Overcompensating, Misericordia and Sunflower

For this Out Takes, we looked at a new television show and two films that explore the process of coming out, homophobia, toxic masculinity and accepting who you really are. First up, we looked at ‘Overcompensating’ which is streaming now on Prime Video and is a college-set ensemble comedy about the wild, chaotic journey of Benny (Benito Skinner), a closeted former football player and homecoming king, as he becomes fast friends with Carmen (Wally Baram), a high school outsider on a mission to fit in at all costs. It’s fair to say this show gets the Out Takes seal of approval and will be in our top 10 of 2025.

We also took a look at ‘Misericordia’, a sharp, sinister, and deeply dark comedy thriller from director Alain Guiraudie which played to sell-out crowds at MQFF in 2024 and is screening exclusively at Cinema Nova this May. Set in the autumnal, woodsy village of Saint-Martial, Jérémie (Félix Kysyl), an out-of-work baker, has returned to his hometown after the death of his beloved former boss. When Jérémie asks to extend his visit, he begins to insert himself into his mentor’s family’s life, including his former boss’s kind-hearted widow Martine and venomously angry son Vincent. When Vincent disappears, an investigation takes place amongst the carnal world of violence and eroticism that emanates throughout Jérémie, the town, and its inhabitants. No spoilers here but let’s just say you’ll never look at mushroom picking or small town priests in the same way ever again… We finished with an encore presentation of our interview with the director/producer team Gabriel Carrubba and Zane Borg along with Liam Mollica who is the lead actor in ‘Sunflower’ which is streaming now on SBS so support great independent local queer film and check it out.