BFI Flare 2019: Giant Little Ones

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BFI FLARE
L o n d o n  L G B T Q +  F i l m  F e s t i v a l  2 0 1 9

"For popular student Franky, home life is a bit more complicated than it is for most teenagers. Dealing with the repercussions of his father leaving his mother for another man, the breakdown of his seemingly perfect family has left him with a few emotional issues. School, on the other hand, is great. Not only does Franky have a loving girlfriend, he also has the support of his long-time best friend, the ever reliable Ballas. But Franky’s world is about to get turned upside down once again when an unexpected encounter at his 16th birthday party has some fateful consequences." BFI Flare

You'd think this was a genre that's been done to death: in recent years we've had mainstream hits like Love, Simon and Alex Strangelove, and accomplished indie hits like Akron. Can there be anything new to say about photogenic teens on the verge of coming out?

Yes. Giant Little Ones starts out like its older bros, but, thanks to a really smart, satisfying twist (no spoilers here), becomes something else.


Franky (Josh Wiggins) is utterly charming as the genial Franky. An Abercrombie & Fitch-beautiful Darren Mann is his best friend, Ballas. Kyle MacLachlan also stars, as Franky's suddenly gay father, but its the scene-stealing Niamh Wilson who you'll most likely remember, as Franky's unapologetically queer friend, Mouse. There's an outrageously funny scene in which the strap-on wearing lesbian demands some hands on experience of her buddy's equipment. Wiggins and Wilson are hysterical.


Perfectly pitched and cast, Giant Little Ones even has a bittersweet, lump-in-the-throat ending.

A future classic.





KAOS reports every year from the annual
BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival. 




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