If you wandered past Robson Square on the evening of August 13th, you may have glanced down to the ice rink and been a little puzzled. There was some swing-dancing happening initially, but then as people filtered in, the swathes of blue light began to encompass more than your run-of-the-mill mingling. To celebrate the kick-off of the 27th annual Queer Film Festival, attendees were graced by the presence of fire breathers, circus performers, and acrobats. If you hung around, you also likely took in some characteristically incredible performances from Shanda Leer, Anna Propriette, and ManUp’s PonyBoy.
It was a celebration by cinephiles of all sorts for cinephiles of even more sorts, loudly and stylishly setting off what’s going to be ten beautifully crafted days of seventy films (read about Program Director Shana Myara’s excited approach to the lineup here).
Some of SAD Mag’s lovely and talented writers will be preparing reviews and interviewing the creators of some choice films from this years lineup. Here’s what we’re most excited for!
“The infamous writer who sparked “the postmodern trial of the century,” JT LeRoy, a 15-year-old trans* sex worker, was hailed for writing heart wrenching novels. Chuck Palahniuk described JT as having the “authentic voice of someone who suffers.” Known for being deeply shy, JT LeRoy was encircled by a Warholian world of celebrities including Winona Ryder, Rosario Dawson, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Bernhard, Gus Van Sant, Shirley Manson, Lou Reed and numerous writers and agents. But at the peak of JT’s 10-year rise came a rapid fall from grace. Was this the world’s largest literary scandal? Or a profound uncovering of our literary biases? Director Marjorie Sturm crafts a haunting, introspective documentary that questions artistic voice, freedom of speech and how far we will go to achieve our dreams.”
We’re excited to have an interview with director Marjorie Sturm to go along with the screening of JT LeRoy!
“This youth-full night of short films is just the tall order you’ve been looking for. We start this night by celebrating the young local filmmakers who won this year’s Rise Against Homophobia Youth Short Video Contest. Then we venture into an amazing international selection of shorts that delve into the awkward, the painful, and the silly moments of growing up queer. From first crushes in Mexico to dealing with friends – and enemies – in Denmark, to the perils of social media and nosy parents in Taiwan. “
Afterwards, the films were discussed by panelists Vi Read, Tahia Ahmed, and Jessie Anderson! The lineup of films to be shown include RISE AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA YOUTH SHORT VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS, and Love Intersections’ Regalia: Pride in Two Spirits from Canada; Carina, from Mexico by Sandra Reynoso; Big Time-My Doodled Diary by Sonali Gulati from India and the USA; CAGED (UITGESPROKEN) from the Netherlands by Lazlo and Dylan Tonk; and Penguins at the North Pole, by Stella Lin.
“This powerful film by writer-director July Jung presents a stunning reflection on immigration, rural life, addiction and abuse—and the heartbreak of finding no safe refuge in family or law. Young-Nam, an outsider with an unspoken scandal, is sent from Seoul to a small village to take over as police chief, and is soon drawn into the personal dramas of the locals. When her ex-lover arrives, Young-Nam’s defense of a girl in the town becomes suspect. A beautifully done, sometimes disturbing, and ultimately exquisite film, July Jung’s A Girl at My Door captures the fantasies and hopes of two people finding hard-won redemption.”
This film famously garnered a three-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival–don’t miss it!
“Stephen Cone (The Wise Kids) brings us another smart incisive film full of depth, guilt, pain, and peace. Traversing the common experience of growing up gay in a home where faith rules, Henry Gamble is turning 17 and his worlds of church, school, adult mentors, family, and youth group are colliding. When Logan (a quiet youth from his church group) arrives, Henry is pulled into the awkward longing and distancing that often comes with adolescent desire. A bold and complex image of the inner struggles of those who hold faith, this film is a sharp work with believable characters, excellent acting, and the beautiful reminder that “the trouble with growing up is that you are always becoming yourself.”
“A powerful adaptation of Markus Orths’ novel of the same name, The Chambermaid is a dream come true for every kinkster with a bent for complex portrayals of sex work, mental health and happy endings. This slow-burning drama offers up a make-you-wait-for-it depiction of a refreshingly weird duo of characters. Lynn’s highly regulated and mundane life as a cleaner at a hotel is transformed once she hires Chiara, a dominatrix sex worker who adds enough blast to her world to open her up and help her regain intimacy through kink. Starkness mixes with whimsy in this arthouse flick that amps up in the same way that love and recovery so often do.”
“Patricia Velasquez (Arrested Development, The L Word), also known as the first Latina lesbian supermodel, stars in this intimate love story as Liz, a party girl and heartbreaker who has a reputation for being irresponsible— and irrevocably seductive. She also has a secret. After she meets up with a group of friends for their annual celebration in the Caribbean, the mysterious Eva joins them and their lives become intertwined. With a lively cast including an ebullient group of friends, director Fina Torres brings us a meditation on the invisibility of death, the limits of life, and gaining what we need when we least expect it.Liz in September boldly reminds us that the best is yet to come.”
We’re going to have reviews of all of these films up in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!