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LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
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Directed by Tina Mascara and Guido Santi (USA, 2007, 90 min., BetaSP, Color/BW) Pre-release screening courtesy of Zeitgeist Films QFest is proud to close our twelfth edition with the moving and inspiring real life story of Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy’s 34-year love affair. Despite their own age difference, class, and social backgrounds, Isherwood (whose “Berlin Stories” inspired Cabaret) and artist Barchardy remained a couple for over three decades, beginning in a time when gay relationships were simply unheard of, up until Isherwood’s death in 1986. Dissecting their resilient relationship, filmmakers Tina Mascara and Guido Santi uncover journal entries, home movies, and of course, Bachardy himself, humorously and touchingly recounting his life with Isherwood, through thick and thin, and in a particularly moving entry, tells of the two’s alter egos depicted as a horse and cat, which the two personified in personal letters over the years. With a relationship grounded in love and artistic inspiration, Chris and Don’s story is an illuminating love letter to people of all persuasions. In collaboration with: ALLEY THEATRE IMPRINT HOUSTON GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER |
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Directed by Isaac Julien (UK, 2008, 76 min., BetaSP, Color/BW) Powerful and evocative, celebrated artist Isaac Julien’s contemplative documentary is a lovingly crafted swan song to the highly-gifted and controversial experimental artist, Derek Jarman. From his beginnings as a set designer, to his first explosive feature, SEBASTIANE, the first and only truly gay interpretation of the life of the legendary saint, DEREK also uncovers the uncensored diaries of the artist, who spoke very candidly of his living with AIDS (Jarman’s last film, BLUE, was shot entirely in blue as both a tribute to the works of Yves Klein, as well as a reflection of his own impending blindness from the disease). Featuring clips from early home movies, interviews with friends and fellow artists, and narrated by Jarman’s muse, Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton, DEREK is an illuminating testament to the enduring legacy of the life and work of this great artist. Preceded by: "The Queen is Dead: A Film by Derek Jarman" Directed by Derek Jarman (UK, 1986, 13 min., 35mm, Color/BW) Rare Archive Print! Jarman’s visionary aesthetic is memorably encapsulated in these three highly original and unforgettable music videos for the English rock band The Smith’, including “The Queen is Dead,” Panic,” and “There is a Light That Never Goes Out.” In collaboration with: DIVERSEWORKS AURORA PICTURE SHOW |
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Directed by Tony Richardson (USA, 1965, 122 min., 35mm, B/W) Terry Southern (Dr. Strangelove) and Christopher Isherwood (Chris & Don: A Love Story) teamed to pen this sardonic and outrageous adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's scathing satire of California’s mortuary business. Robert Morse stars as Dennis Barlow, a hapless, run of the mill poet who while vacationing in Hollywood, finds himself suddenly arranging his artist uncle's funeral (Sir John Gielgud, in a performance clearly inspired by Isherwood’s own experience of Hollywood). Thrust into a bizarre world where death is just another commercial opportunity, Dennis becomes infatuated with a kooky mortuary cosmetologist (Anjanette Comer), herself the object of the strange affections of “Joyboy” (a brilliantly hilarious Rod Steiger), and soon finds himself making ends meet working at a pet cemetery for the tragically rich. Clearly inspiring John Waters’ own cheeky sense of humor (wait ‘til you see Ayllene Gibbons as Steiger’s mother!), The Loved One is a bitingly funny tale of greed, hypocrisy, and the Great American Way of Life. Also starring Jonathan Winters in a dual role, Dana Andrews, Milton Berle, James Coburn, Roddy McDowell, Tab Hunter, and Liberace, among others. |
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(Le Nouveau monde) Directed by Étienne Dhaene (France, 2008, 95 min., BetaSP, Color, In French with English subtitles) Lucie and Marion want to have a baby. They’ve watched their best lesbian friends do it, so it can’t be that hard, can it? They have no idea – from the hunt for sperm to dealing with the unusual and hurtful reactions from family members and friends, they soon wish they had been better prepared. But even when things start looking better, their lesbian moms role models split up, and their parents still don’t seem to be coming around. What kind of world will they be bringing their baby into? The New World is charming and funny. Loving couple Lucie and Marion decide to have a baby. Simple enough in this day and age, right? After all, they’ve shared the joy of seeing their best lesbian friends have children, so why can’t they? They have no idea! From the hunt for a decent sperm donor to the drama of unsupportive family members, the poor dears have just embarked on a wearying journey. And just as their wish becomes reality, not only have their best friends filed for divorce and entered a messy custody battle, but now Lucie and Marion’s own relationship has hit troubled waters. Add to the mix a possessive biological father with a fetish for stuffed animals, and you have the year’s most jubilant comedy celebrating the ups, downs, and ups again of gay parenting! In collaboration with: MFAH FILMS THE FRENCH CONSULATE HOUSTON ASSISTHERS PFLAG |
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Directed by Beatrice Alda and Jennifer Brooke (USA, 2008, 63 min., BetaSP, Color) We may live in a time when those coming out are doing so at ever-younger ages, but it remains important to remember that for many years before, coming out wasn’t always so easy. For the five individuals featured in Beatrice Alda and Jennifer Brooke’s moving documentary, OUT LATE, each was compelled to remain in the closet well into their 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s before openly living their lives as gay, lesbian, or even transgender. Having spent most of their lives in the closet, each discovers a second chance to live their life all over again, inspired and challenged by the prospect of starting over and living the life they were always entitled to have. In collaboration with: SWAMP GULF COAST ACHIVE & MUSEUM OF GAY LESBIAN, TRANSGENDER HISTORY HOUSTON GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER MONTROSE COUNSELING CENTER WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION |
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Directed by Robert Cary (USA, 2007, 96 min., BetaSP, Color) Chad Allen delivers a powerhouse performance in Robert Cary's inspiring tale of love and redemption. Mark, a struggling drug addict, is placed by his family into a Christian recovery facility that specializes in “sexual brokenness.” Guided by the tough but loving Gayle (Judith Light), who lost her own son to suicide, Mark accepts religion and even renounces his lifestyle, all the while developing a close friendship with fellow resident Scott (Robert Gant). However, as Scott’s issues begin to raise doubts about his own convictions, an undeniable mutual attraction forms between the two men, provoking Gayle into a battle to not only “save” Mark, but also to overcome her own demons. In collaboration with: HOUSTON FILM COMMISSION SWAMP RESURRECTION MCC HATCH PFLAG |
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