Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2011 Film Review: To Faro (Mein Freund Aus Faro)

To Faro (Mein Freund Aus Faro)
2008, Germany
Queer Film Festival 2011

I was very excited to get to attend this year’s Queer Film Festival! I had absolutely no idea what I was in for since I had never really even seen a queer film (besides the major blockbusters) let alone been to a festival gala.

Whatever I might have expected in terms of quality, acting, and even storyline / content were pretty much blown out of the water. This German film, To Faro, is definitely worth seeing. Not only was it beautifully shot, but the charming little German town and ways were very dear to me. Tomboy Mel (Anjorka Strechel) fakes a relationship with an attractive man to please her family, while falling for a girl who thinks Mel is Miguel, and ends up caught in a web of lies. As teenaged-drama as this may sound, the film is actually hilarious and clever. It’s a classic story of a first crush, sexual confusion, and living up to others standards, but told in a very endearing way. The crowd definitely went through an emotional whirlwind, laughing at reoccurring jokes of Portugal, yet cringing at awful lies two minutes later. The indie style is totally natural and realistic, which serves to make it that much more heart warming and heart breaking.

To Faro plays next on August 19^th at Empire Granville 7 Cinemas at 5PM.

This post was contributed by Jessica, attending the Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2011 on media passes for Hummingbird604.com. We are neither obligated nor were we paid to review the film. As always, I (Raul) maintain editorial control at all times. You can read more of Jessica’s writing on her blog.

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