FEMME (2023)

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett stars in Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s 2023 thriller FEMME.

Today’s post is by @queerblackhollywood on Instagram, a platform intended to amplify queer Black stories.

Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s debut feature FEMME (2023) is a welcome jolt to the system. This UK-based revenge thriller follows queer Black drag queen Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) as he attempts to find himself and vengeance following a demoralizing homophobic attack. George MacKay plays Preston, the brooding closeted ringleader of the group that assaults Jules. Following the attack, Jules finds himself in a gay bathhouse where he catches a glimpse of Preston who fails to recognize his victim. Jules quickly tries to get closer to his attacker, hoping to reveal truths that might ruin Preston’s life like he did his.

With such a boundary-defying premise and the inherent racial implications of the film’s casting, there is a lot that could have gone wrong with this film. However, the film’s co-leads demonstrate a strong grasp of the craft as they add a remarkable level of depth and emotionality to their roles. The filmmakers capture FEMME’s visceral and raw nature, shooting each scene with a concurrent warm glow and persistent darkness that reflect the film’s internal conflict. It is full of dichotomies: there are intense highs and lows, and there is nearly an equal amount of violence as there is palpable desire. The sex scenes are dripping with sweat, and offer a rare display of dominance, submission, and vulnerability between two queer bodies.

The film turns into a character study as we watch Jules take daring steps to regain his power, but simultaneously witness Preston emerge as a much more complex and earnest character than one might have imagined possible.

As they both begin to take off their masks, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine who is really in disguise. It’s easy to lose your footing in the complex emotionality of it all, but that’s the most profound part of the film. This film is definitely worth a watch, and it’s now available to rent via Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango.

FEMME

2023. UK.

Director: Sam H. Freeman & Ng Choon Ping

Screenplay: Sam H. Freeman & Ng Choon Ping

Based on: “Femme” by Sam H. Freeman & Ng Choon Ping

Starring: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, George MacKay, Aaron Heffernan, John McCrea, Asha Reid, Peter Clements & Charley Palmer Rothwell