Descent Into Cinema Episode Three: Passages and Queer Panorama Preview

A Berlinale curtain-raiser

Passages (Ira Sachs, 2023) is the new critical darling of the year. Fresh out of its premiere at Sundance, it has garnered rave reviews for its frank sexuality, raw look at relationships and “Europeanness”. It’s the last part that sounds strange. It’s worth looking into a bit more.

It’s playing in the Panorama section of the Berlinale, home of the Teddy Award, given to the best Queer film. In the latest episode of Descent Into Cinema, I’m joined by fellow film journalist Jared Abbott to talk about what works in Passages (the framing), what definitely doesn’t (the characters) and whether or not it’s worth the hype. We also look at other queer films in the Panorama section you need to put on your radar.