The secret to a good thriller is all in the pace. Something that Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s debut feature film, Femme, does perfectly...
Starring Nathan Stewart and George McKay, the film tells the story of Jules who, after a horrific homophobic attack which destroys his confidence and career, struggles to get back on track. One night, after he randomly meets one of his attackers in a gay sauna, he decides to get revenge.
I have to admit I went in expecting a typical revenge thriller where it descended into bland shock-value violence or gore. However, the reality was something far better crafted. Femme pulls you into a very realistic queer world keeping you on your toes with suspense throughout - just who is playing who? Too often queer worlds when constructed for film feel forced, fake or unrealistic. However, thankfully the clubs, apartments and sadly even the attack feels all too real, especially as a queer viewer.
It does an excellent job of showcasing the dangers faced by LGBT+ people every day. Jules, while dressed as their drag queen alter-ego, Aphrodite, faces a dilemma as he needs cigarettes but needs to go to the shop which means leaving the safety of the club. While in the shop, a group of lads enter and Jules’ anxiety is palpable. The homophobic remarks made by the lads are far too familiar.
The suspense kept us riveted but the excellent acting kept us on our toes.
We need to talk about the wonderful Nathan Stewart, perfectly cast in Femme. You may recognise him from Channel 4 series Misfits, but this role is very different and showcases his talent in a different way; occasionally becoming hard to separate him from the character at times. While Jules is relatable and likeable, Nathan manages to make the character someone you truly root for even if his initial idea of revenge is horrendous. Despite the film's tough themes, it’s wonderful to see Black LGBT people, actors and stories centred in this film. There needs to be more.
George MacKay stars alongside Stewart as Preston, the homophobic closeted man who attacks Jules. Their relationship which forms part of Jules's revenge is complex and intriguingly layered. MacKay has a frighteningly good grasp on portraying toxic masculinity and nastiness but with an undercurrent of something more vulnerable. A polar opposite role to his character Bromley in Pride where he played a loveable yet naive queer man on the verge of coming out.
In sitting through this, I realised I hadn’t relaxed once but that’s not a bad thing. The suspense kept us riveted but the excellent acting kept us on our toes. Pace is always important in films but in thrillers, it can make or break a film. I thoroughly recommend going to see Femme while you can as I genuinely count this as one of the better films I’ve seen this year. We are still discussing it over coffee this morning: truly the mark of a good film.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
