans people. The feeling of community that director Ira Putilova conveyed and the safe space that was created undoubtedly reshapes that way many queer and trans people feel about sport. Those talking throughout the film clearly loved the environment they were in and felt safe opening up about their positive and negative experiences in sport.
At a time where the existence of trans people seems to constantly being questioned, especially their place in sport, the film was a reminder of the strength of the queer community and its ability to make a safe space for everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender identity. Film three was a Welsh language horror film called Fisitor which combined the themes of grief and loneliness with Welsh folklore. After the death of his husband from illness, Ioan is stalked by a frightening creature who wants to prey on his grief-stricken state.
Being entirely in black and white, the film utilised the contrast of the two to create tension and uneasiness as the creature’s white animal skull mask emerges from the shadows. The film plays really well with light and shadow—assisted by the black and white filming—and this makes the film both gripping and scary. As someone who doesn’t particularly like films in a horror genre, I thought the film was really engaging and had a really interesting depiction of grief through use of the supernatural.
We come to my most anticipated film of the night Where are all the Gay superheroes? As a lover of all things Marvel and DC, and a lover of all things queer, this film was the one I was looking forward to the most. Set in a singular location, two male superheroes fight a killer robot, and discuss whether there can ever be and out-and-proud gay superhero.
With a tragic ending and a thought-provoking message, the film certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. Perhaps my obsession with the superhero genre meant I was assuming the short film would have more action and special effects—an assumption that left me pleasantly surprised after watching the film. The overall message of the film left me thinking, potentially more than the other films did.
Will there ever be a day where queerness in a superhero is seen as a strength, not a weakness? The film’s question about masculinity was echoed by Tom Paul Martin, the director, in a Q&A afterwards, where he suggested that the masculinity associated with the superhero genre, currently, means that a gay superhero simply won’t be as profitable. The opening night of the Iris Prize left me thinking.
My mind was full of questions about acceptance, public perception of queerness and transness, community and self-love—questions I’m sure will remain with me for a long time. The night was thought-provoking, moving and so queer, and it’s a night unlike any other.