LGBTQ+
Damn These Heels Film Review: Set the Thames on Fire
In what may well be the most WTF-worthy film of the festival, Ben Charles Edwards’ Set the Thames on Fire is a beautifully dark fairy tale that calls to mind the films of Terry Gilliam and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Taking place in a dystopic shadow of London, which has been drowned by the slow rise of the River Thames, Set the Thames on Fire introduces itself as “an agony in three acts.” … read more
Damn These Heels Film Review: Closet Monster
Like the title implies, Closet Monster is a film about the deep, dark fears that are born somewhere in our childhood. In the case of the film’s main character Oscar (Connor Jessup) however, these repressed anxieties are attached to his own homosexuality. It’s a well-illustrated look at the sexual confusion that many young people face, especially when negative stereotypes continue to perpetuate among those they care about. … read more
2016 Damn These Heels Film Reviews
Featuring films like Desde Allá (Lorenzo Vigas), Southwest of Salem (Deborah Esquenazi) and more, the Utah Film Center’s 13th annual Damn These Heels Film Festival continues to celebrate LGBTQ films, filmmakers and narratives. … read more
Damn These Heels Film Review: Southwest of Salem: The Story...
Southwest of Salem tells a shockingly similar tale of a trial that took place in San Antonio back in 1994. Both cases involved four lesbian women of color, and both cases clearly demonstrate how conservative mob mentality can hijack the criminal justice system.
Damn These Heels Film Review: Out Run
Out Run illuminates the complexities of LGBTQ+ lives and identities and how they interact with political movements, cultural norms and global progress toward—or away from—LGBTQ+ equality. … read more
Damn These Heels Film Review: MAJOR!
In her biographical doc, MAJOR!, director Annalise Ophelian celebrates the immense life and history of Miss Major. … read more
Damn These Heels Film Review: AWOL
Star-crossed lovers in rural American towns is something that we’ve seen before, but Shoval’s portrayal of a potential army recruit named Joey and her illicit romance with local housewife Rayna manages to breathe new, melancholy life into the genre. … read more
Radical Feminism in Contemporary Art: An Interview with Artist Cori...
Cori Redstone is an L.A. contemporary artist—but her roots are based right here in Utah. Like many Utah children, Redstone was raised in a conservative home that denied her the right to self-expression; however, Redstone did not let that stand in the way of finding her authentic self. … read more
Art | Art and Fashion | LGBTQ+
Damn These Heels Presents: Oriented
Paramount to Oriented are the conflicts and confluences within each of the three characters’ personal expression of his Palestinian nationalism and his sexuality. “The complexity of their identity is bonkers,” says Witzenfeld. “The fact that they can speak about it with such control, command and self-awareness inspires me enormously.” … read more
Creature Feature: Chelsea Siren, Enchantress of the Stage
Miss Siren is known for her ideas on body positivity and women empowerment, and her performances are real-life advertisements for those personal values. … read more