Ciné Sunday: Saturday Church

Teenager Ulysses is in a difficult place. Secretly crossdressing, bullied at school and with no understanding at home, he creates for himself a musical fantasy world in which he dreams of tolerance and acceptance. Driven from the house by his conservative Aunt Rose, Ulysses meets a glittering community of gay and transgender teens and their welcoming ‘Saturday Church’, who encourage him to be who he wants to be. However, his homelessness also means he has to fend for himself on the streets of Manhattan, where some harsh lessons are about to be learned.

This is a soulful and ultimately life-affirming exploration of teenage gay and transgender identity, presented in musical form. At times poignant, at times defiant, this is a vibrant call for compassion and acceptance that perfectly captures one positive experience in the ongoing battle for social change.