Bilal Hasna is transforming into Layla, the title drag queen in Amrou Al-Kadhi‘s feature directorial debut.
“3 Body Problem” star Hasna leads “Layla,” which centers on an eponymous British-Palestinian drag queen in London who falls in love with an advertising executive (Louis Greatorex), all while navigating their identity around family and friends. Think a modern-day, queer take on “Romeo & Juliet.”
The British indie film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and later opened the BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival. “Layla” also screened at the London Film Festival and Newfest.
Director Al-Kadhi previously worked as a drag performer before becoming a filmmaker. Al-Kadhi acted in Steven Spielberg’s “Munich,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” “The Souvenir: Part II,” and “American Horror Stories.” They helmed shorts “Anemone,” “Run(a)Way Arab,” “Clash,” and “Define Gender: Victoria Sin” before making their feature debut with “Layla.”
IndieWire’s film editor Ryan Lattanzio deemed “Layla” a “sensitive, well-acted, and confidently shot feature,” especially for a directorial debut.
“Al-Kadhi deliberately sets up a kind of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ story here, where Layla and Max seem so unmatched for each other in all ways, Layla a much more outsized covered-in-glitter proud version of themselves where Max hides behind neutral clothing, and a vacant corporate job and bland, sterile shoebox apartment to match it,” Lattanzio wrote. “What’s undeniable and eventually pretty hot is the chemistry between Hasna and Greatorex, who share a number of explicit sex scenes together that also help shape the arc of their characters: Layla, eventually and unannounced, shifts their bedroom dynamic into something much kinkier involving a high heel and lubricant. Hardly scandalizing for anyone remotely tapped into niche sex, but refreshing to see onscreen regardless.”
The review continues, “The message at the end of ‘Layla’ suggests that love does not and should not trump all, even when your identity is at stake. Even through the worst of heartaches, there’s never reason to regret a broken relationship that will ultimately make you stronger (hopefully?) because of it.”
“Layla” actor Hasna will next lend his voice to franchise prequel animated film “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.” He will also star in Showtime’s “The Agency” alongside Michael Fassbender, Richard Gere, and Jodie Turner-Smith.
“Layla” premieres November 22 in U.K. theaters from Curzon. The film is still seeking U.S. distribution. Check out the trailer below.
