Rebecca Rosén

Taking part in New York City's Pride March, Leo Baker is shown from behind, lightly turning his head to smile towards someone outside the frame. He's wearing a white tank top, a black harness and a short haircut. Out of focus in front of him is many people and buildings seen, as well as several rainbow flags.

REVIEW: ‘Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story’ (2022) Is Intimate and Powerful All at Once

Caught between the pain of being celebrated under a persona that solely elicits pain and being terrified of what might transpire with honesty, Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story ultimately illustrates how much richer the world is when people are free to be who they are.

Still from the fictional sitcom "He's Gay, She's Half-Jewish." Berlant is seen to the left, wearing heels, a skit with printed covers from fashion magazines and a black sleeveless top. She has neutral yet slightly annoyed facial expression, as she is caught in colourful christmas lights that are twirled around her body, making her arms unmovable. Early, wearing black boots, light blue jeans and a black t-shirt with printed abs on it, is caught in movement, as he looks at her and laughs with a surprised expression on his face.

‘Would It Kill You to Laugh?’ (2022) Leaves Viewers Both Satisfied and Hungry for More

With possibly the best title within its category, the comedy special ‘Would It Kill You to Laugh?’ allows Kate Berlant and John Early to shine doing what they do best ⁠— all while simultaneously tempting viewers about what they might create in the future.

A still showing Debra (Honig) in the foreground wearing a white headband, a white sleeveless dress and white gloves. She's rubbing her hands together with a smug look on her face, as if she's a villainous character coming up with a plan. Behind her, inside of a boxing ring, are the other two Debras out of focus. They're both wearing white, embracing each other as they're making out - something that is clearly in relation to Honig's Debra and her plan.

‘Three Busy Debras’ and Its Exhilarating Celebration of the Absurd

An analysis of the nuanced layers found throughout ‘Three Busy Debras,’ a comedy series where the surreal feels grounded and the ugly is hiding out in the (whimsical) open.

Close-up of Oski's face as he's on the floor doing his breathing exercises. Underneath him is a red carpet. His eyes are closed and he's concentrated.

REVIEW: ‘Oski’ (2022) Is an Intimate Portrayal of One of Skateboarding’s Finest

“Besides a genuine representation of skateboarding, ‘Oski’ is a heartfelt portrayal of a young man trying to find his path in life.”

Mike (Mark Duplass) and Hannah (Greta Gerwig) as they're next to each other. Captured from the waist up, Mike is wearing casual clothing, including a dark marine t-shirt, while Hannah is wearing a green triangle bikini halterneck top. Mike is lightly leaning towards Hannah, while Hannah's hands are resting casually on her stomach. They're both looking deeply into each other's eyes. Hannah is wearing a pair of coloured (pink and black with white straps) swimming goggles over her eyes and nose, and Mike is wearing a similar pair (in light neon green with transparent straps) on top of his forehead.

Tolerate the Uncertainty: Intimacy, Human Connections and Everyday Messiness as Found in Joe Swanberg’s Work

To celebrate Joe Swanberg’s 40th birthday, we look back at his career to discuss the fearless and original ways he explores intimacy, communication, and the general strengths and weaknesses of human behaviour.

Image is from the film 'Always Shine' (2016). The film still shows Anna, now performing as Beth, in the middle of the frame. She’s looking right into the camera with her head tilted to one side, almost like she knows viewers are watching her performance. She’s biting on her thumb, reminiscent of an innocent child as she’s trying to mimic the body language of Beth. She looks nervous and timid. Anna is wearing Beth’s button-up romper suit with a flower pattern, with a light brown belt in the waist. In the background is a long desk visible – filled with miscellaneous objects including a globe and a cowboy hat all in a row – along with a big window showing the green nature of Big Sur.

Five Years Later: Sophia Takal’s ‘Always Shine’ (2016) and the Horror of Being Trapped in Performance

While film history contains many portrayals of backstabbing women on the verge of a breakdown, Always Shine offers the idea that the terrifying thing isn’t women themselves but rather the limiting roles society provides for them (along with the disastrous results they lead to).

Image of director Lynn Shelton, who is sat on a porch outside of a house.

Finding Beauty in Humanity: Remembering Lynn Shelton Through Her Work

Throughout her career, Lynn Shelton created a safe space for characters (and viewers alike) to feel like they belong – no matter how awkward, complex or messy they are.

The image is from the short film Miller and Son. The image shows the man character Ryan, dancing in a club which is shrouded by purple light.

PRIDE 2020: “It makes me feel free, or some shit” – Coming Out of Hiding as Portrayed in ‘Slap’ (2014) and ‘Miller & Son’ (2019)

Set within masculine environments, Slap and Miller & Son provides necessary criticism of societies’ narrow expectations of gender and how hurtful these expectations are for anyone transgressing them.