| Culture Alert: NYC Gay Film Festival |
[May. 19th, 2008|11:07 am] |
There’s a lot of interesting films coming up at NewFest, NYC’s LGBT Film Festival, which runs June 5 – 15. Tickets are $13, and membership tickets are available starting today, with tickets to the public on sale May 27. Hey, Phil/![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) boymeat (and everyone else), you have one more chance to see The Universe of Keith Haring. I saw it at the Tribeca Film Festival with Brian/wonderboynj, and it was excellent, especially for getting to see, hear, and learn about Keith Haring’s art and tragically short life. Here are some highlights of their 20th annual festival:
Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! We are thrilled to welcome writer/director Todd Stephens to NewFest once again with this special work-in-progress screening! NewFest audiences have been involved with Stephens’ wildly popular send up of gay films since 2004, when we hosted a staged reading of the script of Another Gay Movie, which then screened in 2006. Last year, our audience enjoyed a staged reading of the sequel, and we are now excited to bring a filmed version to you for your feedback and enjoyment. Our heroes Andy, Nico, Jarod, and Griff reunite at a gay resort for Spring Break, where they enter a “Gays Gone Wild” contest to determine who can get laid the most. Wet package contests, evil gay fratboys, and genital crabs the size of kittens stand in the way of victory in this outrageous comedy!
Friday, June 13th 10:00pm
Butch Jamie Butch Jamie is a witty, ingratiating gender-bender of a comedy. Decidedly butch struggling actress Jamie (writer/director Michelle Ehlen) has no luck at auditions by dressing up as “Femme Jamie,” so she tries to get a role by being herself, “Butch Jamie,” and is surprised to be offered a role… as a man! Deciding an acting job is better than none, she accepts. But when Jill, a sexy but straight unsuspecting crew member falls for “Male Jamie,” what’s a boy…, no, what’s a girl to do?
Wednesday, June 11th 5:45pm
Chris & Don: A Love Story When 18-year-old Don Bachardy was introduced to 49-year-old Christopher Isherwood in 1950s Malibu, neither man knew it would be the start of a love story that would last for 30 years. Chris & Don chronicles their years together, with the vibrant and engaging Don at this extraordinary documentary’s epicenter. Don, a UCLA student with artistic talents, became the ideal companion for Isherwood, the celebrated British writer best known for his Berlin Stories. Despite their age difference, a relationship blossomed, and Don soon moved in with Chris. Growing up in the LA suburbs enamored with Hollywood, Don had crashed premieres to take photos with celebrities. With Chris, he suddenly found himself hobnobbing with all manner of luminaries from the arts and literary scene, such as WH Auden, Igor Stravinsky, and Tennessee Williams. Encouraged by Chris, Don developed his artistic ambitions in art school and eventually found his own fame as a painter, with Chris as his regular model. Open about their relationship at a time when homosexuality wasn’t discussed in polite conversation, Chris and Don weathered the various storms resulting from their different ages, classes, and backgrounds, and remained together until Chris’ death in 1986. Combining interviews with Don, Chris’ personal journal entries, rare home movies, and archival footage, Guido Santi and Tina Mascara have crafted a very personal story, best demonstrated through the charming animated sequences depicting the horse and cat alter-egos the couple doodled on their personal letters over the years. Chris & Don is a touching, illuminating portrait of the enduring power of love.
Saturday, June 7th 8:00pm
Ebony Chunky Love: Bitch Can't Get a Date! Ask Keith Price how he is, and you can bet he’ll answer “Fabulous!” a term which also describes his one-man show. In Ebony Chunky Love, the NYC-based stand-up comic and Sirius OUT Q radio personality recounts his attempts to find success on the comedy circuit, his experiences as a person of color growing up gay in Texas, and his adventures in dating in the big city. Combining Keith’s act, interviews, and cultural analysis, Ebony Chunky Love offers a funny and intelligent commentary on issues of class, race, and body image in the gay community.
Saturday, June 14th 5:30pm
Eleven Minutes It all comes down to eleven minutes – the length of time for a runway show during Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Jay McCarroll’s been working toward those critical eleven minutes for a year, and Michael Selditch and Rob Tate have been granted an all-access pass to follow the designer as he prepares for the introduction of his first line of clothing. After winning the first season of the über-popular Project Runway, and being declared “the next great American designer,” Jay has a lot riding on this show, and on selling his line afterwards. Eleven Minutes is an always gripping, often quite humorous exploration of the world of fashion, where art must co-exist with business, and where you’re only as good as your last design.
Wednesday, June 11th 7:45pm
Saturday, June 14th 1:00pm
The Houseboy Twenty-something Ricky is feeling abandoned. He’s learned that the couple he has maintained a threesome with over the past year is planning on dumping him when they return home from Christmas holidays. In the meantime, he’s expected to housesit for them during the most depressing time of the year to be alone. To pass the time, and to attempt to feel human connection, he engages in anonymous hook-ups, but is left feeling empty. Has he reached the end of his rope, or could salvation await in the form of a friendly neighbor?
Thursday, June 12th 10:15pm
Karl Rove, I Love You During filming of a documentary about being a supporting actor, Dan Butler (Frasier’s “Bulldog”) discovers the ideal leading actor role – Karl Rove. He quickly develops a one-man show to expose Rove’s machinations as Bush’s chief political advisor, with the ultimate aim of bringing down the Bush White House in the November 2004 elections. But after being exhorted by his acting coach to become the role, the liberal Dan begins to change, alarming his lover and friends. Has the role of a lifetime instead become the love of his life? Karl Rove, I Love You is a politically astute and smart film.
Sunday, June 8th 8:15pm
King Size (France) After ten years together, happy couple Vincent and Nicholas meet the adorable Gabriel, many years their junior. All three are smitten with one another, so why not give life as a threesome a try? All they need is a king size bed, right? But while their friends and families had no problems with their sexuality, this new arrangement unexpectedly creates conflict. Punctuated by fabulous technicolored song and dance numbers, and featuring an attractive and sexy cast, King Size is a delirious treat that will leave you smiling.
Friday, June 6th 8:15pm
Saturday, June 7th 1:00pm
OMG/HaHaHa Cleverly reflective of today’s YouTube/MySpace generation, and shot in an improvisational, documentary style, OMG/HaHaHa opens a window to the lives of several young people in Memphis, TN. A teenager’s video blog frames the various stories, as he introduces his circle of friends and their troubles – from unexpected pregnancy to homophobia, break-ups to dying parents. From its attractive and talented actors’ naturalistic performances to its perfectly chosen soundtrack, OMG/HaHaHa impresses with a unique and inviting charm.
Saturday, June 14th 8:15pm
Pageant Meet Miss Gay Tennessee, Miss Gay Florida, Miss Southern Elegance, Miss Gay Heart of America, and Miss Gay Keystone – five of the 52 contenders for the title of Miss Gay America. But watch out, these female impersonators take the competition very seriously – this is no joke. They’re here to win. Full of glamorous costumes, talent performances, and behind-the-scenes drama, Pageant follows these determined men and their devoted friends and family members as they throw themselves into the contest, winner take all, including the crown!
Monday, June 9th 8:00pm
Friday, June 13th 8:15pm
Ready? OK! A stressed out single mom must juggle work, her directionless and recently returned twin brother, and especially her precocious, and likely gay, nine-year-old son, whose obsession with dresses, dolls, and cheerleading is leading to problems at his Catholic school. Ready? OK! is one of the wonderful delights of this year’s festival. Writer/director James Vasquez (2005’s 29th and Gay)’s indelible characters are lovingly made real through standout performances from Carrie Preston and Lurie Poston, and with a fantastic supporting turn from Michael Emerson (“Ben” from TV’s Lost).
Saturday, June 7th 5:30pm
Sunday, June 8th 1:30pm
The Universe of Keith Haring Keith Haring was one of the most popular artists of the late 20th century, and his images remain some of the most recognizable today, 18 years after his death from AIDS. Christina Clausen’s film literally explores the scope of Haring’s universe, from his personal history to interviews and archival footage of the many friends, associates, and admirers who traveled in his orbit – including Yoko Ono, David LaChapelle, Madonna, Grace Jones, Andy Warhol, Junior Vasquez, and others. The Universe of Keith Haring serves as a wonderful celebration of his life and of the enduring legacy of his art.
Friday, June 13th 5:30pm
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