A suggestion that I have is start the story in the presents and then maybe someone says something that triggers a flashback? You can use static sounds and a static background and then go into the flashback and then flash forward.
Another idea you could use is maybe the MC could be watching TV (A background with a TV screen off) and then zoom into the TV. Then make a static overlay appear, kind of flickering by using opacity and then maybe @transition fade in black 1 and then introduce the MC’s life as the film.
^^^ You can use this zooming in idea for a lot of things. Books etc.
You could even do a black and white effect to give off that more old-fashioned TV atmosphere.
If you need help making overlays, you can request at my overlay shop:
As for directing to scenes to not come off offensive, avoid using slurs. Maybe, you can use text effects instead to emphasise something someone said insulting. Unfortunately, I can’t help much with homophobia 
I hope I managed to help a bit though! 