Hello Reader,

It can be easy for some of us to forget how recent the “bad old days” were — when queer couples were still jumping through hoops to be seen, recognized, allowed.

Alice Douard’s debut feature, Love Letters, just premiered in Critics’ Week — one of the lesser-publicized sidebars at Cannes (which I broke down on Ep. 171 of the podcast).

It’s not available to watch yet — but it’s one to keep an eye out for. And if you’re curious about how it captures a very recent chapter of queer history, my spoiler-free review is up now.

Set in 2014 France, just after same-sex marriage became legal, Love Letters follows Céline (Ella Rumpf) — not the pregnant one, but the other mother — as she navigates the frustrating, bureaucratic process to be legally recognized as her daughter’s parent.

She needs fifteen letters from family and friends — especially straight ones — vouching not just for her ability to parent, but that she’ll be accepted in the community as one. It’s the kind of administrative slog straight parents never have to deal with — asking others to co-sign your legitimacy just so it counts on paper.

It’s a film about:

• the weird emotional limbo of being “the other parent”
• social scripts that don’t fit — like being asked for your medical history at your partner’s prenatal appointment, or having to explain (again) why you’re not the one who’s pregnant
• casual (and not-so-casual) homophobia
• and the lonely terrain of trying to build a life that still doesn’t quite exist in the public imagination

📖 Read the review​

If you’ve ever felt like your identity meant jumping through hoops for things others get to do without thinking, this one might land.

If stories like this — international, queer, socially progressive, and off-the-beaten-path — speak to you, it’s the kind of film we watch in Reel Ruminators.

Each month, we dig into one under-the-radar gem and explore what makes it work. I share context and things to look (and listen) for, and at the end of the month, we gather for a small-group discussion that always shifts how we all see the film.

It’s not too late to join us for May — our live discussion is coming up soon on May 29.

This month, we’re watching a BAFTA-nominated queer drama from South Africa by a filmmaker poised to break out at Cannes this week. The title’s under wraps until you join, but if Love Letters caught your eye, this one will probably resonate.

🎟️ Check out May’s film + join the discussion →​

More soon,

Alex

P.S. I spoke with director Alice Douard about making Love Letters — our conversation will be up soon, so keep an eye out!