SF Queer Film Fest: 'A Balcony on the World,' 'Relay,' 'The Knife,' 'Eden,' Playland at the Beach

Highlights of the Week: Queer Indie Films, Documentaries, and Thrillers

This week, a variety of compelling films are making their way to screens across the Bay Area. From queer indie films to local-history documentaries and gripping thrillers, there's something for every movie enthusiast.

The SF Queer Film Festival, an event dedicated to showcasing LGBTQ+ filmmakers and independent queer cinema, is celebrating its fifth edition from August 22 to 24 at San Francisco’s Roxie Theater. This year's lineup includes 11 programs featuring both feature-length and short films. Each selection has been carefully chosen for its merit, innovation, and ability to challenge stereotypes.

The festival opens with "Love Me Bait Me," a documentary by Rachel van der Bie that explores the evolution of LGBTQ+ representation in film and television over the past century. On Friday, audiences will also enjoy "Babaylan," a short film highlighting Bay Area Filipino drag queens. Saturday's program features "Cutaways," an indie comedy directed by Mark Schwab. The story follows a filmmaker who, after being unfairly canceled on social media, finds himself directing an online porn flick.

Closing the festival on Sunday is "Outliers and Outlaws," a documentary by Courtney Hermann that tells the story of hundreds of lesbians who migrated to Eugene, Oregon, from the 1960s to the 1990s and broke societal norms. In addition to these highlights, the festival also includes short-film programs covering transgender stories, fetish and experimental works, HIV/AIDS themes, and music videos.

For those interested in history, a new documentary titled "A Balcony on the World" shines a light on the Aquatic Park Bathhouse in San Francisco. Directed by John Rogers, the film explores the historic waterfront structure that houses the San Francisco Maritime Museum. Originally built in the 1930s as part of the New Deal's Works Progress Administration, the bathhouse was envisioned as a "democratic country club." It features artwork with maritime themes and styles from the period. The documentary also covers challenges the building faced, including privatization, and details its transformation into the museum it is today. "A Balcony on the World" airs on KQED 9 at 8 p.m. on August 22, 2 a.m. on August 23, and 6 p.m. on August 30.

Local historian Woody LaBounty will give a big-screen illustrated talk about Playland at the Beach, a once-popular amusement park that operated for nearly 60 years at San Francisco's Ocean Beach. The event will take place at the 4 Star Theater on August 24 at 3 p.m.

In the thriller category, "Relay" offers a tense and paranoid narrative directed by David Mackenzie. Riz Ahmed stars as Ash, a reclusive negotiator who embarks on a dangerous mission to protect a whistleblower from corporate threats. The film features high-stakes chases and intense action, though some plot elements may feel exaggerated. Despite this, Ahmed delivers a powerful performance that captures the essence of isolation and personal struggle.

Another notable thriller is "The Knife," directed by Nnamdi Asomugha, a former NFL star. The film centers on an African American suburban family facing a home invasion and the consequences that follow. Asomugha's direction is taut and suspenseful, and the cast delivers strong performances. The film subtly addresses issues of racial bias within law enforcement.

Ron Howard's latest film, "Eden," dramatizes the real-life events of a group of Europeans who arrived on the Galapagos Islands in the 1930s to create a utopia. However, the film struggles to engage viewers due to its one-dimensional portrayal of characters and events. Despite a talented cast, the story fails to resonate emotionally.

These films offer a mix of entertainment, education, and thought-provoking narratives, ensuring a diverse cinematic experience for audiences this week.