I just finished watching Queerstralia , which is a three-part documentary about the hidden history of LGBTQIA+ people in Australia. It’s hosted by a comedian named Zoe Coombs Marr. To be honest, I didn't know who she was before this, so it took me a little while to get used to her specific style of joking around. The show covers a huge amount of time, starting from when Australia was a prison colony for the British all the way to famous movies like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert . It looks at how being gay was treated as a crime, the stories of trans pioneers, and even "bushrangers" (outlaws) who dressed in clothes of the opposite sex. It also goes into the history of the Mardi Gras festival, drag culture, and how gay marriage finally became legal there. The host starts the show by jokingly saying, "I’m a comedian, I’m not qualified," which tells you right away it's not going to be a stiff or boring history lesson. Over three episodes that are an hour long...
Handsome young gay man Albert has been lover of a successful pianist who dumps him when he find s a new lover. Stella, who happens to be the rich man's agent offers Albert to stay one night at her place when she finds him homeless. She leaves next day expecting him to leave, but instead he is ready with a fantastic dinner. Without verbally acknowledging it, they agree that Albert can stay longer and perform domestic duties while Stella continues working. Stella has a steady girlfriend and eventually Albert also finds a new rich older guy, but they stay together since they have become very good friends. One day when immigration authorities show up at their door, thats when Stella realize that Albert is illegal in the country. She marries him to prevent his deportation. On his birthday, in a drunken state, they end up sleeping together. This gets repeated a few times and eventually Stella has a baby. They start living like a straight married couple and Albert starts working with a fashion designer. Stella is always worried that Albert maybe having an affair but to her horror, his affair is with a woman and not a man. They fight it out but eventually love prevails and they both realize they really do love each other very much.
The whole idea that once a gay man and a lesbian woman sleep with each other and somehow suddenly are head over heels in love with opposite sec is total bs. Not today, not 40 years ago. I am sure the film's plot would have been met with a strong opposition. The film was going so well with a good friendship developing between the two protagonists and could have taken a nice route even after the marriage of convenience (since that is realistic) but making them sexually compatible and fall in love was totally uncalled for. The superficially 'liberal' approach is ultimately just as negative about gay sexuality. Thankfully both the actors are charming and share a decent chemistry. They even act well and look good together.
The film is not boring. Its alright but it is the plot and the premise that I have a problem with. (4/10)
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