Feb 17
What were the Hottest Queer Films at Sundance 2025?
Frank J. Avella READ TIME: 12 MIN.
'Rains Over Babel'
Spanish-Colombian filmmaker Gala del Sol's electrifying, queer-positive feature debut, "Rains Over Babel," takes place predominantly in a dive bar that doubles for a purgatory where drag queens flourish, a figure known as La Flaca plays literal games with people's lives, a handsome former soldier acts as a kind of Grim Reaper, and snakes are to be feared – but a certain lizard might just save the day!
Did that make any sense? No? Well, oddly del Sol's fantastical, mesmerizing film does, at least most of the time. And when it doesn't, it's still a blast to behold. She's created a fevered punk "island of misfit toys"-type world where acceptance can be cathartic, but death is always looming.
The cast includes sizzling newcomers like Felipe Aguilar Rodriguez as the yummy, but dead, soldier longing to say one last goodbye to his lover, and sexy Santiago Pineda as El Boticario, who may or may not be Satan.
"Rains Over Babel" is a one-of-a-kind, beguiling, magical realism fantasia. Del Sol is an exciting new filmmaker. I can't wait to see what she does next!
Frank J. Avella is a proud EDGE and Awards Daily contributor. He serves as the GALECA Industry Liaison and is a Member of the New York Film Critics Online. His award-winning short film, FIG JAM, has shown in Festivals worldwide (figjamfilm.com). Frank's screenplays have won numerous awards in 17 countries. Recently produced plays include LURED & VATICAL FALLS, both O'Neill semifinalists. He is currently working on a highly personal project, FROCI, about the queer Italian/Italian-American experience. He is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. https://filmfreeway.com/FrankAvella https://muckrack.com/fjaklute
