Gareth’s Picks

God’s Own Country (2017) 

This is a very well made film that shows the intersection of immigration and queer love.  Josh O’Connor early in his career plays a sheep herder in Yorkshire that hides his true identity from his overbearing father, masterfully played by the always brilliant Ian Hart.  This changes when a Romanian immigrant worker shows up and they start an affair.  Directed and written with precision and grace by Francis Lee.

Maurice (1987)

A Merchant/Ivory classic adaptation of the E.M. Forster novel, it stars Hugh Grant in his first major role.  It is set in pre-WWII England when the consequences of a gay relationship was imprisonment.  James Ivory and Ismail Merchant were one of the world’s most iconic queer couples, partners in life and art.  Hugh Grant and James Wilby are moving in the tale of Fosterian love and loss.

Craig’s Picks

Wildcat (2023)

Ethan Hawke directs his daughter Maya Hawke with Laura Linney and Steve Zahn about Flannery O’Connor coming home to Georgia in 1950 to deal with her Lupus diagnosis. The story is intercut with vignettes of Flannery’s short stories…played by the act actors. It’s great, especially if you are already a fan of O’Connor’s work.

Playing this week at Sidewalk get tickets here:

Wise Blood (1979)

John Huston directed this adaptation of Flannery O’Connors novel of the same name. Shot on location in Macon, GA near the writers hometown. Stars Brad Dourif as Hazel Motes, an atheist who starts the Church of Christ Without Christ. With Harry Dean Stanton and Ned Beatty and the director himself as the grandfather. It’s southern dark comedy that almost doesn’t work,  but it’s worth a watch…especially after seeing Wildcat.

Available on Criterion, Max and other streaming services