IFFO CONTINUES “THE FEMALE GAZE” SCREENINGS WITH QUEER TEEN FILM SWEETHEART
Press Release by Tish Chambers
Posted by Iliana Cosme-Brooks
The International Film Festival of Ottawa (IFFO) continues its “The Female Gaze” screening series on Thursday, August 5th at 7pm ET with a screening of Sweetheart (directed and written by Marley Morrison, 2021, UK), about a socially awkward lesbian teenager who falls in love for the first time while on holiday with her family. The screening also includes a talk hosted by IFFO programmer Tish Chambers, joined by Ottawa filmmaker Jed Nabwangu. The film and talk will be available to watch across Canada for 48 hours (ending August 7th at 7:00pm ET).
Sweetheart started its festival run this year and has already been awarded the Audience Award at Glasgow Film Festival and Best First Feature at Inside Out LGBT Film Festival. The film is from the perspective of 17-year-old AJ’s perspective as she reluctantly joins her family on summer holiday. She’s determined to have the worst week of her life, but her plan comes unstuck when she meets the carefree lifeguard, Isla, who sees through AJ’s uniquely adopted persona. With echoes of My So-Called Life and Juno, Sweetheart is a quirky, nostalgic coming of age tale for a new generation.
Tish Chambers, programmer of “The Female Gaze” says, “I want to show diversity within this program of films by women, which is why I’m so glad our second screening is a film about a queer youth and that Jed joined me for the talk. Films about teens don’t always connect with non-teen audiences, but Marley Morrison’s story of AJ and her family feels so true and honest, it’s hard not to be absorbed in her world and feel her angst.”
“I’m thrilled that Jed joined me to talk about the film and teen angst” Tish continues, “She’s so knowledgeable and well-spoken about film and always brings up themes that I hadn’t considered when we speak about film and media. I think audiences of all ages will connect with Sweetheart and learn something from our talk.”
Diving into the topics of teen representation, identity, queerness, and, of course, the female gaze, Tish and Jed talk through how teen girls’ angst is never just about the friends, the boys, or clothes; they’re more attuned to the world at large than we give them credit for.
Learn more about the festival and get tickets here. Connect with Tish by visiting her profile.