In 2020, Korean director Bong Joon Ho said something important during his speech after winning the Golden Glober award for the best foreign-language film: “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” I FULLY agree!
There are so many amazing foreign queer films out there that often don’t see much attention from US and even Western audiences. Although it is worth noting that many of my European followers are used to foreign films and subtitles given their close proximity to many diverse languages. And the shocking bit – there are actually queer films produced in foreign countries in English.
So while I highlight certain segments of the queer Christmas film sub-genre each holiday season, my job today is to highlight the Foreign Queer Christmas Films! And don’t worry, while two of the five queer Christmas films on today’s list require subtitles for most of us, the other three are in English. I understand that watching films with subtitles can sometimes feel like more work, so I won’t overwhelm you – this time.
So let’s dive into these 5 Foreign Queer Christmas Films and discover some queer holiday films that are overlooked simply because of that pesky subtitle “issue”!
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5 Foreign Queer Christmas Films
With only four days to go before the Christmas Eve of 1970, the resolute, hard-as-nails officer of the Greek Army, Colonel Manolis Loggos, has the entire regiment of the Vatis Camp in Evros going full steam, to get ready for the traditional annual Christmas festivities. Now, against the backdrop of a cold, grey, and perpetually wet winter, conscientious and taciturn First Lieutenant Stefanos Karamanidis enlists the help of the soft-spoken and reserved soldier, Lazaros Lazarou, to pull off two equally daunting feats: learn the basics of tango, so that he can ask the colonel’s beautiful wife, Zoe, to dance with him. But, it takes two to tango, and love demands courage. Will things ever be the same again after the brief but passionate Christmas tango?
I finally had the chance to watch “The Christmas Tango”, and overall I was rather captivated! Foreign films often require a bit more dedication when watching (due to having to read subtitles), but I found myself drawn into the slow building story as it evolves. There’s a few different aspects that draw you in, but I found the homoerotic tension between Lt. Karamanidis and Lazarou especially catching my eye. There’s a struggle going on between them, as Karamanidis is fighting so many internal struggles in order to learn how to tango – including having to ask a male soldier for help. Meanwhile, it’s quite clear that Lazarou is not only gay but in love with Karamanidis. Despite being two very different types of men, that all melts away while they slowly learn the tango – and how to work together.
Unfortunately, the queer narrative doesn’t take us much further than that mere glimpse of hope. However, the entire storyline as well as the rest of the cast makes this holiday film worth watching! The twist that it’s Cl. Loggos’ wife Zoe whom Karamanidis hopes to woe with the tango adds a bit of drama to the story. “The Christmas Tango” is a difficult film to find, but it’s certainly worth watching if you happen to find it back on streaming sites for the holidays.
Unfortunately The Christmas Tango is not available to watch or buy at the moment.
Yoon-Hee lives with her teenage daughter Sae-Bom. On a winter day, Yoon-Hee receives a letter from Otaru, Japan. Sae-Bom accidentally reads the letter and learns about her mother’s first love, which she never spoke about before.
This is a beautiful queer film. Yoon-Hee’s daughter instigates the reconnection of two lovers from years ago, which brings to life a lesbian romance left in the lover’s pasts. The pacing is rather slow and meticulous; this will either bore you – or slowly draw you in. However, it’s the cinematography that really shines alongside the story. The winter scenes are accented among long wide shots that interestingly remain rather intimate. This queer foreign lesbian film may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s an enjoyable watch that differs from other queer Christmas films.
Watch Moonlit Winter on Prime Video, and Tubi.
German family Schroeder is spending their Christmas holidays on the Thai island, Phuket. Of all the things, deep within the sleazy tourist bars and alleys of Patong, the youngest son Felix falls in love with a gorgeous Thai girl Fai who in return appears to mutually attracted to him. Fai holds a special secret. Following a sorrowful last goodbye to Fai at the end of his holiday, Felix decides while en-route to the airport, to follow the calling in his heart and stay a week longer.
Patong Girl was VERY difficult for me to find, which is rather odd as it’s a relatively recent film from just a decade ago. However, I do wonder if it’s a combination of the film’s subject and the heavy Thai influence that has buried this film into the abyss. Overall it was a decent film to watch and you could feel the youthfulness of a holiday romance between Felix and Fai. And it certainly is a queer film given that Fai is trans, which I thought was handled rather well. Of course, I am certainly no expert in this area and would defer to the opinions of others rather than my own. That all said, if you are able to find a copy of this queer foreign film, it’s worth watching. But equally I wouldn’t worry if you cannot find it.
Unfortunately Patong Girl is not available to watch or buy at the moment.
Nell, Simon and their son Art host a yearly Christmas dinner at their country estate for their former school friends and their spouses. It is gradually revealed that there is an imminent environmental catastrophe and that this dinner will be their last night alive.
This is a very different queer foreign film! Despite starting off as a rather typical drama that occurs when family and friends gather for the holidays, this film takes a very dark turn as the truth of the evening is slowly revealed. While it’s hard to avoid not knowing the plot twist in advance, it still takes us by surprise because we get drawn into the family drama. Silent Night is more a horror or thriller film rather than they typical queer Christmas film; it’s not the kind of movie you put on when you want to cuddle up in front of the fireplace and get into the holiday spirit!
However, I found it to be extremely captivating – I couldn’t focus on anything else but watch this film. And the lesbian couple are not overshadowed as often happens in ensemble films. If you enjoy darker holiday films, definitely check out Silent Night. Otherwise, you may want to skip this one!
Watch Silent Night on Amazon, Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
In his latest film, provocative auteur Jorge Ameer narrates a nostalgic Christmas story based on a old Panamanian holiday tradition. Víctor Gardel, a lonely workaholic, rescues animals for a local shelter. He loves the end of the year celebrations. From small, he would create life size dolls made out of newspaper and explosives to celebrate the end of year festivities. However, this holiday season will prove unforgettable as Victor’s latest creation comes to life to disrupt and enlighten him on the true meaning of love, friendship and family. Life ,as he knows it, is about to change. The holiday spectre will teach him to cherish the moments that makes lasting memories, as what was once is no more.
I really wanted to enjoy The Family Tree. The premise starts off a bit unique, but not too unrealistic. Even though Roy makes it clear that he is not gay, you can sense some underlying sexual fluidity. Even the most desperate undocumented immigrant would not agree to marrying a stranger unless there’s something else pulling them together. But despite some intriguing starting points and overlooking some very amateur cinematic elements, this foreign queer Christmas film takes a sudden twist halfway through that is more akin to jumping off a cliff! I won’t reveal any spoilers, but it’s not a cheerful ending despite a last minute effort to bring the story full circle. I don’t say this lightly, but I’d skip over The Family Tree and watch something else.
Watch The Family Tree on Amazon, Prime Video, Ariztical, Here TV, Peacock TV, and Tubi.
