What to watch
X
The indie erotic thriller film, X, directed by Scott J. Ramsey, is set for release (both digitally and on DVD) in North America on Feb. 9. The feature-length film takes place on a seaside estate where guests are attending a charity ball hosted by a mysterious foundation, fronted by Christian King (Hope Raymond), known to her guests as “X.” The attendees are armed with nothing but their invitations and a masquerade mask. The ensuing debauchery is all fun and games until an unexpected guest from Christina’s past appears, threatening to expose her darkest secret: she’s a voyeur who keeps hidden cameras in the guest bathroom. Ultimately, Christian has to decide whether she should tell the truth and expose the world she’s created.
X, directed by Scott J. Ramsey, will be available for purchase on DVD and to stream on Amazon and Google Play.
What to read
Kink edited by R.O. Kwon and Garth Greenwell
An anthology of literary short fiction, Kink, co-edited by acclaimed American novelists R.O. Kwon and Garth Greenwell, is debuting on Feb. 9. The collection of short stories explores themes of desire, love, consent and BDSM, diving into bondage, power-play and dominant-submissive relationships. The collection features stories by Roxane Gay, Callum Angus, Alexander Chee, Carmen Maria Machado and more. From private estates, therapists offices, underground sex clubs and a sex theatre in early-20th century Paris, these storytellers display and expore the sexual spectrum of interests and desires.
Kink, edited by R.O. Kwon and Garth Greenwell, will be available for purchase on Amazon in the U.S. and Canada on Feb. 9.
What to listen to
Anything for Selena
The fifth episode of the podcast, Anything for Selena, is set to release Feb. 9. Hosted by journalist Maria Garcia, the 10-episode series revisits the death and legacy of singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. Garcia was nine years old, living on the U.S.-Mexico border, when the singer was murdered. Twenty-five years later, Garcia is determined to understand what it truly means to love, mourn and remember Selena, what that reveals about belonging in America and, ultimately, her own place in this world. As a queer, first-generation Mexican immigrant, Garcia finds parallels between the singer’s story and her own, and provides additional cultural analysis and perspective on what loving Selena in 2021 really entails. The podcast comes out every Tuesday with episodes available in both English and Spanish.
The fifth episode of the podcast Anything for Selena will be available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify on Feb. 9.
What to look at
Bechdel Fest 8: Realign
The Chicago Broken Nose Theatre company presents Bechdel Fest 8: Realign, streaming online from Jan. 29 to Mar. 26. The company’s annual festival of new, short plays features an ensemble of femme, female-identifying, non-binary, trans and queer actors talking about things other than men. This year’s festival showcases eight short plays that centre around characters who are in pivotal moments in their lives, reconsidering their identities and places in this world. On Feb. 5, you can catch the premiere of The High, written by Brynne Frauenhoffer and directed by Lexi Saunders. Plays are released each Friday on the Broken Nose Theatre’s Youtube channel. They are only available for a week before they’re removed and a new play is uploaded.
The Bechdel Fest 8: Realign festival is streaming online from Jan. 29 to Mar. 26 on YouTube.
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