Other meanings of Flare
Cinema
Flare is a 2018 Australian independent drama film written and directed by Norman Yeend, based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Jackie May. The film stars John Jarratt as Steve, a father navigating his relationship with his transgender son (played by Brenton Prince). It premiered at the Brisbane International Film Festival and had a limited theatrical release in Australia in 2019.
The film centers on Steve, a widowed truck driver who has been estranged from his adult child for several years. When his son Kayne returns home to announce that he now lives as a woman named Alex, Steve must confront his own conservative beliefs and the memories of the grief that fractured their relationship. The narrative unfolds through the family's struggle to rebuild trust, often set against the vast and isolating Australian outback.
The emotional climax occurs at a small-town event where Alex faces hostility from locals, but Steve publicly accepts her, leading to a tentative reconciliation. The film emphasizes themes of unconditional love and the courage required to change deeply held attitudes.
Norman Yeend adapted Jackie May's 2013 novel of the same name, marking his directorial debut. Filming took place in Victoria, Australia, including the regional towns of Benalla and Myrtleford. The production faced funding challenges and was supported by a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, which raised over $20,000 to cover post-production costs.
Flare premiered at the Brisbane International Film Festival in December 2018, and also screened at several LGBT film festivals, including the Portland, Dallas, and Outfest Fusion festivals in the United States. A limited theatrical release in Australia followed in January 2019, with digital distribution later.
The film is notable for its focus on a father's journey toward acceptance, rather than centering primarily on the transgender character. Reviewers praised the performances, particularly Jarratt's departure from his typical menacing roles, and appreciated its empathetic treatment of rural conservatism. Critics noted that the film's pacing is slow and its storytelling relies on familiar tropes, but the emotional honesty of the lead performances resonates.
The film was positively received at LGBT film festivals, where it was praised for depicting a rarely seen dynamic. Some critics noted that the film's message of acceptance could appear oversimplified, yet they acknowledged its importance in representing older Australian perspectives in LGBT cinema.
Jackie May's novel was self-published, and the film was produced with a relatively small budget, relying heavily on in-kind contributions from the cast and crew. Despite the film's modest distribution, it has been used in community discussions about transgender acceptance in rural Australia. Notably, the role of Alex was cast with a trans actor, which was a key decision for the filmmakers.
The film is perhaps best remembered for John Jarratt's performance, which challenged audience expectations after his famous horror roles. It also featured supporting performances by Gary Sweet and Jenny Feegan. While not a major commercial release, the film received recognition at Overlook Film Festival (New Orleans) and the New Renaissance Film Festival (London), winning awards or screenings that helped extend its reach beyond Australia.
The film was a passion project for director Norman Yeend, who had long wanted to 'break down walls' regarding the topic of transgender acceptance.
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