Interview Sam H Freeman and Ng Choon Ping Femme, directors "FEMME"

Zsombor Bobák in coversation with Sam H Freeman and Ng Choon Ping Femme about the film "FEMME"
With his performances as Aphrodite Banks, Jules has a place among London’s celebrated drag artists. One night after a show, he steps out to get some cigarettes and is brutally attacked by a guy out with a gang of blokes. Although Jules is able to recover physically, he withdraws from the outside world, traumatised. Months later, he recognises his attacker by chance in a gay sauna. Without make-up and wrapped only in a towel, Jules is able to approach the other man incognito and find out who he is. He begins an affair with the closeted homosexual Preston in order to take his revenge. Directors Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping deploy a direct style and tightly woven scenes to depict a London of stark contrasts in terms of gender ideology. Carried by their cast’s physically and psychologically subtle performances, their revenge drama is gripping, but more importantly it is also the study of a milieu that avoids social determinism. A compelling psychological portrait of internalised homophobia and a powerful and brave pro-LGBTIQ+ kick against a society that, at its core, is totalitarian, anti-gay and anti-trans.
Deutsch
Jules gehört mit seinen Auftritten als Aphrodite Banks zu den gefeierten Drag-Performern Londons. Nach einer Show will er nur kurz Zigaretten holen und wird von einem Typen, der mit seiner Boys-Gang unterwegs ist, brutal zusammengeschlagen. Körperlich kann er sich zwar wieder erholen, zieht sich aber traumatisiert aus der Öffentlichkeit zurück. Monate später erkennt Jules in einer Schwulensauna per Zufall seinen Angreifer wieder. Ohne Make-up und nur mit einem Handtuch bekleidet kann er ihm unerkannt nahekommen und die Identität des Schlägers herausfinden. Er beginnt eine Affäre mit dem versteckt homosexuellen Preston, um sich an ihm zu rächen.
Mit großer Direktheit, dicht inszenierten Szenen und getragen von der physisch und psychologisch subtilen Performance seiner Darsteller erzählt das Regieduo Sam H. Freeman und Ng Choon Ping von einem London der krassen genderideologischen Gegensätze. Ihr Revenge-Thriller ist packend und mehr als das: eine Milieustudie, die Sozialdeterminismus vermeidet, ein eindringliches Psychogramm internalisierter Homonegativität und ein so gewaltiger wie mutiger LGBTIQ*-Tritt gegen eine im Kern totalitäre, schwulenund transfeindliche Gesellschaft.
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[@samanthawaterman5978]

It was amazing,well done guys!

[@bluscorpion]

That's a really good question at the end. I'm wondering the same thing. What's happens between these two? I want a sequel!!!

[@bluscorpion]

Or a TV show!!! Obviously on a streaming platform so people around the world can watch. I need more exploration of their stories. These characters are very relatable, and I think they deserve to tell us more.

[@bluscorpion]

Dude, this movie is amazing!!!!!!!

[@bluscorpion]

I think the drag performance on both sides is the overtone of the film, but equally important is the theme of trust that weaves or two characters together, to the point where at the end, I'm almost questioning who the protagonist is. In the end, I felt bad for Preston, because unlike Jules, he has to live a lie. In his mind, he doesn't have a choice, until he meets Jules, and can have the relationship he so deeply desires. I'm also intrigued that we have two characters of different ethnicities, and not once did the subject of race come up. What I appreciated most about the movie was an opportunity to delve into the psyche of an extreme closet case. I know someone like him, and I can't help but feel sorry for the individual, because they have to live a lie, and are willing to hurt others to maintain that lie. I'm

[@bluscorpion]

I wonder how the story would have changed if the ethnic backgrounds were reversed. Also even though Preston's friends were douchebags, it was nice to see they weren't all monochrome.

[@szasbaddest1]

this movie's beyond shitty, and deeply offensive.