‘Lions in Waiting’: Explores LGBTQ Challenges in Sports

Canada Gay Shorts

2023-07-03
10:26

The Canadian short film ‘Lions in Waiting’ is now available to stream on GagaOOLala!

‘Lions in Waiting’ is a 17-minute short that was released in 2017. It is part of the official selection in the 2018 Vancouver Queer Film Festival, 2018 BFI Flare London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, 2018 ShanghaiPRIDE, 2018 KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, and 2018 Inside Out Toronto LGBT Festival. The short stars Taylor Kare, Bob Frazer, and Riley Davis, and is directed by Jason Karman, who also directed “Kimchi Fried Dumplings”. It was also named the winner of the “Best of BC Award” at the 2018 Chilliwack Independent Film Festival and nominated for Best Student Production at the 2018 Leo Awards.

In an interview with the director, Jason Karman states:

As Canadians, we celebrate how hockey has become one of the defining symbols of our nation. The game is still dominated by males; masculinity is constructed at an early age, performed within competitive relationships, allowing the connection to be made between weak and being LGBTQ. Normalizing accepted forms of shameful behavior is part of indoctrination culture, but it can create feelings of complicity and lead to concealment. Initiation is supposed to be empowering. Maintaining dignity while pursuing your passion does not have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, they can work in tandem through open dialogue and lead to the creation of a stronger identity.

The newest member of a minor league hockey team, Ray, experiences hazing by his new teammates as he struggles to fit in both on and off the ice. Ray will have to find the courage to accept himself first – and maybe even inspire a fellow teammate.

Watch ‘Lions in Waiting’ now on GagaOOLala.

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