There’s something magical about the movies. Over the years I’ve been captivated by Bastian’s journey to save Fantasia in The NeverEnding Story, learned all the words to Ariel’s “Part of Your World”, pretended I was Whitney Houston (on more than one occasion) as Kevin Costner ran across the stage to save me and even joyously laughed as a Ellen DeGeneres embodied a forgetful blue fish as she helped find Nemo.
But growing up I had no idea that there was a whole cinematic world that reflected what I was going through. Reeling back through my motion picture memory, it was probably Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy that exposed me to movies with LGBT themes (and Ben Affleck).
Fast forward a bit and skip those deleted scenes that one day may end up on the director’s cut of my life and we’re here celebrating Out on Film’s 25th anniversary. While this is definitely a celebration of queer cinema, it’s also a celebration of our community.
While I love a big studio film as much as the next moviegoer, there are only so many ways to play the witty, well-dressed sidekick to some clueless chick. Out on Film stands to showcase that we are infinitely more.
This year’s selections include relevant documentaries Raid of the Rainbow Lounge, eerily reminiscent of our community’s struggle after the Eagle raid, and Married and Counting, an inspiring film that reminds us that the battle for marriage equality is full of love.
Need your funny bone tickled? Then you’ll want to make it out for opening night comedy Gayby or check our Hayley Joel Osment in Sassy Pants.
If you need a film flashback, Out on Film is showing Trick, complete with a Q&A with Director Jim Fall and drag legend Miss Coco Peru, as well as Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which is sure to inspire at least one sing-along (“Wig in a Box”, anyone?).
Drama Queen? Then you’ll definitely want to get tickets for I Want Your Love, a “sexy, messy, complicated film”, and Keep the Lights On, the gritty drama that follows two lovers through their relationship and a crack addiction.
If you’re looking for lesbian love then Out on Film has got you covered better than a Home Depot credit card with its endearing centerpiece film Cloudburst, starring Olympia Dukakis. There’s also the sexually charged A Perfect Ending which has been burning up the box office and ticket sales. We’d recommend getting these before it sells out.
And if you just can’t sit still long enough for a feature length film, Out on Film presents short films for both men and women Saturday afternoon and a set of naughty shorts on the David Atlanta sponsored second night of the festival, Friday October 5th.
With these films and so many more, what are you waiting for? Get your tickets, get your popcorn and get your ass down to Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema and celebrate Out on Film as Out on Film celebrates you!
Out on Film will take place October 4th-11th at Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema. You can visit www.outonfilm.org for limited number of VIP tickets, ticket specials, full schedule and more.
