British-Iraqi drag artist and film-maker Amrou Al-Kadhi makes a strong feature debut with this coming-of-age dramedy of queer identity, which is heartfelt if slightly glib. It is well acted and fervent in its sympathy for the protagonist, though finally dismissive about the flawed person with whom that protagonist falls painfully in love. But perhaps survival and self-affirmation means dismissing those who are holding you back.
Bilal Hasna plays drag artist Layla, formerly (dead)named Latif, whose strict Muslim family is unaware of this vocation, although Layla’s affectionate and unjudging sister Fatima (Sarah Agha) picks up on something in the way that Layla dances at her wedding party. Layla’s lowest moment comes during a special daytime show with other queer performers at a corporation which wants to Pridewash its brand. The show ends in chaotic catastrophe, but Layla locks eyes with suit-wearing, straight-acting employee Max (Louis Greatorex), who impulsively bunks off work to come with Layla to a club, and soon they are having a passionate but secret affair.
