Lilies Not for Me

"Lilies Not For Me," directed by the talented Will Seefried, made a sensational debut at the Edinburgh Film Festival on August 16, 2024. This captivating film, a profound exploration of the queer experience in the early 1900s, has left an indelible mark on me and the others privileged to see it. Poignant storytelling, stellar performances, and evocative direction.

From the moment the film begins, Seefried masterfully draws the audience into the world of Owen, a complex and relatable protagonist whose journey of self-acceptance is inspiring. The film's narrative is beautifully woven, presenting the struggles of the queer experience in the early 1900s with an authenticity that resonates deeply. The director's ability to capture the nuances of Owen, Philip, and Charlie's emotional experiences is nothing short of brilliant, showcasing his keen insight into the human condition. The actors were perfectly chosen for their roles, and the chemistry and emotion was gripping.

The cinematography is breathtaking, with each frame meticulously composed to enhance the emotional depth of the story. The use of natural light and carefully chosen color palettes creates a visually stunning backdrop.

One of the film's greatest strengths lies in its script, which balances moments of intense emotion and gripping terror, with instances of joy and light. The dialogue is sharp and historically accurate, capturing the essence of human interactions and the internal dialogues we often have with ourselves.

The film's score is another highlight, perfectly complementing the narrative's emotional beats. At times the story left me breathless and with my heart pounding. It adds an extra layer of depth to the film, making certain scenes particularly memorable.

Will Seefried's direction is visionary, guiding the audience through the story with a deft hand. His ability to elicit such powerful performances from his cast, combined with his keen eye for detail, marks him as a director to watch in the coming years. Seefried's understanding of pacing ensures that the film remains engaging throughout, with each scene building upon the last to create a cohesive and impactful narrative.

Lilies Not For Me is a triumph of modern film making - engaging, shocking, unforgettable. 10/10.

The actors did a beautiful job telling this story ( I'm a Fionn O'shea fan). The passion and romance between the actors was so beautiful to view. It's sad the mentality was like that back then towards homosexuals. The LGBTQ family of today needs to show more gratitude of the liberties we now enjoy/take for granted. WOW, this was a beautiful movie.

Errick, Memphis TN USA.

The movie was wonderful, it showed so much and I learned from it. The pacing at times was a little slow but then something happened, and next I knew I only had about 10-20 minutes left of the movie. Im going to be honest, I came for male nudity but got pleasently (or unpleasently) surprised by the depth and power this movie has.

A polemic in the form of a melodrama is never satisfactory. Technical excellence cannot overcome the weakness of trying to pass off this creepy mishmash as worthy cinema. Scenes dart forth and back in a confusing sequence from one time to another in a dizzying manner, ultimately reaching a cautionary conclusion : This will happen to you if you fool around with Mother Nature. Of course it is possible to accept this film as a documentary. If so it stands on its own rather well. And there are moments in which positive human values are played out nicely. A student of social history will find much to admire in how the lessons of an historic outrage against justice are portrayed.

Just witnessed the world premiere here in Edinburgh International Film Festival 2024. An unexpectedly beautiful film. I braced myself for tears but left with a smile. It's a heartbreaking exploration of the dark side of the queer history in 1910s and 1920s , exposing the horrors of conversion therapy and unethical medical experiments. Yet, it's also a stunningly tender portrayal of love, loss, and the complexities of human emotion. The 1920s setting is simply breathtaking; it evokes the same sense of longing and beauty as Call Me By Your Name. I applaud the film for balancing the harrowing depictions of queer history with heartwarming portrayals of love. A truly remarkable film. Kudos!