Incluvie Movie Highlights Incluvie

Roundtable Discussion About Representation For Queer Stories In Media

For Pride Month, some of the Incluvie movie critics sat down to talk about a variety of topics concerning on-screen queer visibility in movies and television. So many fantastic movie rec gems hidden in this video!

We examine the storied cinematic and theatrical history of drag, from Shakespearean times all the way to the influence the art form had on Melissa McCarthy's portrayal of Ursula in the recent live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. We discuss how gender-bending storylines serve a layered purpose - films like Mrs. Doubtfire use drag as a vehicle for comedy, while films like Yentl provide important nuanced visibility for those questioning their gender identity. We highlight the uptick in queer creatives telling their own stories, hailing Elliot Page and Mae Martin as shining examples of artists who have taken agency over how their journey is explored on-screen. And, last but not least, we laud the positive ways in which media directed to kids and teens has embraced LGBTQIA+ characters and storylines in recent years.

Fun fact: The original Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen was completely queer coded, in addition to Ursula and drag. The famous author was gay, and the Little Mermaid living in the water represented how he was separated from a whole community, and becoming human represented transformation.

Movie Critics: Bianca, Andrew, Bonnie, Atreyo, Josh, MG
Production: MG
More from Incluvie: https://www.incluvie.com

From all of us at Incluvie, we want to wish you Happy Pride! We hope this conversation provides some insight and lets you know that you are valid :)

The Incluvie team suggest new and upcoming films like Polite Society and Joy Ride, favorites like The Half or It, Crush, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Studio Ghibli, groundbreaking stars Ali Wong, Chloe Zhao, and Mindy Kaling, the intersection between Asian, female, and queer stories, plus the stylistic difference between films from Asia vs Asian American stories! We also delve into the history of harmful representation and yellow face that is still happening, plus what it means to be humanized vs exoticized in stories.

For Women’s History Month, the Incluvie movie critics teamed up to discuss the state of women in film!

Team Favorites
- Greta Gerwig and the upcoming Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie. Ladybird, the new Little Women
- Children's movie Ivy and Bean, The Ghost Who Had to Go, starring two little girls of opposite personalities and different racial backgrounds
- Ava Duvernay and her more serious documentaries. Issa Rae and her hilarious and home-made web series Awkward Black Girl, to Rap Shit which has elements from ABG, and Insecure! Viola Davis in acting and making her foray into directing too
- Jane Campion who won best screenplay for The Piano in 1994, and best director for Power of the Dog in 2022. As well as Kathryn Bigelow with Point Break, The Hurt Locker, and Detroit, which was a great film that got overlooked during Oscar season. (And Chloe Zhao of course! Who was not mentioned here)
- Elizabeth Banks as a director with the new Charlie’s Angels and Cocaine Bear. Stand-up comedy with Ali Wong and her Baby Cobra on Netflix. Taylor Tomlinson, and Hannah Gadsby Douglas is coming back too – so keep an eye out!

We have strong women in film like Katniss Everdeen and Ripley from Aliens, but we also have the "manic pixie dream girls" like Blonde. Phenomenons like "light skinned mermaids and dark skinned warriors" for women in film. From women fighting authentically in combat to how male directors write about "booby boobs bouncing" and nudity, and the damsels in distress displaying their own agency.

There's a lot to get into, including Abbott Elementary, Catherine Reitman, Workin’ Moms, Carrie Fisher, The Hangover, Charmed, The Golden Girls, Blonde, Anything’s Possible, Euphoria, Heartstopper. High caliber suggestions on movies and classics to watch :)

Critics: Melissa, Andrew, Bonnie, Josh, MG, and Atreyo
Production: Cathy, Warren, MG
Thumbnail: MG

Incluvie Roundtable Discussion about how the Oscar nominees reflect success and wins, as well as the ways in which the film industry still needs to evolve  The Incluvie movie critics explore the relevant and historical context surrounding the Academy Awards - the politics, controversy, and culture. We also discuss what makes a film "Oscar Worthy," and how the ongoing war between fans and critics affects the entertainment industry, as well as how Incluvie and creators are working to bridge that gap.  Plus we dive into some individual Oscar nominated films: the significance of Chinese culture in America right now as it relates to Turning Red; different takes on Tár and the specific selection of the film for cancel culture; how Black Panther was perceived vs The Woman King, and of course... the universality and genius of Everything Everywhere All at Once! There are shout outs to She Said, Women Talking and many more great films.

Movie Critics: Atreyo, Dana, Josh, Sarah, Andrew, MG and Bonnie 

Production: Warren, Cathy, MG 

Thumbnail: MG  More from Incluvie: https://www.incluvie.com

The Incluvie Roundtable Discussion for Black History Month: Examining the Current State of Black Film and Our Hopes for its Future 

The Incluvie movie critics sit down to talk about some of their favorite Black films, highlighting the triumphs that have been made, while also acknowledging the systemic racism that still permeates the industry today. Ultimately, this conversation illustrates why it is so important to have a spectrum of films that shows both the joys and the struggles that exist within the Black experience. It's about allowing as many people as possible the chance to share their story, to give as many viewpoints to the screen as we can.

Some topics we cover:


How Jordan Peele's recent work has helped give a new lens to horror and Black film
The way in which colorism creates barriers and stigmas
bell hooks and the Oppositional Gaze
Why 'The Help' is problematic

Don't be surprised if you come away from this discussion with a desire to give 'Catwoman' another shot ;) And find dozens of great movie references to add to your watchlist!

Movie Critics: Andrew, Dana, MG, Atreyo, Semoy, A.J., Bonnie, and Warren

Production: Warren, Cathy, MG 

Thumbnail: MG  

More from Incluvie: https://www.incluvie.com

This episode is viewable on YouTube

Welcome to a special episode of the Incluvie Movie Highlights. This summer we held the 2022 Incluvie Short Film Festival. The film festival discovers and brings to light some outstanding short films starring main characters from diverse backgrounds, who are often overlooked in Hollywood. The filmmakers and actors from the 3 winning films came in and talked about their process and what it was like to make the film. We're proud to be talking to the creators of Warmth, Gender Outlaw: a bodysurfing story, and Is He?, to give us more insight into their filmmaking process.

Stay tuned for the next Incluvie Film Festival in Spring 2023. Open submissions for short films starts in December 2022!