Young Hearts Run Free – Outfest LA 2019

By starrymag | August 27, 2019

By: Sam Frost

 

 

“Young Hearts Run Free” is an important segment at Outfest LA of short films dedicated to young queer stories. It honors firsts, beginnings and the heartache young people can feel. It’s a call to action for acceptance, for better education and for love.

 

DENIM

 

Denim begins by Micayla’s (Jazz Jennings) voiceover saying that she has ended up on the sex offender list. This opener immediately grabs attention while also acknowledging that something screwed up is about to happen. She’s only a teenager and we see her get ready for school, talk about her usual routine and go about her everyday life. There’s a beautiful sequence of her riding her bike to school, talking about how she likes to pretend she’s in a music video. This is a charming comment. We also get to see her all dressed up, wearing colored makeup, truly thriving. It’s a deep contrast to the casual clothes and quiet attitude that she shows at school.

 

After the school’s hunk tries to flirt with Micayla, her ex-friend decides to snap a picture of her in a bathroom stall and use it to out her as transgender. The mean girl runs through the hallway showing their classmates. After she realizes what’s happening, Micayla makes a run for it. She hops the fence as two other students stand outside smoking. She asks if they have a car and soon their off on an adventure. Micayla tells the other kids what happened and they welcome her into their little LGBT+ family.

 

The sense of impending danger leads right into actual danger and causes the film to be extremely intense while also being a story about friendship and found family. The movie by co-directors Daryen Ru and Lucas McGowen is both warm and crushing and makes a huge statement about the lack of acceptance that children and adults are forced to deal with every day.

 

 

LOCKDOWN

 

In Lockdown we see Marie (Allegra Lequizamo), a young girl in gym class, stage a very intense plan to ensure some alone time with her friend. The film begins with Marie and her friend Lena (Sarah Lynne) laughing and taking selfies while lying in bed. The camera goes off, implying that something is happening between the girls. We then cut to school. Marie anxiously awaits Leba’s arrival only to be ignored. Lena is nervous, obviously uncomfortable with what happened.

 

Soon we see Marie ask to go to the bathroom. She finds a hidden cell phone and stages a shooter threat. Everyone is rushed into lockdown and Marie positions herself next to Lena. While sitting in the dark and quiet Marie starts to run her fingers up and down Lena’s leg, slowly moving further and further up.

 

Directed by Logan George and Celine Held, the film Lockdown draws up a lot of questions about young sexuality. When young people are first starting to experiment, what’s right and what’s wrong? What’s too much? It’s hard to watch on both ends, but this film raises awareness to the intricacies of young sexuality.

 

 

MEG’S FIRST DANCE

 

Meg’s First Dance is a close look into blooming sexuality. It shows the different rates at which teenagers start to develop both physically and mentally. In Ada Gorn’s film we watch as Meg (Paige McGhee) is skeptical about the idea of going out. We then follow her as she starts to dance, let loose and grow an attraction to an older woman.

 

Meg develops a fixation on this woman and it’s obvious that it’s irritating her friend, Phoebe (Zurah Taylor). The tension grows until finally they have their moment.

 

This film is a beautiful look at the beginnings of young love and the ways in which teenagers learn to express themselves. It’s true and honest to the ways in which jealously can sometimes play a huge role in these experiences, especially for those that are still figuring out their sexuality.

 

 

SEA FOAM

 

In Sea Foam we the way the workings of people’s minds can be altered by art around them. Finding stories that inspire and change you is important. This film is a quick glance into the world of Ana (Greta Cervantes), a young girl that’s very shy. This shyness tends to hold her back, to keep her from putting herself out there.

 

Director Luis Mariano Garcia’s movie Sea Foam shows that finding a piece of artwork that represents how you’re feeling can help you more forward. We see Ana start to feel more comfortable and confident through the words and it leaves viewers with a message that we can all find our own versions of an escape.

 

 

TADPOLE

 

Tadpole is a look into the lives of three boys. We watch as one (Shaun Brockington) is getting ready for a sleepover, nervous but excited, and see his disappointment when his friend (Mateo Ferro) brings along another boy (Jackson Anderson). The three of them play videos games and joke around then find alcohol.

 

They boys begin taking pulls and laughing at the faces they’re each making. Eventually, it’s time for bed and the main boy and his friend end up lying next to each other. There’s a small moment where they let themselves touch hands and then the film follows the boys throughout the next day.

 

Tadpole a film about friendship and acceptance, showing that these things are real. Director Jovan James shows that these young men are normal and kids need to feel free to express all of themselves. It shows that happiness that can be found.

 

 

TALENT NIGHT AT AUSCHWITZ, BUNK FIVE

 

The cinematography in this film is amazing. Every moment is beautiful. We watch as a young boy (Max Bartos) creates a whole musical in his head. He’s explaining it to his father (David Winning) in great detail, even though his father is trying to get him to stop. He can’t be calmed down. He’s too excited. He’s planning and planning.

 

As the camera bans out and the radio plays, we realize the two of them are stuck in a bunker. This musical is a coping mechanism and we see that it’s giving a greater look into the child’s mind. Director Max Rifkind-Barron shows how the young boy is unable to deal with his reality and chooses to hyper-fixate on something he can take control of. This is unique and captivating way of dealing with trauma and human reactions.

 

 

WELCOME TO THE BALL

 

This film is a discovery of friendship and acceptance. It’s young hearts filled with love. We see a young child (Nemis Quinn) diligently practicing sign language with their mother (Stephanie C. Kernisan). They’re dressed expressively with pink hair and a giant smile. They are headed to the park where they find another child (Alexander Reno-Gaus) playing alone and surprised and happy to be able to communicate.

 

Soon, the first child offers an invitation to come play at their house and the new friend comes along. Before long they’re immersed in a dance performance, dressed in puffy skirts and lipstick. They spin and smile and the mother is there to offer gentle encouragement.

 

This film by director Adam Vincent Wright is a beautiful look at expression and the way children can love, the way they can smile and laugh and bond together so quickly without any judgement. It’s a reminder to be kind.

 

 

WONDER

 

Wonder is a heartwarming look at a father/son relationship. We first see Sammy (Benji Siegel) as he walks down the street with his friends. The others are being rowdy, shouting and using unfiltered language. They see a drag queen (Jamyl Dobson) and, while his friends make crude comments, Sammy seems to have something else on his mind.

 

Soon he’s at home, pulling out craft supplies. He is then looking at himself in the mirror as he wears his handmade Wonder Woman costume. He’s posing in the mirror and having a good time until he hears his dad (Gabriel Furman) get home. He struggles to put himself out of his new costume and, eventually, gives in and cuts the fabric. His dad walks into the room and finds him naked with a magazine open to a Wonder Woman page. He starts teasing his son about pleasuring himself. Sammy goes along with it because he knows that is something expected, something his father won’t be upset about.

 

Director Javier Malina’s movie is an intimate look at family life and the ways our parents’ reactions can effect us. It’s the story of a young boy searching for acceptance and support that follows Sammy’s journey to peace.