MQFF NOTES: Liz in September (2014, Dir. Fina Torres)

On the eve of her birthday, Eva (Eloisa Maturén) sets off solo on a beach trip. Her husband, ostensibly called away on work, is to follow the next day. Eva breaks down and a helpful mechanic suggests she stay the night at Margot's

It turns out Margot's isn't so much a beachfront hotel as it is a sapphic fantasia stocked with flirty couples ready and waiting to release Eva's inner lesbian. Head of that line is competitive lady-predator, Liz (Patricia Velasquez), who soon has a running bet that she can bed Eva within three days.

I don't want to be overly dismissive, but this being a lesbian drama, things don't stay light and fluffy too long. Before we've even been treated to the actual seduction, dead children, previous relationships and cancer rear their ugly heads.

This wouldn't be an issue, of course, but for the fact that Fina Torres' material (based on a play by Jane Chambers) doesn't spend enough time with its characters to lift the care factor to the required level before the shit hits the fan. Too much of her film is given over to pouring over Eva's well proportioned but entirely blank features.

I'm actually interested to hear if this floated anyone's boat. For me it fell into the already overflowing generic lesbian drama basket. Keen to be shouted down.

★★

Trailer:

Liz in September screened as part of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2016.

You can check out other films from the festival here.