GagaOOLala is a Taiwan-based streaming service which aims to bring together queer stories of all genres from around the world. As the first LGBT-focused media platform in Asia, GagaOOLala curates feature films, shorts, documentaries and series from the past few years, as well as producing its own original content. This month, the platform has partnered with the British Council to show the ‘Five Film for Freedom’ short film selection, which also premiered at this year’s BFI Flare LGBT+ Film Festival. In line with the partnership, this month’s film bulletin is dedicated to the world of queer short cinema!
Our first pick forms part of the ‘Five Films for Freedom’ series itself. South Korean short film Butch Up! follows Mi-hae, a butch music artist who finds themselves so heartbroken that they are unable to keep singing. They decide to leave their ‘soft boy’ romantic folk singer persona behind as they are kicked out of the band, finding solace in a new music scene, that of riot grrl-inspired punk. Part camp comedy, part musical, the film captures how heartbreak can change the art you consume and produce. It also stars Choi Hae-jun, who also appeared in the award-winning queer film PEAFOWL which received its international premiere at this year’s BFI Flare.
