Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

[miaedu]

Saturday
November 14, 2009 11:00 PM
Gateway Cinema

Directed by Richard Abel
US , 1972 100 min , dvd
RETROSPECTIVE SCREENING

Few names or faces are more emblematic of 1970's gay life than that of porn icon and artist Peter Berlin.

Nights in Black Leather is both an exciting erotic romp and a time capsule of gay life in San Francisco circa 1972. Peter Berlin stars as himself, a German immigrant walking around looking for adventure.

Originally titled Post Haste Hustle, the film was renamed Nights in Black Leather by the distributor and went on to become an international sensation, playing for months at adult cinemas in the US and Europe.

Initially released as starring "Peter Burian" the star changed his name to Peter Berlin (to avoid a lawsuit with an actor of the same name) and thus the legend was born.

For decades no known intact 16mm negative or print existed and the film was thought to be lost. An original negative was recently discovered in Southern California and was used to create a brand new 16mm print. We owe gratitude to the Legacy Project Film Preservation, a venture of Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archives for the restoration and preservation of this film.

Slip on your harness, sit back and enjoy this late screening of Nights in Black Leather.

For more information on the life, photographs, and films of Peter Berlin please visit www.peter-berlin.com.

 

[miaedu]

Sunday
November 15, 2009 2:00 PM
Gateway Cinema

Hats Off

Directed by Jyll Johnstone
US , 2008 84 min , video

With the style and grace of Katharine Hepburn, the smoky wit and wisdom of Dorothy Parker, and her own personal philosophy, "rise above it," 93-year-old actress Mimi Weddell is truly an American original.

Hats Off captures the essence of this most unusual woman. At age 90 she was named by New York Magazine as one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in New York." Mimi's full-time acting career began at age 65 upon the passing of her husband and her daily routine mocks the traditional image of old age. Shot over the course of 10 years by critically-acclaimed, award-winning director.

Jyll Johnstone, Hats Off covers a time span when most seniors are planning their funerals and estate bequests. This film follows the breathtaking pace of Weddell, a bohemian free spirit who goes from grueling 14-hour days at cattle call auditions to weekly gymnastics and dance workouts.

Mimi is forced to share her east side Manhattan apartment with her two more traditionally-minded grown children and a grandchild. Like most families, their relationship is complex and adds a fascinating layer of depth to an already compelling and entertaining film. Though not gay, Hats Off will undoubtedly have a unique appeal to gay audiences.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vqJMYE6Txo[/ame]

 

[miaedu]

Sunday
November 15, 2009 2:30 PM
Las Olas Riverfront Cinema

Give Me Your Hand

Directed by Pascal-Alex Vincent
France , 2008 80 min , 35mm
South Florida Premiere

Vincent Antoine and Quentin are gorgeous 18-year-old twins who live with their father and work as bakers in a French village. When their estranged mother dies in Spain, they set off to attend the funeral, without telling their father.

The journey turns out to be more difficult than either had anticipated and a rift threatens to split the two apart.

The brothers must struggle to accept each other as individuals and to find their places in an uncertain world.

This film is an official selection of the prestigious New Director/New Films series of New York's Lincoln Center. Give Me Your Hand has minimal dialogue, beautiful cinematography, and a well-crafted animated beginning. Filmmaker Pascal-Alex Vincent creates a beautiful and powerful film that lingers on the mind.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBeifkAoEjE[/ame]

 

[miaedu]

Sunday
November 15, 2009 5:00 PM
Gateway Cinema

Make The Yuletide Gay

Directed by Rob Williams
US , 2009 89 min , video

The adorable Olaf "Gunn" Gunnunderson, an out-and-proud gay college student, crawls back into the closet to survive the holidays with his parents-the perennially stoned Sven and the reindeer-festooned Anya. Gunn keeps his cool as his quirky Midwestern mother tries to reunite him with his high school sweetheart, Abby. When his boyfriend, Nathan finds himself alone in his family's New York City penthouse, he decides to surprise Gunn with a visit.

With Nathan showing up unannounced, Gunn must put on a charade to keep the relationship and his homosexuality a secret. Relegated to "roommate" status, Nathan good-naturedly goes along with the ruse - for a bit. With pressure mounting from all sides, will Gunn come out before the truth does?

Rob Williams, the director of Long-Term Relationship, Back Soon and 3-Day Weekend, brings us a hilarious addition to the gay holiday genre. Come and see this comical film with your community as we get into the holiday spirit.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H19PooygoA[/ame]

 

[miaedu]

Sunday
November 15, 2009 5:15 PM
Las Olas Riverfront Cinema

The Art of Being Straight

Directed by Jesse Rosen
US , 2008 71 min , video

Smart and handsome Jon has just moved to Los Angeles from New York to take a break from his longtime girlfriend. He moves in with college "bro" Andy, whose pals incessantly banter, "That is so gay." This is essentially harmless - unless you're the only gay guy in the room.

Jon is hardly comfortable with his shifting Kinsey scale placement. His new job as bottom-rung gofer at a major ad agency is fraught with sexual tension as his studly boss barrages him with thinly veiled come-ons. Infamous as a womanizer, Jon is surprised when he ultimately falls for his boss' seductive charms. This sends him spiraling into a world of sexual confusion and Jon is reminded of a situation much like the one his lesbian friend encounters during a brief romance with a man.

Ultimately, each of the friends discovers that acceptance in modern American society is not as difficult as they thought. They learn that social mores no longer dictate who we are and that each decision we make has a direct effect on our identity.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPOlbgT-_p8[/ame]

 

[miaedu]

Sunday
November 15, 2009 7:00 PM
Gateway Cinema

Redwoods

Directed by David Lewis
US , 2009 82 min , video
South Florida Premiere

Set amidst the romantic splendor of Northern California's Russian River, Redwoods tells the story of an unshakable love and the difficult choices it can force one to make.

Everett and Miles are in a comfortably platonic relationship that is void of any passion and held together for their learning disabled son.

When his family travels out of town, introverted Everett finally has time to himself. This changes when the strikingly handsome writer, Chase pulls up in front of his house.

hot amidst ancient redwoods and breathtaking California vistas, this film is both original and incredibly romantic. This is a refreshingly honest film that takes viewers through an incredibly emotional journey of the heart. Beautifully acted and superbly written, Redwoods is a stunning ode to the power of love that will stay with you long after the final flicker.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJncuJujc1c[/ame]

 

[miaedu]

Sunday
November 15, 2009 7:00 PM
Las Olas Riverfront Cinema

I Can't Think Straight

Directed by Shamim Sarif
UK , 2008 82 min , 35mm
South Florida Premiere

I Can't Think Straight is an entertaining, lighthearted romantic comedy from South African director Shamim Sarif. This sweet story is about two young women from different cultures, one Indian the other Palestinian, who meet and fall in love. Some of you will immediately recognize the stunning lead actresses Lisa Ray and Sheetal Sheth from the film The World Unseen.

Tala is serially engaged to one man after another. To their relief, Tala's parents
believe that she has finally settled on one man. To mark the occasion the parents embark on preparations to throw a wedding extravaganza like no other. In the mean time Tala meets Leyla, who is dating her best friend. The two are polar opposites-Leyla is the shy and clumsy type, who longs to be a writer while Tala is provocative and rebellious. As Leyla comes out of her shell and Tala's cavalier attitude melts, the two women realize that they were meant for each other. The problem is that the once independent and aloof Tala suddenly gets cold feet. She turns out to be more invested in tradition and the opinion of other people than she thought. Leyla on the other hand asserts her independence and comes to terms with her sexuality. Watch the film to see how things turn out, as I Can't Think Straight, with its universal cultural themes and its witty dialog, promises to delight.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W8igqK_QWU[/ame]

 

[Chocras]

Just a quick note: Two of the films that were in this festival are now on DVD.
Redwoods - I didn't like it as much as the OP, but the actors are attractive and the film is a gorgeous, glowing justification for cheating on your partner with whom you're raising an autistic child.

Shank - an excellent movie! I'm suprised there's not a new thread with screen caps of the racy scenes already!

 

[Chocras]

Sorry, there's one more that I forgot....

Wrecked - which was just plain awful! Not even worth the sex scenes!