The Miseducation of Cameron Post

 

Desiree Akhavan follows up Appropriate Behaviour with this tremendous drama about a teen sent off to a 'gay reform camp' that scooped the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.

 

When Cameron Post (Chloë Grace Moretz) is caught making out with a girl on prom night, she is promptly shipped off to a religious summer camp to undergo conversion therapy alongside other teens "struggling with SSA" (same sex attraction). At the facility, she is subjected to outlandish discipline, dubious "de-gaying" methods, and earnest Christian rock songs - but the unusual setting also provides her with an unlikely gay community. For the first time, Cameron finds solidarity with friends (played by Sasha Lane and Forrest Goodluck), and learns how to navigate (and survive) an intolerant world.

 

As the Guardian said in their 5-star review: "The Miseducation of Cameron Post will be a panacea for gay kids for years to come" - this a queer female-centred coming of age film that brims with authenticity, hope and humour - and it's long overdue.