National Anthem

National Anthem, dir. Luke Gilford, 2023 USA, 99 min. 💖

Sunday, June 23, 2024, 6:00 PM, Roxie

not available in the Digital Screening Room streaming encore

⚠️Content advisory: rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language, and some drug use

🏆 Frameline48 Jury Award: Outstanding First Narrative Feature

National Anthem

21-year-old Dylan (Charlie Plummer) still lives at home in rural New Mexico with his mother (remarkably irresponsible even when she’s not drinking) and his pre-teen younger brother Cassidy (because somebody has to take care of the kid). Dylan works odd jobs as a day laborer, until one day Pepe shows up, looking for people to do some work on his ranch, The House of Splendor. It gradually becomes clear that House of Splendor is not your average ranch, with people of various gender identities living together as a chosen family, occasionally going off to a queer rodeo. For the first time in his life, Dylan feels like he can be himself and explore parts of himself he had never acknowledged.

It’s a subtle film, insinuating itself and its message into you without the need for clumsy clue-by-fours. It affirms the beauty of being yourself with people who accept you as-is, with some laughs and some sexy time to bridge the serious moments that tug at your heartstrings. It also actively reclaims the United States flag as a symbol for everyone, not just the far right. In particular, it affirms that you can do that even in a place like rural New Mexico. Definitely a MUST SEE.

• IMDb • Official website • Filmmaker • Twitter • Instagram • Facebook • preview • Wikipedia • Rotten Tomatoes: 95% • in theaters Friday, July 12, 2024 • the book National Anthem by Luke Gilford •