We are well and truly into the new year at this stage and everyone is still trying to forget the fever dream that was Cats, however, all is not lost! End of the Century and Portrait of a Lady on Fire are two new LGBT+ films will be premiering in the IFI this February that are set to captivate Irish cinema-goers for all the right reasons, with both films are already receiving rave reviews with high praise from both critics and general audiences alike.

End of the Century dir. Lucio Castro

Two men meet in Barcelona and after spending a day together they realize that they have already met twenty years ago. While on holiday in Barcelona, Ocho (Juan Barberini), an Argentinian poet from New York and Javi (Ramon Pujol), children’s television director from Berlin cross paths. The two immediately hit it off and engage in a passionate love affair. Ocho believes that they have met before and the next day Javi finally confirms his suspicions.

Following this revelation unfurls a series of flashbacks which expand the audience’s views of the men. The film is Lucio Castro’s debut feature is out in Irish cinemas on February 21 and is a must-see for those who are looking for a romance with a twist.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire dir. Céline Sciamma

The French historical drama film written and directed by Céline Sciamma follows Marianne (Noémie Merlant) an artist that has been sent to surreptitiously paint a portrait of the grieving Héloise (Adèle Haenel). The difficulty is that Héloise has refused to pose for previous painters as the resulting portrait will be sent to a Milanese man she has never met before, yet is arranged to marry. 

Marianne is tasked with capturing Héloise’s likeness all while acting as though she is merely being employed as a companion to the bereaved woman. As time wears on and the portrait takes shape the women gradually grow closer together both platonically and romantically, all while Héloise’s arranged marriage looms in the distance, growing ever closer. This is Sciamma’s fourth feature and premiers on February 28.

For those who just can’t wait, the IFI are doing special preview screenings of both of these LGBT+ films on Valentine’s day, a week before the general release of End of the Century and two weeks before Portrait of a Lady on Fire is released. Tickets for both films are available here.