Let me preface this by saying that coming up with this list was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It was not a simple case of looking through the coming soon list on IMDb or googling the most anticipated films of 2017. That being said, this list is most definitely incomplete and there may be many more LGBTQ films coming out this year. The following are a list of films coming out or coming to theaters in 2017 and contain LGBTQ characters.
1. Lovesong (dir. So-yong Kim) - February 17
This film, starring Jena Malone and Riley Keough, follows two good friends during an impromptu road trip and what happens when one of them falls for the other, who's getting married. What I like about this movie is that it seems to be a little more lighthearted than most LGBTQ films. Of course, we have the token gay angst with the lesbian pining for her straight best friend, but I'm hopeful that it will end happily.
2. As You Are (dir. Miles Joris-Peyrafitte) - February 24
"As You Are" is set in the 1990s and chronicles the stories of three teenagers through a police investigation. Two of the main characters, Jack and Mark, form an intense bond throughout the film. In addition, this film stars Amandla Stenberg, who has been outspoken about identifying as nonbinary and using "they/them" pronouns. Since this film is categorized as dark and gritty I can't say whether it will end happily or not, but it definitely seems promising.
3. Below Her Mouth (dir. April Mullen) - February 10
As this film is about two women who start a passionate and intense affair, and is highly sexually charged, I was hesitant to put this on the list because these kinds of movies often fetishize romantic relationships between women. But after doing some research on the film I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. For one thing, this movie is directed and written by two women, so hopefully it will not cross the line into fetishization. In addition, according to IMDb, the film used a crew of just women. I am definitely looking forward to this one.
4. Beach Rats (dir. Eliza Hittman) - January 23 (Sundance Film Festival)
I will admit that I do not know much about this film, and there isn't a lot online about it, except for what was covered for Sundance. It is about a young man who faces pressures from his mother to find a girlfriend and begins to flirt with men online during the summer. The summary also says that he does start a relationship with a woman, making this a film about a bisexual or pansexual character. Because I do not know much about this movie I can't say that it will portray LGBTQ identities in a positive light, or if it will erase his bisexuality or pansexuality, but we can hope for the best.
5. Carmilla (dir. Spencer Maybee) - Fall
I cannot say enough about how amazing "Carmilla" is! Based on the novella of the same name by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, the YouTube series "Carmilla" tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a vampire while at college. While the novella is dark and twisted the show is more quirky and comedic. After three successful seasons, they have finally announced a movie with the same characters from the show. What's so great about "Carmilla" is that it is a show about LGBTQ women for LGBTQ women, and it's funny and silly, rather than dark and dramatic.
6. Call Me By Your Name (dir. Luca Guadagnino) - January 22 (Sundance Film Festival)
This is a story about a love affair between a teen boy and another man during summer in Italy. Again, there is not a lot known about this movie since it will be premiering at Sundance later this month, but based on what I've found out about the book (spoiler alert) I can't promise a necessarily happy ending. I am excited, at least, about indie artist Sufjan Stevens featuring on the soundtrack, which was how I found out about this movie. However, I will give some warning as it appears to be about an underage boy getting involved with an adult.
7. Princess Cyd (dir. Stephen Cone) - Unknown Release
As this film was just announced in August 2016 there's no release date or a lot of information. What interested me in this film, though, was the fact that it was about two teenage girls falling in love, which is refreshing to see as most LGBTQ movies about women are about intense and passionate affairs, and this seems to be a little more innocent in comparison. This movie is written and directed by a man, so be wary of fetishization. But because it is about teenagers I hope that won't be a problem.
8. Wonder Woman (dir. Patty Jenkins) - June 2
Although Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) will have a male love interest in this movie we can't erase her identity as a bisexual woman. For those of you who don't know, this film will chronicle the adventures of Wonder Woman during WWII. Regardless of Wonder Woman's sexuality, this will be the first time Wonder Woman is coming to the big screen, which is exciting all in its own.
These are all the LGBTQ movies coming in 2017 that I know about, but I am very excited for what's coming. Hopefully, there will be more announced or if there are any that I missed feel free to let me know!
