The Queer Gaze

Conrad and Joe continue their 2026 TIFF coverage with Marine Atlan's 2.5 hour feature directorial debut, La Gradiva (2026). Centering on a French school group who travel to Naples, the film is a coming of age exploration of sex, sexuality, politics, and art. Featuring a trio of leads (one of whom is explicitly queer), this was Joe's favourite film of the festival and one that lingers long after the credits.
Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~13 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion.
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Conrad and Joe wrap up our 'Gay Panic' theme with Neil Jordan's The Crying Game (1992).
The film notoriously features a "trans twist" which dominated pop culture discussions, leading to a flawed legacy (to such a degree that Conrad has never revisited it before now).
On a rewatch: this is a love story with a whole act that follows Dil's revelation and, while Fergus' reaction is initially troubling, there's much more to this film than just the reveal.
Plus: exploring the theme of identity; Joe's appreciation of Jordan's filmography; skirting around the IRA and the Troubles; and celebrating Miranda Richardson's Jude.
Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze for ~19 more minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion.
Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us
Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze.
Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com
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Conrad and Joe continue their coverage of queer texts at TIFF 2026 with an adaptation that's heavy on the queer coding: Julián (2026).
From acclaimed Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Louise Bagnall's adaptation of Jessica Love’s Julián Is a Mermaid is a beautiful, vibrant, gentle animated film with low-stakes conflict.
Plus: a coded Pride parade; speaking Spanish; and Joe's reading of Julián's father.
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Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze.
Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com
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Conrad and Joe's TIFF coverage continues with a spoiler-free look at writer/director Lukas Dhont's latest film, Coward (2026).
A love story set in the trenches of WWI, the film focuses on Belgian farmer Pierre and tailor's son Francis as they navigate their developing romance in a time when it's not acceptable to be queer.
Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another ~20 minutes of spoilery discussion.
Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us
Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze.
Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com
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Our TIFF 2026 coverage continues with Bertil Nilsson's feature directorial debut Masc (2026) which explores the intersection of race, queerness, and neurodivergence.
It's a challenging and occasionally confronting film, but a rewarding one, particularly how it employs dance/chroreography to recontextualize the main character.
Seen the film or want to hear more details? Subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/TheQueerGaze another 25 minutes of spoiler-heavy discussion.
Like the show? Rate, review and subscribe to help others find us
Follow the show on Insta and BlueSky: @thequeergaze.
Email us: thequeergazeshow@gmail.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.