Popnography
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Homophobia in the Bahamas had its most public display when Rosie O'Donnell's R Family Cruise was met by loud, hateful protesters. But the story of the islands' hostility is hardly limited to that event. Writer/ Director Kareem J. Mortimer, who first explored the subject with his short film, Float, gives us a deeper understanding of the cultural elements at play in his lush and tender feature version of the short, Children of God. The story focuses on Jonny (Johnny Ferro), a gay, harassed, art student who can't tap into his passion. But when he meets Romeo (Stephen Tyrone Williams), a closeted island native who himself can't seem to take ownership of his true self, he is both awakened and liberated. Romeo, too, finds himself, in the relationship, if not quite his liberation. Meanwhile Lena (Margaret Laurena Kemp), the wife of the preacher at the helm of the gay protests, has her own awakening, leaving her somewhat stuck between her faith and her inherent goodness.
Mortimer gives in to too many cliches (must every disgusting homophobe be in the closet?) but that doesn't lessen the overall impact of his storytelling. And his characters truly resonate thanks to some fantastic casting. Ferro, Kemp and Williams are all extraordinary, offering subtle, layered performances. Ian Bloom's sumptuous photography is the co-star, showing the islands at their most gorgeous, in direct contrast to the ugliness so deeply rooted in many of their inhabitants.
Children of God screens on Friday, July 16 at Outfest. Call 213-480-7065 or visit Outfest.org for tickets. And be sure to check out the amazing silent auction items at outfest.org/auction.
-- EDDIE SHAPRIO
Previously > An Outfest selection: Sasha
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
38 Male Celebs Who Did Full Frontal Scenes
November 17 2023 5:18 PM
These are all the celebrities Who came out as LGBTQ+ in 2023
December 31 2023 12:19 PM
29 LGBTQ+ celebs you can follow on OnlyFans
April 18 2024 1:00 PM
26 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
February 28 2024 1:50 PM
16 times male celebrities had to say they weren't gay
April 17 2024 11:57 AM
21 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
April 03 2024 4:01 PM
15 Unforgettable Gay Kissing Scenes From TV & Movies
February 14 2024 10:20 AM
14 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
April 04 2024 12:56 PM
40 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
January 04 2024 10:54 AM
The 15 Best LGBTQ+ Movies of 2023
December 04 2023 10:32 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
April 22, 2024
18h
Meet Ludmilla, the queer Black Latina singer who conquered Coachella
April 20 2024 9:34 PM
Watch the 'Drag Race' season 16 finalists react to the winning queen's crowning
April 20 2024 3:56 PM
Here's how 'Drag Race' fans can buy Sasha Colby's line of ponytail extensions
April 19 2024 10:23 PM
The 'Drag Race' season 16 finale just made Miss Congeniality herstory
April 19 2024 9:38 PM
Here's who won 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 16
April 19 2024 9:31 PM
'Drag Race All Stars 9' was finally announced—here's when & where to watch
April 19 2024 8:16 PM
Taylor Swift is tortured & Willow Smith has big feelings on this New Music Friday
April 19 2024 5:36 PM