August 04, 2004
Queer films from around the world
Out on Screen, a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered film festival will be kicking off this week (Aug 5th - Aug 15th) in Vancouver. Come and check out new exciting films with stories from India, Egypt, Uganda, Honduras, Namibia, Philippines and more!
Out on Screen [Thanks Gloria]
Schema Picks for the 2004 Out on Screen Film Festival
Tales of the Night Fairies
Saturday August 7 / 1:30 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
A Calcutta-based collective of men, women and transgendered sexworkers demands decriminalization of adult sex work and the right to form a trade union. The disempowered and taboo step into the light and demand, not only their rights, but dignity and joy as well.
The Pink Mirror (Gulabi Aaina)
Tuesday August 10 / 9:30 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
Despite the laws that criminalize homosexual activity in India, queer men, drag queens and queer activists continue to boldly make their voices heard. The Pink Mirror is a riotous spicy mix of dance, drama and desire.
Manjuben Truck Driver
Thursday August 12 / 5:00 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
"I drive like a bastard," she grins. "I always like to be in front." Meet Manjuben, female truck driver, as she navigates treacherous mountain roads and the patriarchal domain in India.
Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing
World
Wednesday August 11 / 5:00 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
A compelling examination of the struggles and triumphs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Global South, Dangerous Living shares personal stories coming out of Egypt, Uganda, India, Honduras, Namibia and the Philippines.
The Road to Love (Tarik El Hob)
Wednesday August 11 / 7:00 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
Winner of numerous awards, including the Best Film prize at last year’s Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, The Road to Love is an erotically charged exploration of self-discovery and sexual identity.
Revolution
Sunday August 15 / 7:00 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown / Closing Gala
Filmed live during her sold-out 2003 national tour of Revolution, Cho delivers another riotous performance that irreverently attacks the status quo. Cho tackles the homophobia, sexism and racism running rampant in American culture with characteristic panache.
Komrades
Sunday August 8 / 9:30 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
Komrades is an absorbing, often disturbing and undeniably erotic examination of the attitudes toward comradeship, male bonding and fraternity among young naval cadets within the Russian armed forces.
One in a Minyan
Monday August 9 / 7:00 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
Minyan (‘min-y&n): the quorum of 10 adult Jews required for communal worship. This funny compilation of Jewish movies is sure to have all you feygelehs, shvesters and queers, Jews and goys alike, chuckling in your seats.
Goldfish
Memory
Thursday August 12 / 9:30 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
A light-hearted romp that perfectly captures the giddiness of new romance, Goldfish Memory looks at the dangers, delights, difficulties and excitement of seeking love in the 21st century.
Reservation
Friday August 13 / 7:00 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown
Reservation-Mike Goes Home is a moving tale of Mike, a young Two-Spirited Secwepemc (Shuswap) man, who moves to Vancouver to find the freedom and safety to be openly gay, but returns home to the Alkali Lake Shuswap Reserve. Film followed by a live performance by Duane Ghastant’ Aucoin (Kichx Anagaat Yatx’I -Children of the Rainbow).
Go Dutch: Transgender Program from the Lowlands
Sunday August 15 / 1:00 pm / Cinemark Tinseltown/ Discussion to follow
Curated by Kam Wai Kui, festival director, Netherlands Transgender Film Festival,
this program showcases documentary and satiric responses to the long history
of Dutch media portrayals of the trans community as victims.
I just attended the festival's opening gala. Amazing turnout and Gloria Wong's opening speech was great! The gala featured a screening of D.E.B.S. (as in, "debutants" - sorry, I didn't get it until the end of the film). It was terrifically funny! Coy, smart humour, witty banter, and sophisticated use of family and teen film comedy formats to bring to light some heavy duty issues. Doesn't go into them too deeply, but that's not the point of this film. The combined play on Spy Kids (which is a Disney family film format) and Sugar and Spice (hurray for cheerleaders robbing the bank) creates some very funny satire on the whole teen comedy genre (and there's a little bit of Lara Croft in there too). In some ways I couldn't tell who the film was for (being at the Queer Film Fest, you assume), but really, I think the kissing scenes would make any audience howl (and this one cheered!). Would totally recommend it when it comes to wide release.
What I love best about this film festival is that it is very much "social activism meets art" in a way that is perfectly accessible to the average person. So it's relevant. Not just for the gay, lesbian and transgendered community, but for all communities that deal with these issues. It touches issues of discrimination, inequality, human rights - but really, a lot of the films are about love - the longing, complexities, nuances, passions and the all that drama. What could be more basically human than that.
Treat yourself to some great film! And be sure to share your thoughts on the Schema festival picks. Enjoy!
Posted by: Alden at August 6, 2004 11:03 PM
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