For this Out Takes, we brought you some reviews and an exclusive interview for the return of one of our favourite film festivals for 2024. This year’s Mardi Gras Film Festival is back screening in Sydney this February with a selection of on demand content streaming nationwide in March. For full details on the line up of films, events and more, check it out here. Our first review was of a film that received an 11-and-a-half-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival. ‘Monica’ stars Trace Lysette in the lead role as a trans woman navigating the world on her own in LA before receiving a call to head back to Ohio to help care for her estranged dying mother, played by Patricia Clarkson. This is the third feature film from writer director Andrea Pallaoro who joined us from LA to discuss the film, the inspiration behind the lead character, the incredible cast and so much more. We also took a look at another high-profile film in this year’s program, ‘The Mattachine Family’ which stars Nico Tortorella and Emily Hampshire.