Trans bodybuilders, controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe,
teenagers sent to a gay aversion therapy camp, and New York’s legendary
Studio 54 are just a few of the subjects that will be on view during the
36th annual Outfest. The Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, presented by
HBO, will run from July 12th through July 22nd.
Outfest
is an internationally-renown, non-profit organization that promotes
equality year-round by creating, sharing and protecting LGBTQ stories
on the screen. With two-thirds of the festival’s content this year
directed by women, people of color and trans filmmakers, Outfest once
again brings together the most diverse and highest-quality LGBTQ films
from around the world.
“I am incredibly proud of all the ways
Outfest Los Angeles continues to step onto a larger stage,” stated
Christopher Racster, Outfest’s Executive Director. “This year, the
Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences named Outfest as an Academy
Award-qualifying film festival for their Short Film Awards. This
recognition acknowledges our long history of discovering extraordinary short films and the talented filmmakers who have used Outfest as a platform to launch their careers.”
This year's festival will also take place in more Los Angeles
neighborhoods than ever before. New venues include Plaza de la Raza, the
Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater, the California African American
Museum, and Regal Cinemas at LA Live. Outfest will also be returning to
the newly-renovated, outdoor Ford Theatre for several screenings under
the stars.
Outfest 2018 will open on July 12th at the
Orpheum Theatre in downtown LA with
Studio 54, Matt Tyrnauer’s vibrantly
nostalgic documentary about the famous NYC dance club. It will close
on July 22nd with
The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Desiree Akhavan’s
startling drama about so-called reparative therapy that won the Grand
Jury Prize winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival (see interview with Akhavan below).
In between, the fest will feature five world
premieres:
Bao Bao, a deeply felt film from Taiwan (one of several
spotlight movies from Taiwan);
Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, directed
by Michael Urie of
Ugly Betty fame and starring the hilarious Drew
Droege; Laura Madalinski’s
Two in the Bush: A Love Story, detailing a
polyamorous romance;
Tucked, about two drag performers connecting across
generations; and
Room to Grow, a documentary exploration into the lives
of queer teenagers today. Several North American and US premieres
include
Eva & Candela,
Sodom,
Canary,
Cola De Mono and
Daddy Issues.
“With 221 films and 13 TV series, this festival’s lineup is
bursting at the seams with the most anticipated queer and trans stories
of the year,” commented Lucy Mukerjee, Outfest’s Director of
Programming. “Notable recurring themes in 2018 include escapism and
sexual liberation, and we continue to raise the bar in non-fiction
storytelling as we shine a spotlight on unsung LGBTQ communities in our
documentary competition.”
I was privileged to screen three films in advance that I consider
don’t-miss standouts of this year’s fest. Although it will screen on
Friday the 13th, you won’t experience any bad luck while watching the
sexy, biographical
Mapplethorpe. British actor Matt Smith of
Doctor Who
fame transforms himself physically and vocally to play the gay
photographer, who died too young of AIDS complications in 1988 but not
before sparking a revolution in the then-conservative art world. Smith
and award-winning filmmaker Ondi Timoner provide a no-holds-barred look
at the late artist.
1985, screening on July 16th, is another
significant drama set during the early years of the AIDS pandemic. It
is written and directed by Yen Tan (who previously made the gay-themed
Pit Stop and
Happy Birthday), and is beautifully shot in rare black
& white by the single-named Hutch. Cory Michael Smith (who is
terrific as the Riddler on TV’s
Gotham) headlines as Adrian, a closeted
young man who returns home for Christmas of the titular year after
several years’ absence. He is intent on revealing several secrets to
his family but it won’t be easy. Michael Chiklis (Smith’s
Gotham
co-star) and the ever lovely Virginia Madsen play Adrian’s struggling
parents.
My third fave is
Man Made, an eye-opening documentary
produced by actress Tea Leoni about female-to-male trans competitive
bodybuilders. It will screen on July 21st. I didn’t know there were
such athletes nor that there is an annual competition for them, Trans
Fit Con. Director T Cooper (who is trans himself) follows six
competitors in various stages of their transitions, training and
personal relationships. Their stories are inspiring and the movie
overall is illuminating. To top it off, Florence + the Machine provides a
great song over the end credits.
For more information about the offerings during Outfest 2018 and to purchase advance passes or tickets, visit the
Outfest website.
Desiree Akhavan made a splash at Outfest in 2014 with her feature film debut
Appropriate Behavior. She returns this year with
The Miseducation of
Cameron Post, which will serve as the Closing Night gala screening. An
adaptation of Emily M. Danforth’s celebrated YA novel, it was awarded
the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival in part
for its sincere exploration of religion with well-intentioned queer
characters.
Set in 1993, the plot centers on lesbian teen
Cameron (played by the luminous Chloë Grace Moretz of the
Kick-Ass
movies). She is sent to a Christian conversion camp after she gets
caught having sex with her female best friend. At the camp, Cameron
reluctantly undergoes various tactics used to “cure” same-sex attraction
from persistent faith leaders Dr. Lydia Marsh (Jennifer Ehle) and
Reverend Rick (John Gallagher Jr.), who are intent on “saving” LGBTQ
teens from their “sinful” lifestyles. Cameron eventually forms a
resistant alliance with the rebellious Jane (
American Honey's Sasha Lane)
and two-spirit Adam (
The Revenant's Forrest Goodluck).
Akhavan recently took the time to speak with me about her new film via phone from a British editing room.
CC: What are you doing in England?
DA:
I’ve been living here for three years now, working with my co-writer
and producer who is from here. I was visiting more and more often so
decided to make it my permanent home.
CC: How did you react when
The Miseducation of Cameron Post won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance?
DA:
I
was shocked but pleased. I was really excited and grateful. You don’t
expect something like that. Well, at least I didn’t. I had never won
anything big before in my life. (Laugh)
CC: What has been the public reaction to your film?
DA:
I’ve
gotten a really positive response. People are really nice, at least to
my face. (Laugh) Strangers have told me they could really relate to
it, which is exciting. Both queer and straight people have responded
well to it, including my family. They loved it and they’re all straight.
 |
| Desiree Akhavan (in blue) and her cast |
CC: Was the novel or your approach to adapting it autobiographical at all?
DA:
The
novel was not autobiographical. My approach was a little personal in
that I spent time in a rehab center and group therapy. I could relate
to those aspects and wanted to depict them realistically. But none of
us involved have undergone same-sex attraction aversion therapy (as the
process is formally called).
CC: The cast is excellent. Can you talk a bit about your casting process?
DA:
When
it came to the principals, it was a matter of making offers. Chloe was
a no-brainer. I knew she could carry a movie but I wanted to see her
play against her persona. I also didn’t want the characters played by
Jennifer (Ehle) and John (Gallagher Jr.) to be seen as villains. I cast
them because they are both so warm and relatable.
CC: Were you raised in a religious environment? If so, how could you relate to Cameron’s plight?
DA:
No,
not at all. I was raised in a traditional Iranian family. My family
is Muslim but lived through the Iranian Revolution so we learned how
destructive religion can be. They weren’t pro-gay but didn’t try to
change me.
CC: What are plans for your movie after Outfest?
DA:
It will be released in theaters on August 3rd.
CC: And what are you working on now?
DA:
A TV series, a bisexual dating comedy called
The Bisexuals. That’s what
I’m in the editing room with now. It will be on Hulu in October.
Review by Rev. Chris Carpenter, resident film and stage critic of Movie Dearest and Rage Monthly Magazine.
