Sapphic Bollywood romcom novel, Leonard Bernstein biopic
Plus, 100 queer sci-fi/fantasy films & TV shows, and let Taylor Swift be your guide to new-to-you queer poets
Hello! Tara here with apologies for the hiatus over the last month. If you’ve been keeping up with our recent episodes, you know I’ve had to take a couple of trips for family and work, which landed directly on top of the newsletter schedule. But I’m back and ready to bring you the latest in queer entertainment news.
🎧 Latest episode: People like me don’t have stamps
In our latest episode, Kris and I talk about taxes, stamps, and travel.
Kris recommends Bradley Cooper’s 2023 film Maestro, about American composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. Kris was blown away by the storytelling and how Cooper disappeared into the role.
I recommend the sapphic romance novel Dulhaniyaa by Talia Bhatt, which is like a love letter to Bollywood romcoms. It’s about how Esha, an American-raised Indian woman, is pressured into learning a special dance for her wedding to a man she’s never met and falls for her dance instructor, Billu, instead.
While we’re at it
Because Dulhaniyaa draws on so many Bollywood tropes, it’s best appreciated if you’re familiar with films from the region, especially romcoms. So, to get ready, I recommend at least checking out the documentary miniseries The Romantics on Netflix. It’s about Yash Raj Films’ history, especially in making romantic films. It showcases many of the tropes that show up in Dulhaniyaa.
If you want to check out some Bollywood romcoms, then I recommend following up The Romantics with:
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)
Hum Tum (2004)
Jab We Met (2007)
Yeh Jewaani Hai Deewani (2013)
🗞️ Queer entertainment news roundup
Find out which emotionally intense lesbian song from the 1980’s or ’90s you are. I am “Closer to Fine” by The Indigo Girls. (Autostraddle)
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe are turning the sapphic romance novel Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner into a TV series. (Pride)
Discover queer poets based on your favourite track from The Tortured Poets Department (Autostraddle)
Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle, are expecting a baby (LGBTQ Nation)
Someone played the technical test for Hades II and it’s just as queer as the original game. I might need to book off the week after its launch date so I can dive in (Them)
Mel B from the Spice Girls talks about rejecting labels and her 5-year relationship with a woman. (Attitude)
If you’re into sci-fi or fantasy, you’ll want to check out this list of the 100 best lesbian, bisexual and queer SFF films and TV shows. I might disagree with some of the rankings (especially #1), but all the right things seem to be somewhere on there. (Autostraddle)
Until next time,
Tara & Kris
Must watch Maestro... :)