As June approaches, it’s time to celebrate Pride Month in the most enjoyable and educational way possible by watching LGBTQ+ movies and TV shows. These platforms educate viewers about new vocabulary, the challenges of the LGBTQ+ community and what makes them human like the rest of us, and give LGBTQ+ people the feeling of being seen and heard.

However, touching and insightful LGBTQ+ films are being made not only in the US, but all over the world. These films sometimes go unnoticed, but they deserve more support and recognition. So here are a few underrated international films that fans should add to their Pride Month watch list.

COLLIDER VIDEO OF THE DAY

SCROLL TO CONTINUE CONTENT

10 “Two Tramps” (2005)

Two Tramps (2005) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%

Two Drifters Portuguese film about Pedro (Joao Carreira) and Rui (Nuno Gil), two young men who meet and fall in love in Lisbon. Their relationship is complicated by their different backgrounds and personalities, as well as the disapproval of their families and society. When Rui dies in a homophobic attack, Pedro embarks on a journey of grief and self-discovery, eventually finding solace in the arms of Rui’s sister.

Because it provides a genuine and honest description of the hardships faced by same-sex couples in an often hostile and discriminatory culture, Two Drifters is a must-see. In addition, the film also provides a special perspective on grief and loss, as well as how love can survive death and bring people together.

9 ‘Death in Venice’ (1971)

Death in Venice (1971) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 71%

Death in Venice - Italian film adaptation of the short story of the same name Thomas Mann. The film follows Gustave Aschenbach (Dirk Bogarde), a composer who travels to the seaside resort of Venice in search of rest, but does not find it, as he quickly experiences Tadzio’s anxious desire (Bjorn Andresen), a young man who embodies the ideal of beauty that Aschenbach has long striven for.

Death in Venice presents a rich and complex portrait of same-sex attraction and the social stigma associated with it. The film does not shy away from the homoerotic overtones of the relationship between Gustav and Tadzio, but also offers a critique of the social norms and expectations that prevent them from acting on their desires. The film has breathtaking cinematography and a melancholic melody, with Bogarde playing the strong and complex role of Gustav.

8 ‘Tropical Disease’ (2004)

Tropical Sickness (2004) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

tropical disease Thai film about a soldier named Keng (Banlop Lomnoy), who falls in love with a young man named Tong (Sakda Kevbuadi) during a mission in the jungle. The first half of the film is about their building romance, while the second half takes a surreal and mystical turn as Kang embarks on a journey to confront a werewolf spirit terrorizing the village.

tropical disease honestly talks about the difficulties and prejudices faced by LGBT people in Thai culture, but also gives a mystical and spiritual look at the nature of desire and love. What’s more, for viewers longing to immerse themselves in a deeply sensual jungle experience, this sensual, not narrative, film is for them.

7 ‘XXY’ (2007)

XXY' (2007) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 83%

XXI - Argentinean-Spanish film centered on Alex (Ines Efron), a 15-year-old intersex girl who lives with her parents in a remote coastal town in Uruguay. Alex’s parents struggle to come to terms with her condition, and tension rises when a family friend brings his teenage son to them.

XXI offers a sensitive portrayal of intersex identities and the challenges intersex people face in a society that often forces them to conform to binary gender norms. The film also provides a unique perspective on the complexities of human sexuality and how acceptance and love can challenge conventional wisdom. After the credits, viewers are left with the impression that life and love will overcome all limitations, destroying gender stereotypes and generally accepted social mores.

6 “Yossi and Jagger” (2002)

Yossi & Jagger (2002) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

Yossi and Jagger is an Israeli film about two titled Israeli soldiers played by Ohad Noller And Yehuda Levyrespectively, which are deployed in a remote military outpost on the border with Lebanon. The two men are secretly in love, but their relationship is complicated by the military’s strict policy on homosexuality. When a military operation goes wrong, their relationship is tested and they have to overcome the dangers of war and the trials of forbidden love.

Yossi and Jagger eschews clichés and political rhetoric to depict the fragility of existence when death is an omnipresent possibility, while also featuring heartfelt speeches and a blatant, almost eerie setting. It also offers what appears to be an authentic look at the gay community that exists within the Israeli military. Overall, the film is a superbly shot and deeply moving film that conveys an important message of tolerance and understanding.

5 “I killed my mother” (2009)

I killed my mother (2009) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 87%

I killed my mother Canadian film about a young man named HubertXavier Dolan), who struggles to come to terms with his sexuality and strained relationship with his mother. Hubert is a talented artist, but his mother does not understand or appreciate his work, and their relationship is full of tension and conflict.

The purpose of filmmaking is not to alleviate the suffering caused by abuse or to quell the smoldering arguments between mother and son. Its intensity and viciousness must be exposed for the closure to be therapeutic. I killed my mother candidly explores the intricacies and inconsistencies of interpersonal relationships and provides a complex and sympathetic portrait of the difficulties Hubert and his mother endure. It also offers a unique perspective on how art and creativity can be a source of healing and self-discovery.

4 “Bad Education” (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 88%

Bad upbringing Spanish film about two men, Ignacio (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Enrique (Fele Martinez), who were childhood friends and lovers. Ignacio, now a transvestite named Zahara, returns to his hometown to tell Enrique about their past and avenge the abuse he suffered at the hands of a Catholic priest.

Bad upbringing provides a powerful and insightful exploration of the complexity of queer identity and the ways it interacts with memory, power, and religion. The film doesn’t embellish the nasty and dark parts of people’s past; however, it also conveys a message of strength and resilience. What’s more, the unique combination of formal elegance, playful storytelling, and genuine personal passion is unlikely to be found in many other films.

3 “I don’t want to sleep alone” (2006)

I don't want to sleep alone (2006) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 88%

I don’t want to sleep alone A Malaysian-Taiwanese film about a homeless man named Xiao-Kang.Kang Sheng Li), who is beaten and left to die on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. He is rescued by a group of Bangladeshi migrant workers who take him in and take care of him. As Xiao-Kang recovers, he becomes romantically involved with one of the workers, Rawang (Norman Atun).

If you’re not a fan of elliptical, dreamy stories like these Ming-liang Tsai, this subtle, slow-paced image of responsibility and optimism will test your patience. The film provides an original perspective on how compassion and love can transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries through well-written characters and excellent production.

2 “What He Looks Like” (2014)

What does he look like (2014) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%

What does he look like Brazilian film about a blind teenager named Leonardo.Guilherme Lobo) is trying to defend his independence and come to terms with his sexuality. With the help of his best friend Giovana (Tess Amorim), and a new classmate named Gabriel (Fabio Audi), Leonardo begins to explore his desires and develops a romantic relationship with Gabriel.

What does he look like is a fantastic film with a heartfelt love story that perfectly captures growing up in all its chaotic, awkward, and sometimes painful beauty. Also, without being overly theatrical, the film conveys the subtle agony of rejection, strife, and jealousy that audiences will feel as they immerse themselves in the story.

1 “BPM (beats per minute)” (2017)

BPM (beats per minute)' (2017) (1)

Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%

BPM (beats per minute) is a French film about a group of activists in Paris in the early 1990s who fight for better treatment and awareness of HIV/AIDS. The film focuses on the relationship between two activists, Sean (Nahuel Perez Biscayart) and Nathan (Arno Valois) as they manage their personal and political lives in the midst of an epidemic.

BPM (beats per minute) it may not be an easy watch, but it stands out as a brilliant performance because it offers a powerful and unwavering portrayal of the struggles queer people face during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The film also strikingly demonstrates the government’s negligence and subsequent public outrage.