How would you handle coming face to face with your attacker? Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s “Femme” takes that very question — and the revenge story that follows — to a new level, as it follows a lauded drag artist (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) who crosses paths with his homophobic assaulter (George MacKay) in a gay bathhouse months after his terrible attack. What transpires is an unexpected tale of forgiveness, empathy, and yes, even violence.
The official synopsis for the film reads: “With his performances as Aphrodite Banks, Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) has a place among London’s celebrated drag artists. One night after a show, he steps out to get some cigarettes and is brutally attacked by a man (George MacKay) out with a gang of his friends. Although Jules is able to recover physically, he withdraws from the outside world, traumatized. Months later, he recognizes his attacker by chance in a gay sauna. Without make-up and wrapped only in a towel, Jules is able to approach the other man incognito and find out who he is. He begins an affair with the closeted Preston, with a plan to take his revenge.”
Aaron Heffernan, John McCrea, and Asha Reid co-star. “Femme” has already won three British Independent Film Awards, including a Best Joint Lead Performance for stars Stewart-Jarrett and MacKay.
The film marks filmmakers Freeman and Ping’s feature debut. The duo co-wrote and co-directed the BAFTA-nominated short film of the same name, starring Paapa Essiedu and Harris Dickinson. While Ping’s background is predominantly in theatre direction, Freeman hails from the TV screenwriting side with credits in “Industry” and “The Power.” Freeman recently sold original series “Unmasked” to Disney.
“Femme” is produced by Myles Payne and Sam Ritzenberg, with Marnie Podos, Eva Yates, Sébastien Raybaud, Kate Maxwell, Harriet Harper-Jones, and David Staniland executive producing. Hayley Williams and Dimitris Birbilis co-produce.
MacKay recently appeared in yet another twisted romance film, “The Beast” alongside Léa Seydoux. The sci-fi romance mystery is helmed by Bertrand Bonello and debuted at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, and will hit theaters in April.
“Femme” will hit theaters on March 22 at the IFC Center in New York and will then expand on March 29 at AMC The Grove in Los Angeles, with a further national expansion from Utopia to follow. Check out the film’s first trailer below.
