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Stop! That! Train!

By Golu
Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...
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A Cidade do Futuro (Portuguese) [The City Of The Future]

By Golu
This feels like a very indie sort of film trying to make. bold new statement. There ia bit of historical, political context as well, that I important to understand to appreciate this film, which is clearly explained here. Billed as the ‘city of the future,’ Serra do Ramalho was constructed in the 1970s in order to rehouse thousands of citizens that had been forcefully relocated. The setting becomes an important backdrop for this elegant, gentle film which is full of hope for a new generation building their own family of the future.

We meet our protagonists. Milla is a young girl, a school dance teacher who is bisexual (we are old later and it's being a girl). Her colleague Gilmar is a god friend of her, but it tuns out he is gay and is in a relationship with younger boy Igor. It feels everyone around knows about this but also still doesn't really acknowledge. Milla gets pregnant by Gilmar who promises to look after her. A hurt Igor visits Milla who assures her that the baby will belong to all three of them. They don't get support from family a the trio are determined to break away and form their own nontraditional family, defying the definitions that society has attempted to impose on them. As they prepare for the birth of their child, the three contemplate their intertwining relationships. Igor starts looking for a job, while he is also a bit jealous that Milla and Gilmar have this baby in common but soon realizes that his love for Gilmar is stronger. The film ends on a positive note that there is a ‘new’ possible way of establishing loving relationships, pointing to non-traditional family models.

The one thing that stands out about. The film is its lyrical quality. Nothing here is over exaggerated or dramatized just for the sake of it. The conflict between traditionalists and those who push social boundaries will resonate with many people. The makers focus on the love and bonding, instead of resorting to the more dramatic alternatives. Perhaps this is not the ideal setting for a usual gay love triangle to unfold. Not only is the climate dry and unpleasant, but also locals are very conservative and chauvinistic. I am not aware of how polyamorous relationships work and to be honest, I don't think a lot of films have tackled this subject. It was also not very clear whether Milla and Gilmar were ever in a romantic relationship or this just happened!! So, what this makes me feel if the idea was not to focus on an individual's sexuality but more on the modern new world of polyamory, the practice of, or desire for, intimate relationships where individuals may have more than one partner, with the knowledge and consent of all partners. Either way, besides its really slow place, I connected with the subject. The three main characters do an incredible job of portraying their situation and pain. Gilmar seems to be the one who is least affected by either family or work but is there present for both Igor and Milla. The other two need to work on their personal issues but together this trio is ready to bring this child into a very loving world of three parents. A new refreshing story for me. (6/10)
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