#TIFF23: “SUMMER QAMP” REVIEW

By George Kozera

SUMMER QAMP take the audience to Camp fYrefly in rural Alberta, where queer, non-binary, and trans teens can spend a few days hanging out and just getting to be kids together “without any of the explanations.” As a group, these young adults are boisterous, adventurous and just thrilled to be in a safe environment where they won’t be judged or bullied; but in their one-on-one interviews with the Director Jen Markowitz, they are more subdued and reflective. They talk about their gender dysphoria, gender identity and sexuality issues with insight and honesty. They are also young. I had to giggle when one participant said they wanted to be either “a criminal justice lawyer or a film director.”

SUMMER QAMP is primarily a talking heads Documentary, and it must be commended for showing a world that may be foreign to some but I think the Director tried to tackle too many issues, some successfully and some redundant. I wish Markowitz had included more teenagers from different ends of the LGBTQ+ spectrum.  I found myself vacillating between fascinated and bored.

SUMMER QAMP screens at TIFF ’23:

 Saturday, September 9 at 12:15 PM at Scotiabank

Sunday, September 10 at 4:30 PM at Scotiabank