Amrou Al-Kadhi’s debut feature film Layla, which premiered at the 2024 Reel Asian Film Festival, is a dazzling exploration of identity, love, and community within the vibrant, sometimes chaotic queer scene of North London.
Amrou Al-Kadhi’s debut feature film Layla, which premiered at the 2024 Reel Asian Film Festival, is a dazzling exploration of identity, love, and community within the vibrant, sometimes chaotic queer scene of North London. Anchored by a standout performance from Bilal Hasna as the titular character, the film balances heartfelt drama with a riotous flair for the theatrical, making it a memorable addition to this year’s festival lineup.
The story follows Layla (Bilal Hasna,) a Palestinian drag queen grappling with the pressures of making ends meet and navigating their identity amidst familial and societal expectations. A botched performance at a corporate event unexpectedly propels them to viral fame, setting the stage for a romance with Max (played by Louis Greatorex), a reserved marketing executive. This unlikely pairing fuels much of the film’s tension and charm as Layla’s extravagant world collides with Max’s more subdued existence. The relationship challenges not only the protagonists but also the supportive friends in Layla’s queer circle, who question whether this newfound love is a healthy and affirming path for Layla.
What makes this film special is its realness- queerness is as natural and normal as breathing air, and each character lives their life with that confidence. It’s a form of representation the Queer community deserves. The film is full of energy through incredible drag performances, an infectious soundtrack full of club anthems that feel nostalgic and enviable costume designs. The grit and glamour of Layla’s double life is so perfectly reflected in all of these elements, including her eccentric friend group, no detail was missed in the creation of the world and person.
Hasna’s portrayal of Layla is both tender and raw- there were moments where I could feel her unbearable pain. There was so much depth and nuance to their performance that left me feeling uncomfortable. I couldn’t imagine having to hide half of myself and still me a functioning member of society- Layla’s resilience and vulnerability allowed me to stand her shoes, and that was an educational experience for me.
However, while Layla gets so much right in tone and balance with these heavy themes, I felt the sex scenes were too much. Al-Kadhi sacrificed a lot of intimacy for gratuitous sex and that totally weakened the story for me. These scenes need to make sense and drive a story along. The first hook-up with Layla’s love interest made sense to me. It was balanced with a strong, spiritual connection between the two and it made their first time together feel special and romantic. But after that, it felt like a distraction from the narratives emotional depth. I know these moments were aimed to emphasize the intimacy and passion between the characters, but it made their development fall empty for me.
Ultimately, I did enjoy the film and will be adding to my Queer film library. It is a beautiful story and leaves a lasting impression.
Layla played at Reel Asian ’24. For more information, click here.
