Philadelphia QFest & Danger After Dark 2011 Program

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Philadelphia

QFEST

a Philadelphia Cinema Alliance production

July 7-18, 2011

presented by

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Special Thanks to Our

Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors

Official Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

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visit www.qfest.com for links to all of our sponsors’ websites

Patron Sponsors Mauckingbird Theatre Company

visit www.qfest.com for links to all of our sponsors’ websites

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Contents Opening & Closing Festivities . . . . . . . . . . 12 Awards and Jurors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Honoree: Rising Star Award Sean Paul Lockhart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 10 Ways to Get Social with QFest . . . . . . 17 Opening Night Films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,23 Closing Night Film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Centerpiece Screenings . . . . . . . . . . . . 27-33 Special Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 QFest Essentials: QFest Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Ticketing Info and Map . . . . . . . . . . . 38-39 Festival Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-41 Shorts Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45-47 Best of US & World Cinema . . . . . . . . . 50-71 TBA Slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Staff and Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72-73 Our Supporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Index of Films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

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Welcome...

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A Message from the Artistic Director, Raymond Murray What’s not to like in this festival that features: a band of overly emotional lesbians from another planet; a 30-year-old man having a one-night stand with his college-age self; a young man lured into the porn world; hetero Texans giving each other a much appreciated hand; a high schooler with the hots for his teacher; a high schooler with the hots for her teacher; a man who fakes having cancer to get a little sympathy love from his ex; a little girl who wants to be a little boy and kiss a girl; a country-western star who comes out; and a gay couple under attack from a bevy of bloodand-flesh-hungry zombies? Not impressed? How about a group of ABBA-singing drag queens; politicians discovering their gay side; a gay “Romeo and Juliet” set in a boy’s military school; Queer Latvians fighting for their rights; Muslim gays and lesbians seeking freedom; scheming Philadelphia go-go boys; gay twins obsessed with Dolly Parton; competing leather queens; and kids who wish their dyke mamas weren’t so lesbo? (it’s a comedy) We’ve taken the filmic temperature of LGBT filmmaking today and the patient is thriving.

There is diversity, comedy, melodrama, documentaries, horror and thrillers. And all of them are coming from the international independent queer filmmaking movement. Collectively, the films demonstrate what creative people can do with little money when fueled with passion and a vision.

We hope you’ll enjoy this year’s edition. My personal favorites? Top ten – in no particular order: Jitters, Longhorns, Amphetamine, Gigola, The Love Patient, Romeos, Tomboy, Circumstance, What’s the Name of the Dame and Judas Kiss. But taste is subjective – so I expect to receive your own top ten list which you can post to facebook.com/QFestPhilly at the end of the festival.

On behalf of the programming and management staff and the many volunteers, thanks for supporting the festival, and we hope you’ll enjoy the movies!

Why should you become a member of the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance?

What are your membership options? Glad you asked!

$60 • Extra

$300 • Screenwriter

Good question! Here are our answers.

Get member pricing to ticket sales: Get all member pricing plus • To support the non-profit organization that brings you $1 off regular tickets 10 pass and 1 opening and $5 off opening and closing 1 closing night ticket combo QFest, the one and only area Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. $25 off all access badges ($120 tax donation) • Your donation helps to pay for the films, ($30 tax donation) the theaters, the staff and best of all, the parties!

• To provide funding so that QFest $150 • Best Boy/Best Girl $500 • Director can continue in the future Get all member pricing plus Get all member pricing plus All Access Badge • To get discounts on tickets for QFest 10 pass ($200 tax donation) ($60 tax donation) • To get advance ticket sales for QFest • To get a tax deduction Because it’s the right thing to do for a good cause!

“JOIN THE ALLIANCE!” How can you join? Call us or go online! www.phillycinema.org or 267-765-9800, ext 4.

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Opening & Closing Festivities

Thursday, July 7 • 7:15pm • 12:30am

Opening Night Flight of Fantasy Time-travelling gays and space-travelling lesbians make the perfect pair to ensure your night is filled with romance and fancy!

Judas Kiss Screening Ritz East 1 · 7:15pm With its super-sexy cast featuring two QFest Rising Stars (Charlie David, 2006 and Sean Paul Lockhart, this year) alongside the adorable Richard Harmon, and its creative script, Judas Kiss (see pg 21) is sure to get your juices flowing on Opening Night! And be sure to stick around to ask director J.T. Tepnapa and cast members your burning questions – or just to ogle!

Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same Screening Ritz East 2 · 7:30pm Prepare to have your heart invaded by this outlandish romantic sci-fi comedy on Opening Night!

A hilarious homage to black-and-white B movies, Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (see pg 23) will send you into orbit with laughter! And don’t take off until you’ve heard from director Madeleine Olnek!

Find Romance Among the Stars Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 33rd Floor · 9:30pm – 12:30am With magnificent panoramic city views, Opening Night continues among the stars at the Loews 33rd Floor (12th & Market Sts). Mix Opening Night Admissions: and mingle with friends and filmmakers, heat it up on the dance floor and cool it down at the bar featuring products from our Combination Ticket: for Film & Party generous sponsors, including Smirnoff Vodka, Bluecoat Gin, smartwater, $40 Public • $35 PCA Members • 21+, ID required vitaminwater zero and Barefoot Wines (three complimentary drinks with Film Only: $15, sold day of show at Ritz East admission) along with out-of-this-world food and desserts. Opening night based on availability • cash only • all ages music will be presented by DJ June Rodriguez (of Tabu fame).

Party Only: $35 Public • $30 PCA Members • You can even turn your Opening Night into a mini-vacation! Stay over in one at the door • 21+, ID required of the Loews Philadelphia’s luxurious rooms with a special Festival discount Film and Party are FREE with your Festival Badge (see inside cover).

Opening and Closing Night Parties are Sponsored by:

Monday, July 18 • 7:00pm • 12:30am

Closing Night Extravaganza Going Down in La-La Land Screening Ritz East 1 · 7:00pm This gala evening begins with Going Down in La-La Land (see pg 25), a riveting and uncensored look at Hollywood that’s the new film from longtime Festival favorite director Casper Andreas, based on the cult favorite novel by Andy Zeffer. Andreas will be in attendance for questions and adulation after the film!

Glitz & Glam Party and Awards Ceremony Trust · 249 Arch St · 9:30pm – 12:30am We’ve found a stunning new space for our spectacular celebration of another year enjoying more than 100 of the best films in LGBT cinema. All your old and new Festival friends will be at Trust (249 Arch St) along with the night’s Award Winners: The presentation of the 17th QFest Audience and Jury Awards will take place amidst the merriment! Party like the “Real World” cast with a pumping dance floor; a bar stocked with our wonderful sponsors’ beverages, including smartwater, vitaminwater zero, Smirnoff Vodka, Bluecoat Gin, Barefoot Wines and Dock Street Beer (three complimentary drinks with admission); and delicious snacks.Closing night music will be presented by DJ Jimmy DePre (of Tavern on Camac fame).

Closing Night Admissions: Combination Ticket: for Film & Party $35 Public • $30 PCA Members • 21+, ID required Film Only: $15, sold day of show at Ritz East based on availability • cash only • all ages Party Only: $25 Public • $20 PCA Members • at the door • 21+, ID required Film and Party are FREE with your Festival Badge

2011 QFEST Awards & Juries

Jurors will confer the awards on Monday, July 18, at the Awards Ceremony during the Closing Night Party at Trust in Olde City.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

Audience Awards Jury Awards Best Short Film Best Short Film Best Documentary Film Best Documentary Film Best Comedic Film Best Feature Film Best Feature Film First Time Director

Head of Jurors Brian Gannon has been working in Philadelphia’s video production community for more than 20 years. He is currently an editor for Center CIty FIlm and VIdeo. For more than a decade, he has been an active member of Philadelphia’s LGBT community, having served on a number of boards and committees. This year marks his 11th year volunteering for the festival.

Feature Film Jury Frank Danay is a writer who earned his BS in Film Studies from Boston University.

Documentary Film Jury

Adam Hymans is an emerging community leader, a strategic communications professional with an active interest in filmmaking.

Adah Bush works in vaccine contracting, doing various volunteer projects in Philadelphia.

Gary Hines is an LGBT community activist, with a love and appreciation for independent film.

Joe’l Ludovich is an award-winning producer and film maker. She currently teaches at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

First-Time Director

David Nose is a business consultant and long time festival attendee and first-time juror.

Tiona McClodden is a documentary and experimental filmmaker with a love for foreign films and visual art.

Short Film Jury

David Nose is a business consultant and long time festival attendee and first-time juror.

Kris Mohfanz is an experienced show producer and broadcast producer for Impax Marketing Group in Philadelphia.

Victoria Brownworth is a Pultizer Prize nominee lesbian author of numerous books on a wide variety of subjects including arts and culture.

Kris Mohfanz is an experienced show producer and broadcast producer for Impax Marketing Group in Philadelphia.

Victoria Brownworth is a Pultizer Prize nominee lesbian author of numerous books on a wide variety of subjects including arts and culture.

2010 QFEST Award Winners

Audience Awards:

Best Short Film: (tied) You Can’t Curry Love directed by Reid Waterer and Bedfellows directed by Pierre Stefanos Best Documentary Film: Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement directed by Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir Best Comedic Feature: Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay! directed by Evgeny Afineevsky Best Feature Film: The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister directed by James Kent

Juried Awards: Best Short Film: (tied) My Name is Love directed by David Fardmar and Evelyn Everyone directed by Kylie Plunkett Best Documentary Film: Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement directed by Susan Muska and Greta Olafsdottir Best Feature Film: Undertow directed by Javier Fuentes-Leon First Time Director: Javier Fuentes-Leon, director of Undertow

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2011 Philadelphia QFEST Honoree

Sean Paul Lockhart Rising Star Award Friday, July 8 • 9:30 • (Preceding shorts program “Short & Scary”) Ritz East 2 The number of adult performers who have transitioned from porn into the “mainstream” world of entertainment can pretty much be counted on one hand, with Jenna Jameson, Sasha Grey and Traci Lords being the best examples. Apart from Rocco Siffredi’s appearances in Catherine Breillat’s art-house films Romance and Anatomy of Hell all have been straight and female which makes the addition of our 2011 Rising Star Award recipient to this roster all the more astonishing.

Born on Halloween in 1986, Sean Paul Lockhart has already made quite a name for himself. He spent his childhood in the Seattle area where he discovered his love of film. Lockhart relocated to San Diego in his early teens and became involved with student and experimental film projects. He originally garnered attention – and some controversy – when he burst upon the gay adult scene as Brent Corrigan. After some scenes for a smaller studio, he was cast in Falcon’s blockbuster The Velvet Mafia before starring in and subsequently directing his own line which rocketed him to superstardom. (Brent Corrigan’s Heat was one of TLAgay.com’s top-selling titles of last year.) He’s won several major awards in the adult arena – he was honored with “Best Bottom” two years running at the GAYVNs – and launched his own highly-trafficked website, TheNewBrentCorrigan.com. And all this with relatively few on-camera porn appearances; so when his films are released they’re met with near-manic huzzahs from his adoring fans.

An utter natural, it was only a matter of time before Lockhart took his love of film to the next level – and the “legit” film industry took notice right away. His role as Stan the Merman in the hit comedy Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild! was one of the most-talked about of the year, followed by an appearance in Gus Van Sant’s Oscar-winning Milk and Casper Andreas’ charming The Big Gay Musical. Lockhart’s boyish looks convey the rare combination of innocence and seduction, and this year will clearly be a breakout one via his two films screening at this year’s QFest: I Was a Teenage Werebear and Judas Kiss.

Fully at ease in front of the camera, Lockhart plays both dramatic and comedic roles comfortably and with conviction. Plus, he’s just so damned drool-inducing to look at. (His nearly 50,000 followers on Twitter fervently agree with all of the above.) So for being someone from the gay adult industry making the move so successfully to the mainstream world – and still embracing his roots – we are pleased to present this year’s Rising Star Award to Sean Paul Lockhart.

—Erik Schut

Another Gay Sequel Images ©Christopher Stephens

more information online • www.qfest.com

10 Ways to Get Social with QFEST to Facebook and friend us at facebook.com/QFestPhilly. You can 1. Head also connect to our Facebook account from the Philadelphia QFest website - QFest.com

us on Twitter. Our handle is @QFest. You can also connect to our 2. Follow Twitter account from the Philadelphia QFest website Qfest.com. If you’re into Twitter hashtags, ours is #QFest

your thoughts about QFest movies and events on our Facebook and Twitter 3. Share accounts. Please do this AFTER the movie is over. Hold off until the lights come up and then get busy with those fingers – we DO mean busy fingers on your Smartphone!

us what you think via video, part 1. We’ve got a roving videographer 4. Tell attending movies and events looking for on-the-spot film reviews. We

know everybody’s a critic. So don’t be shy. We’ll be sharing the videos on Facebook and on the main festival website.

us what you think via video, part 2. Hey, our videographer can’t catch 5. Tell everybody and you can use your cellphone or home computer to create a personal video review. Have fun. Be creative. Upload your video to our Facebook account or attach it to a tweet.

a haiku review. Everybody loves haiku reviews. Write yours 6. Compose and post it to our Facebook account.

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Go to QFest.com/sponsors, click on a hot-linked logo and let our sponsors know how much YOU appreciate their support of Philadelphia QFest.

your Facebook friends and Twitter followers about the great time 8. Tell you’re having at Philadelphia QFest. Recommend movies that you enjoyed, or find your inner diva and bitch about films you disliked.

LOVE old-school networking. Imagine you’re in a time-bubble and 9. We smartphones don’t exist – be social and make some new friends in the

lobby of our venues (a number of festival attendees have met their true love in QFest wait-lines!). Socialize at the restaurants and clubs who support QFest. up at QFest.com for our daily emails during 10. Sign the 12-days of the festival – we will be uploading

pictures every day, so you might well see yourself on your desktop! If you can think of more ways to GET SOCIAL with Philadelphia QFest let us know at facebook.com/QFestPhilly We will post the best ideas for getting social in our festival blogs!

more information online • www.qfest.com

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DVD & VOD Release: 11/15/11

Longhorns Director: David Lewis

DVD & VOD Release: 9/26/11

The One Director: Caytha Jentis

DVD & VOD Release: 8/30/11

DVD & VOD Release: 12/13/11

Buffering Directors: Darren Flaxstone and Christian Martin

Blackmail Boys Directors: Shumanski Brothers

DVD & VOD Release: 9/20/11

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Finding Me: Truth Director: Roger S. Omeus, Jr

Congratulations to Our Rockstar Filmmakers in

This is What Love in Action Looks Like

Jitters

Director: Morgan John Fox

Director: Baldvin Z

Coming Soon to DVD & VOD

Over the Edge

Harvest

Director: Webster Forrest

Director: Benjamin Cantu

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Opening NIGHT

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Judas Kiss Thursday, July 7 • 7:15 • Ritz East 1 Saturday, July 9 • 12:00 • Ritz East 1 Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 94 min

Our Opening Night film for the boys is this sexy story of a washed-up filmmaker who travels back in time and meets his college-aged self. Charlie David (“Dante’s Cove”) and Sean Paul Lockhart (aka Brent Corrigan - Stan the Merman in Another Gay Sequel) headline an impressive cast.

Followed by Opening Night Party (see pg 12).

This gay time-travel tale, peppered with a sexy young cast, high production values and an unconventional script kicks off QFest with a creative and captivating bang! Zachary (Charlie David) was a boy wonder filmmaker in his college days, but now hitting thirty, his best days are long behind him. So when his agent encourages him to travel to his alma mater to judge a student film festival, he reluctantly goes: he has nothing else to do. Returning to his old campus, he tosses professionalism aside when he has a one-night stand with Danny (Richard Harmon), the talented student filmmaker whose much talked about movie is the one to beat at the festival. Sexual shenanigans are the least of his problems when he realizes that there has been some sort of time shift and that Danny is really his 20-year-old younger self! He’s looking directly at his past. But Danny’s none the wiser: it was just a fling with an old dude as he goes about his tumultuous personal life juggling relationships with the cocky Shane and with Chris (Sean Paul Lockhart), a fellow student with a crush on him. As Danny plots his way to an award-winning filmmaking future, Zachary works to change the past… and hopefully his future. Director J.T. Tepnapa (2002 short Masturbation: Putting the Fun Into Self-Loving) directs a very talented cast including David (Mulligans, Kiss the Bride, “Dante’s Cove”), Lockhart (Another Gay Sequel, Milk, I Was a Teenage Werebear) and Harmon (“The Killing”). —Raymond Murray Director: J.T. Tepnapa Cast: Charlie David, Sean Paul Lockhart, Richard Harmon, Timo Descamps, Julia Morizawa, Ron Boyd, Troy Fischnaller, Samantha Rund, Ronee Collins, Iain Dunn, Eric Helland, Stephanie Hillbert, Laura Kenny, Dale Bowers, Vince Valenzuela Screenwriters: Carlos Pedraza, J.T. Tepnapa Producers: Carlos Pedraza, Jody Wheeler (co-producer) Cinematographer: David Berry Editor: Whitney Dunn Print Source: Blue Seraph Productions

Judas Kiss is J.T. Tepnapa’s debut.

Director J.T. Tepnapa and cast members will be in attendance.

more information online • www.qfest.com

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Opening NIGHT

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Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same Thursday, July 7 • 7:30 • Ritz East 2 Monday, July 11 • 5:00 • Ritz at the Bourse East Coast Premiere USA 2010, 76 min

Opening Night descends on the girls with a film that received critical acclaim at its Sundance premiere. Codependent Lesbian Alien Seeks Same is an hilarious first-date movie for connoisseurs of kitsch, sci-fi geeks, Ed Wood aficionados and all starry-eyed searchers looking for love.

Followed by Opening Night Party (see pg 12).

The ozone layer of planet Zots is disappearing due to an overabundance of emotion. To save their planet, three tall, bald, lesbian space aliens - Zoinx, Zylar and Barr - are assigned a critical mission: visit planet Earth (New York) break some hearts and overcome “big feelings.” In Lower Manhattan, Jane, an unassuming, shy and lonely greeting card store employee, has been having vivid dreams about finding her soulmate. Wish fulfillment is within grasp when Zoinx wanders into her store and communicates her interest. With deadlines looming, Zylar (an expert in online dating), Zoinx and Barr are going to have to break some hearts - fast!; cover their tracks from the watchful men in black; and rendezvous with their space ship. With a knowing wink to its B-movie lineage, director Madeleine Olnek unabashedly revels in an outlandish plot, an eccentric cast and economical special effects. Don’t miss this opportunity to dress space-tastic and to meet the filmmakers! —Carol Coombes Director: Madeleine Olnek Cast: Lisa Haas, Susan Ziegler, Jackie Monahan, Cynthia Kaplan, Dennis Davis, Alex Karpovsky, Rae C Wright Screenwriter: Madeleine Olnek Producers: Cynthia Fredette, Laura Terruso Cinematographer: Nat Bouman Editor: Curtis Grout Print Source: Mary Ann Curto

Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same is Madeleine Olnek’s debut.

Director Madeleine Olnek will be in attendance.

more information online • www.qfest.com

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Closing NIGHT

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Going Down in La-La Land Monday, July 18 • 7:00 • Ritz East 1 Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 105 min

For Closing Night, QFest veteran director Casper Andreas (The Big Gay Musical, Between Love & Goodbye, A Four Letter Word) brings a probing, sexy, uncensored, scandalous, outrageously funny exposé about the lengths to which an actor will go to not only survive but get ahead in Hollywood.

Followed by Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony (see pg 12).

Based on the novel by actor Andy Zeffer (The Fluffer) and directed with startling intensity by Casper Andreas, Going Down in La-La Land is a searing portrait of one young man’s ambitions and how far he will go to attain them. Adam is a young, driven, handsome and starry-eyed transplanted New Yorker, who, like thousands before and after him, wants to make it big on the big screen. But when the bright lights and red carpets don’t materialize, he quickly discovers the seamier and steamier underbelly of the entertainment industry, populated by gay pornographers, male prostitutes, downtrodden directors, has-been starlets and crystal meth addicts. After a few failed jobs, Adam begins non-adult work at a porn studio, but that soon turns into work in front of the camera and eventually turning tricks for a billionaire businessman and one of America’s most beloved but extremely closeted TV stars. Driven by celebrity-obsessed ambition, the film’s comedic center is the adorable friendship between Adam and his roommate, the gold-digging straight girl, Candy. Now matter what the setback, flaw, imperfection, disappointment or heartbreak, the two laugh their way down the rocky road of dashed hopes and dreamed-about stardom. —Thom Cardwell Director: Casper Andreas Cast: Matthew Ludwinski, Allison Lane, Michael Medico, Casper Andreas, John Schile, Jesse Archer, Bruce Vilanch, Judy Tenuta, Alec Mapa Screenwriter: Casper Andreas (based on the novel by Andy Zeffer) Producer: Casper Andreas Cinematographer: Timothy Naylor Editor: Alexander Hammer Print Source: Embrem

Casper Andreas’ Filmography: The Big Gay Musical (co-director) (2010), Between Love & Goodbye (2008), A Four Letter Word (2007), Slutty Summer (2004)

Director Casper Andreas will be in attendance.

more information online • www.qfest.com

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• A prominent selection of bourbons, whiskeys, Scotches and house-infused cocktails.

• Creative Pub Fare

Centerpiece SCREENING

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Circumstance Friday, July 15 • 7:00 • Ritz East 1 USA, Iran, Lebanon 2011, 105 min

This year’s Sundance Audience Award: Dramatic winner with good reason, this suspenseful, political love story starkly juxtaposes public lives and lives lived away from the omnipresent surveillance by the state.

Set in contemporary Tehran, Circumstance tells the tale of two beautiful 16-year-olds; Atafeh, the privileged daughter of an educated, well-to-do family, and her new friend Shireen. Together they dare to dream and discover freedoms that their parents never had. Rebellious, beautiful and smart, they have learned to navigate a youthful vibrant maze of underground parties, clubs and drinking dens – places where women can remove their head coverings, expose their skin and be free from the suffocating pressure of arranged marriages and tea with relatives. Defying the morality police who treat women like second-class citizens is exhilarating. Even more politically dangerous is the boundary that Atafeh and Shireen have crossed in their friendship. When Atafeh’s brother, Mehran, returns home with newly fundamentalist views, the once liberal haven of the family home is transformed into a scary place where secrets can no longer be contained. (Farsi with English subtitles) —Carol Coombes Director: Maryam Keshavarz Cast: Nikohl Boosheri, Sarah Kazemy, Reza Sixo Safai, Soheil Parsa, Nasrin Pakkho, Sina Amedson, Keon Mohajeri Screenwriter: Maryam Keshavarz Producers: Karin Chien, Maryam Keshavarz, Melissa M. Lee Cinematographer: Brian Rigney Hubbard Editor: Andrea Chignoli Print Source: Roadside Attractions

Circumstance is Maryam Keshavarz’s debut.

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

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PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

eCupid Saturday, July 16 • 7:30 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 17 • 12:15 • Ritz East 1 Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 100 min

Things are not always what you expect them to be in this gorgeously-crafted romance from J.C. Calciano (Is It Just Me?) with hot leads, a quirky unpredictable script and streak of sweet whimsy.

Following up on the 4-star success of Is It Just Me?, J.C. Calciano returns to QFest with this pop romance full of flights of fantasy that’s sure to please even the most jaded cineaste. Marshall (Houston Rhines) and Gabe (Noah Schuffman) are in a comfy relationship for seven years now – so relaxed that sex has become infrequent, and things have become boring to Marshall. One night Marshall downloads an app called “eCupid” that not only takes over his cell phone and computer, it re-engineers his love life. Marshall tells Gabe that he’s bored via a text he didn’t send; a surprise hustler arrives at the door; and a party planner plans spontaneously. Suddenly Marshall finds himself single; and to top that off, things at work aren’t going all that well either. Sex appeal oozes from the whole cast of this beautifully crafted and artfully written romantic comedy with an age-old (and modern) message: it’s easy to get distracted from the love that’s right in front of us, especially in an age of texts, apps, and toys! —Scott Cranin Director: JC Calciano Cast: Houston Rhines, Noah Schuffman, Andy Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Brad Pennington, Joe Komara, Gary Riotto, Galen Drever Screenwriter: JC Calciano Producers: JC Calciano, Joe Dain Cinematographer: Joshua W. Smith Editor: Philip Blackford Print Source: JC Calciano

JC Calciano’s Filmography: Is It Just Me? (2010)

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

Centerpiece SCREENING Jamie and Jessie Are Not Together Saturday, July 16 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Sunday, July 17 • 4:30 • Ritz East 2 East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 95 min

Have you ever been in love with your best friend?

From the director of last year’s festival hit Hannah Free comes Jamie and Jessie Are Not Together, a romantic musical comedy that tells the story of two queer girls whose codependent, loyal friendship is fraught with erotic tension. Jamie is moving from Chicago to Brooklyn with hopes of becoming a Broadway actress. Her best friend Jessica is bummed because she thinks she’s in love with Jamie. As moving day gets closer, Jessica tries to make Jamie jealous by dating other women,but Jessica’s plan backfires in a way she could never imagine. Within this world of love and lust, Jamie and Jessie must figure out how to grow together, or how to grow apart. Combine Show Me Love with 500 Days of Summer, add several original songs and two cute college girls, and stir!

Director: Wendy Jo Carlton Cast: Jacqui Jackson, Jessica London-Shields, Fawzia Mirza, Marika Engelhardt, Tinuade Oyelowo, Jen LaForte, Chris Meister Screenwriter: Wendy Jo Carlton Producers: Wendy Jo Carlton, Anne T. Hanson, Rebecca Sekulich Cinematographer: Gretchen Warthen Editor: Justine Gendron Print Source: Wendy Jo Carlton

Wendy Jo Carlton’s Filmography: Hannah Free (2009); Brushfires (2004)

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

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THE FILM COLLABORATIVE is the first non-profit committed to distribution education and facilitation of independent film.

TFC congratulates our clients at Philadelphia QFest 2011

Look for these recent titles in theatres and on DVD/Digital We offer the following low-fee education and direct distribution support and services without taking any rights.

Festival Distribution Sales Consultation Theatrical Distribution Contract / Business Affairs Digital Distribution Website Design & Hosting Key Art Development Ancillary Graphic Design Home Video Distribution via First Run Features Home Video Distribution via Wolfe Video

learn more at

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Centerpiece SCREENING

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Jitters Órói Saturday, July 9 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 10 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Tuesday, July 12 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1 U.S. Premiere Iceland 2010, 97 min

This energetic coming-of-age drama follows a closeted boy and his group of trouble-prone friends, providing a positive, fun look at young people today.

Nominated for all the major categories at this year’s EDDA Awards (Iceland’s Oscars), Jitters captures the excitement and traumas of a group of Icelandic teenagers as they tentatively enter young adulthood.

It is also, through the lead character, a knowing and uplifting gay coming-of-age drama. On an English immersion trip to Manchester, uptight teen Gabriel’s roommate is free-spirited Marcus. They become friends and on their last night together, share a tender kiss. But romance is ended when they go their separate ways and return home. Family and friends notice a change in the thin, handsome Gabriel, who realizes he is gay but decides to keep it a secret. But he has little time to mope, for between parties and excursions, his friends have their own set of problems: there is a girl who likes him and is frustrated at his lack of response; his troubled friend desperately wants to meet her real father; and Gabriel’s best friend is developing a drinking problem. When Marcus returns to the scene, it forces Gabriel to make a decision. An attractive, energetic ensemble cast and a driving, pulsating soundtrack are highlights of this teen comedy/drama that is filled with young people’s traumas, but still remains buoyant and insightful.

(Icelandic with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Baldvin Z Cast: Atli Oskar Fjalarsson, Hreindís Ylva Garðarsdóttir, Gísli Örn Garðarsson, Birna Rún Eiríksdóttir, Lilja Guðrún Jónsdóttir, Elías Helgi Kofoed-Hansen, Haraldur Ari Stefánsson Screenwriters: Ingibjörg Reynisdóttir, Baldvin Zophoníasson Producers: Júlíus Kemp, Ingvar Þórðarson Cinematographer: Jóhann Máni Jóhannsson Editor: Sigurbjorg Jonsdottir Print Source: TLA Releasing

Sponsored by:

Jitters is Baldvin Z’s debut.

more information online • www.qfest.com

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PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Longhorns Friday, July 15 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 17 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1 East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 90 min

This raucous sex comedy tells the story of a “straight” Texas fratboy who realizes that maybe all his man-on-man fantasies, going down on his buddies, and falling for the only openly gay student on campus means he just might be queer…

Who knew that über-serious filmmaker David Lewis (Redwoods, Rock Haven) not only had a great sense of humor but ended up making the funniest, wildest, gay sex comedy since Another Gay Movie!

The setting is a Texas college circa 1982 where big hair, loud shirts and cowboy boots are considered high fashion. Here, men are men, women are just future wives (or current sluts), and there is nothing gay about helping a guy out! Good ol’ fratboy Kevin is straight as an arrow (if you don’t count his gay fantasies when fucking his girlfriend, or jerking off his fellow frat brothers) but he begins to see things a little queerly when he meets the sexy and together and openly gay César. Can a straight guy fall for another dude? And can Kevin continue going down on his old pal (Dylan Vox) under the belief that it is just fratboy hijinks? And will kissing César change him forever? Never has a film featured so many straight men doing so many gay things as beer is guzzled, pants are dropped and playful bed-hopping ensues. Fast, fun and sexy – what more could you want from a film? —Raymond Murray Director: David Lewis Cast: Jacob Newton, Derek Efrain Villanueva, Dylan Vox, Kevin Held, Stephen Matzke, Bonnie Marion, Katrina Sherwood, Sophia Revelli Screenwriter: David Lewis Producers: H.P. Mendoza, Lewis Tice Cinematographer: Frazer Bradshaw Editor: H.P. Mendoza Print Source: Lewis Tice

David Lewis’s Filmography: Redwoods (2009); Rock Haven (2007)

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

Centerpiece SCREENING

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Mangus!

Friday, July 15 • 7:15 • Ritz East 2 Sunday, July 17 • 2:45 • Ritz East 1 Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 90 min

This richly dark comedy chronicles a teenage boy’s pursuit (in a wheelchair) of his dream: to be a star.

Filmmaker Ash Christian’s (Fat Girls) sophomore feature film is this frantic, wildly funny (and weird) new comedy that revolves around a high school senior with one goal in life: he wants to be Jesus.

Actually, he wants the lead role in the high school production of “Jesus Christ Spectacular” (a knock off version of “Jesus Christ Superstar”). Mangus’ father and grandfather both played Jesus in their youth, and they still wear the robes to prove it. So he has a legacy to continue. Mangus gets the role, but due to a freak accident he loses the part to his archrival. Because of the incident, technically Mangus is now disabled. He is shuttled off to live with his estranged mother and quasi siblings in a trailer park. Determined not to be derailed by a ‘minor’ setback, Mangus begins a campaign to convince the theater teacher, school board, his family members and even the “New Jesus” that he can still play the part. All he needs is a ramp! All of his auditions are done with a veracity that would even make the mother of all stagemothers, “Mama Rose (Hovick)”, gag. With John Waters, Jennifer Coolidge, Heather Matarazzo and Leslie Jordan, the town of River City, Texas will surely get a night to remember. —Dudley Best Director: Ash Christian Cast: Ryan Boggus, John D. Montoya, Kasey James, Jennifer Coolidge, Heather Matarazzo, John Waters, Leslie Jordan, Laura Spencer, Deborah Theaker, Annette Denise Bass, Kimberly Lynn Campbell Screenwriter: Ash Christian Producers: Ash Christian, Heather Matarazzo, Simon Millar Cinematographer: Lyn Moncrief Editor: Scott Martin Print Source: Cranium Entertainment

Ash Christian’s Filmography: Fat Girls (2006)

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

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SPECIAL PROGRAMS QFEST 2011

The Art of Hardcore: Then and Now

Saturday, July 16 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1

One of the festival’s most popular programs each year is our spotlight on the gay adult industry. This time we’re doing something a bit different – we’re giving you three eye-and-jeans popping programs all rolled into one. You’ll get to delve into porn’s rich history with Smut Capital of America; get an exclusive sneak peek at Seed Money, a work-in-progress look at arguably gay porn’s most influential; and - as the night’s centerpiece - experience Sagat, a world premiere look at of one of today’s most popular and creative superstars. Want more? The man himself will be live and in-person to take your questions. Hosted by the hilariously witty (and porn aficionado) duo of PAPER Magazine’s Mickey Boardman and the Village Voice’s Michael Musto, you are invited to come with us as we journey from porn’s past and rocket you into its future.

Sagat

(France, 2011, 39 min, Jérôme M. Oliveira and Pascal Roche) Prepare to go deep! Monsieur François Sagat is easily one of the most recognizable porn stars on Earth. His much-discussed trademark scalp tattoo initially is what made him stand out in the often overcrowded field of models; once you’ve seen him you never forget him. Here now is your chance to go deeper into Sagat than ever before. He rocketed to superstardom on the heels of searing performances in such modern-day gay adult TitanMen classics as Folsom Filth, Fear and Breakers in which his ferocious on-camera persona was showcased at its very finest.

Yet there is much more to the man with the disarming smile, indelible ink and body of a superhero. Having returned to his mother’s home after a stint interning for designer Thierry Mugler that proved frustrating, Sagat embarked on a reinvention of body and mind - transforming himself from introspective outsider into the Sagat marvel you see today. Sagat the film takes you on this journey with Sagat the man, as he moves from the porn world into (possibly?) the mainstream. With appearances in Saw VI, Christophe Honoré’s Man at Bath and indie auteur Bruce LaBruce’s controversial art-meets-hardcore porn L.A. Zombie already under his crotch, errr… belt, Sagat is ready to make his move. Peppered with insightful comments from his family, directors Chi Chi LaRue and Brian Mills, porn superstars Dean Monroe and Wilfried Knight, as well as footage from his club and runway appearances, performance art pieces and - of course - hardcore X-rated scenes from some of his best porns, we are honored to present this world premiere screening with the man himself in attendance. Bring your A-game questions along with something to fan yourself with because Sagat brings Sagat the heat. – Erik Schut

Smut Capital of America

(US, 2011, 17 min, Michael Stabile) As the sexual revolution gained steam in the late 1960s, San Francisco effectively decriminalized hardcore pornography. It was the first city in the US to do so, and turned the City by the Bay into a boomtown for sexcapades of every persuasion. Smut Capital of America features incredible archival footage as well as new insights from former stars, theater owners and filmmakers (John Waters’ remarks about “The Hungry Hole” bar will have you roaring and possibly willing to try a new position) in an attempt to recreate a revolution that wasn’t televised – it was screened. – Erik Schut

Smut Capital of America

Exclusive Sneak Peek: Seed Money

(US, 2011, 4 min, Michael Stabile) We are thrilled to give you this very special exclusive sneak peek at Seed Money, the tentatively-titled work-in-progress documentary about pornographer-turned-philanthropist Chuck Holmes – the man who helped found both Falcon Studios and the Human Rights Campaign.

“Style” is a rough cut of pre-interviews from the documentary and includes skin-tillating glimpses of some of the era’s biggest stars. This segment also features three of Falcon’s legendary directors, as John Rutherford and Steven Scarborough comment about the influence of the notoriously reclusive John Summers aka Vaughn Kincey (seen and heard here in extremely rare moments) and the beginnings of the Falcon aesthetic - a look which would influence an entire generation of gay men. – Erik Schut

more information online • www.qfest.com

TitanMen.com is proud to be the official sponsor of the Philadelphia QFest 2011 world premiere screening of

Image Š Franck Glenisson

Titan Ad.indd 1

6/7/11 11:07:24 AM

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Mixto’s cuisine is a mixture of Cuban, Latin American and Caribbean flavors. We identify ourselves for our traditional dishes such as Cuban Paella, Argentinean Churassco, and Pernil Rotisado as well as for our large portions. Mixto is vibrant and welcoming which is representative of our Latin culture. We invite you to join us soon for a truly memorable Latin experience.

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A proud sponsor of

A Philadelphia Cinema Alliance Prooduction

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July 7-18, 2011

Festival Basics

Get the most out of your festival experience

37

The Golden Rule: Many screenings sell out Especially the Opening, Closing and Centerpiece films – Plan your Festival schedule ahead of time, and buy tickets as early as possible – or better yet, buy a badge.

But remember – After show time, no one (including badge-holders) is guaranteed a seat!

Ticket Sales...

Getting Here...

Day of show tickets are only available at the venue If you want to buy a ticket for a same-day movie, go straight to the place where that movie will be showing. The tickets for the entire day go on sale one half-hour before the first show of the day at that venue.

Arrive at the theater early

Theater box offices are Cash Only Check your wallet or visit the closest ATM before arriving at the movies – venue ticket sales are cash only.

Advance ticket pickup If you order your tickets in advance, all of the tickets you purchase will be available for pickup at your first movie’s screening venue.

If you don’t pick them up there, you must call the Festival Box Office to re-route the tickets to your next venue – this will not happen automatically.

To start the film on time, we must seat as many people as possible in a very short time.

Allow plenty of time for your transportation, especially on weekend nights. The Festival Map on the next page shows theaters, party venues, discounted parking and Septa subway stops.

Remember your umbrella The Festival attracts thousands of people, so don’t be surprised by lines that extend outside – and prepare accordingly.

At the Theater...

Seats cannot be held You must be present to take a seat. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no “standing room” admission at any Festival film or program.

Keep on top of breaking Festival News

We do not show any previews

Sellouts, screening, event and guest updates are posted and announced regularly at:

Screenings start within five minutes of the scheduled time – however, the Festival cannot be held accountable for late starts.

www.qfest.com The site features real-time interactive features such as user reviews and personalized Festival calendar options.

Daily E-Newslines We send you breaking Festival news and announcements via e-mail or RSS Feed every morning before breakfast.

Festival Hotline 24-hour automated information is available at 267-765-9800 x701.

We take movies seriously Please silence your wrappers, voices, communication devices and alarms to ensure a quality audience experience.

The venues are staffed by volunteers... ...who can answer many of your questions and make the festival possible by donating their time. Please be patient, and don’t forget to thank them for their efforts.

more information online • www.qfest.com

38

Get Your Tickets Here!

Please note that all tickets are non-refundable

General Admission

PCA Members

Regular Screenings

$10.00

$9.00

Opening/Closing Night Film Only

$15.00

$15.00

Single Tickets

Sales Locations STARTING JUNE 17 Online: www.qfest.com

By Phone: 267.765.9800 x4

(Film only, on sale day of show, based on availability)

Parties, Events & Combos

(Must be 21 years or older for all parties)

STARTING JUNE 20 at TLA Video Stores

Limited tickets get yours now!

Opening Night Combination (Film & post-screening party) Opening Night Party Only (At the door)

$40.00

$35.00

$35.00

$30.00

Closing Night Combination (Film & post-screening party)

$35.00

$30.00

Closing Night Party Only (At the door)

$25.00

$20.00

速

we love movies

Noon until 8:00pm daily 1520 Locust St. Rittenhouse Square 215.735.7887

Passes & Badges Festival 10-Pass Not valid for Opening & Closing Nights All-Access Badge (Limited to 50 only. First come, first served.)

$90.00

$85.00

$260.00

$235.00

763 Lancaster Ave. Bryn Mawr 610.520.1222

Service Fees: There is a $1.00 fee per ticket on all advance sales and $5.00 fee per badge or 10-pass. Fees waived for PCA Members. (Join the Alliance!)

Join the Alliance! for PCA Membership benefits see page 7

IMPORTANT! AFTER SHOW TIME, NO ONE CAN BE GUARANTEED SEATS (INCLUDING BADGE HOLDERS)

Festival Map Venues 1. Ritz East

125 S 2nd St.

2. Ritz at the Bourse

Marke

t Stree t

pb

2

400 Ranstead St.

DISCOUNTED PARKING

Street Walnut Street

pA

1

Front S treet

400 Ranstead St. $6.50 with validation when parking after 5:00pm

Second

B. Bourse Garage Associates (above the Ritz at the Bourse)

ut Stre et

Third S treet

2nd & Samson St. $6.50 with validation when parking after Noon

Fourth Street

A. The AutoPark at Old City (above the Ritz East)

Chestn

Advance Sales All advance orders for weekday shows must be placed by noon on the day of the movie or event, orders for Saturday and Sunday must be purchased by 9pm the night before.

All of your tickets will be waiting for you at the venue of your first screening.

Phone/Internet Badge orders are available for pickup at any TLA Video Location (at left) ONLINE (Credit card sales only) www.qfest.com

BY PHONE (Credit card sales only) Call 267-765-9800 x4 Starting June 17 Noon-8pm daily IN PERSON (All payment methods) See Advance Sales Locations (at left)

Same Day Sales

(Venues only)

Cash Only Sold only where the film is shown. Subject to availability.

Go to the venue where the film will be shown no earlier than one half-hour before the first Festival screening of the day to purchase same day tickets.

Some Important Details Avoid Sellouts – Plan your Festival ahead of time and purchase tickets as early as possible.

Or better yet, buy a badge.

Please arrive early – After show time no one, not even a badge holder, is guaranteed a seat.

Refunds – All sales are final. No refunds are available unless a screening is cancelled.

Exchanges – All exchanges must be processed in advance. If your tickets are already printed you must make your exchange in person. There are no same-day exchanges or exchanges for past events. We cannot process exchanges online.

Lost tickets cannot be replaced.

Screening updates and ticket availability information is regularly updated on our website at www.qfest.com and on our Festival hotline: 267-765-9800 x701.

How Badges Work

Iris Prize Festival Cardiff 5-8 October 2011

irisprize.org

4

irisprize.org

All-Access Badges are available in limited quantities. Badge holders SPONSORS / NODDWYR irisprize.org must be present at least 20 minutes prior to screenings. receive 4 4 They will irisprize.org their tickets in a designated VIP line. Badges include admission 4 to all films,irisprize.org including Opening and Closing Night films and parties and access to other SPONSORS / NODDWYR SPONSORS / NODDWYR Principal funder / Prif Ari SPONSORS / NODDWYR 4 irisprize.org select parties.

4 irisprize.org DAD Badges are good for Danger After Dark films only. Badge holders SPONSORS / NODDWYR must be present at least 20 minutes prior to screenings. They will receive Principal SPONSORS / funder NODDWYR / Prif Arianwr Principal funder / Prif Arianwr Principal funder / Prif Arianwr their tickets in a designated VIP line.

Funders and Sponsors / A Principal funder: Produced by: Principal funder / Prif Arianwr Phone/mail/Internet badge orders can be picked up at any TLA Video locaPrincipal funder / Prif Arianwr tion. If you wish to provide your own passport-sized photo (email jpeg file to jbendik@phillycinema.org), you must pick up your badge at TLA Video, Funders and Sponsors / Arianwyr a Noddwyr 1520 Locust Street.

Funders and Sponsors Arianwyr a Noddwyr Funders and /Sponsors Arianwyr a Noddwyr Funders and/sponsors: Sponsors / Arianwyr a Noddwyr Funders and

How Passes Work

Funders and Sponsors / Arianwyr a Noddwyr

Your 10-pass vouchers must be redeemed for tickets to the film of your choice. You can do this when you purchase in ADVANCE (recommended) or at the door (see Same Day Sales). Online buyers: Any unredeemed passes will remain on your account UNTIL your first TICKET pickup at will call — at which time the leftover passes will also be given to you.

Avoid Sellouts!

Yes, we said it again. To check for screening updates and ticket availability, call the Festival Hotline at 267-765-9800 ext. 701, or dial ext. 4 to speak to a service representative.

Partners / Partneriaid Partners Partneriaid Partners // Partneriaid

/ Partneriaid /Partners Partneriaid / Partners Partneriaid more Partners information online • www.qfest.com

39

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CALENDAR OF Screenings Ritz East Theater 1

Thu July 7

7:15 Judas Kiss 5:00 Three

Fri July 8

7:30 The Night Watch

Ritz East Theater 2

Ritz at the Bourse

Parties and Events

7:30 Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (94 min, pg.21) (76 min, pg.23) 5:00 The Evening Dress

(119 min, pg.69)

7:00 Amphetamine

(90 min, pg.65)

(98 min, pg.54) (97 min, pg.50)

9:30pm-1am Opening Festivities at Loews Phila. Hotel (pg.12) 5:15 Over the Edge

(90 min, pg.66)

7:15 Blackmail Boys

(82 min, pg.52)

9:30 9:30 9:45 Short & Scary (Shorts) Leave It on the Floor Milocrorze, A Love Story (DAD) (84 min, pg.46) (101 min, pg.62) (95 min, pg.77) 12:00 Judas Kiss 2:45 Wish Me Away

Sat July 9

5:00 Jitters 7:30 The Perfect Family 9:30 The Love Patient 12:15 Bite Marks 2:30 House of Boys

Sun Jul 10

5:00 The Love Patient 7:15 Wish Me Away 9:30 Phase 7 (DAD)

(94 min, pg.21)

12:15 Amphetamine

(97 min, pg.50)

12:30 I Am

(80 min, pg.61)

2:30 3:00 Hollywood To Dollywood Private Romeo (95 min, pg.71) (81 min, pg.59) (97 min, pg.31)

5:00 The Night Watch

(98 min, pg.67)

5:15 This Is What Love in Action ...

(90 min, pg.65) (81 min, pg.69)

7:00 7:30 Eating Out - Drama Camp Love Actually…Sucks (92 min, pg.66) (90 min, pg.54) (94 min, pg.50) (95 min, pg.63) (84 min, pg.52)

9:45 Bite Marks

10:00 Bangkok Knockout (DAD) (84 min, pg.52) (107 min, pg.80)

12:15 The One

12:15 Sleeping Beauty of East Finchley (90 min, pg.65) (69 min, pg.68)

2:30 2:30 Leave It on the Floor So Hard to Forget (110 min, pg.60) (101 min, pg.62) (100 min, pg.68) 4:45 5:00 A Few Days of Respite Love Her or Leave Her (Shorts) (95 min, pg.63) (98 min, pg.55) (82 min, pg.54) 7:00 Jitters

(95 min, pg.71) (95 min, pg.77)

9:30 Blackmail Boys

(97 min, pg.31)

7:15 Three

(119 min, pg.69)

9:30 Love Actually…Sucks (82 min, pg.52) (95 min, pg.50)

5:00 5:00 5:00 Hollywood To Dollywood Short & Scary (Shorts) Codependent Lesbian (81 min, pg.59) (84 min, pg.46) Space Alien ...

(76 min, pg.23)

Mon Jul 11

7:15 Private Romeo 9:30 The One 5:00 Harvest

Tue Jul 12

7:15 Absent 9:30 Jitters

(98 min, pg.67) (90 min, pg.65)

7:00 Harvest 9:15 Over the Edge

7:15 My Mama Said Yo Mama’s ...

(85 min, pg.58) (95 min, pg.64) (73 min, pg.66)

9:30 Point Blank (DAD)

(84 min, pg.76)

5:15 5:15 Eating Out - Drama Camp My Mama Said Yo Mama’s...

(85 min, pg.58) (90 min, pg.54) (95 min, pg.64) (87 min, pg.51)

7:15 Four More Years

(90 min, pg.56)

7:15 The Evening Dress

9:15 9:30 Our Lips Are Sealed (Shorts) Birthright (DAD) (97 min, pg.31) (77 min, pg.45)

(98 min, pg.54)

(108 min, pg.80)

For Tickets • Schedule Updates • Festival News • Alliance Membership

Ritz East Theater 1

Ritz East Theater 2

Ritz at the Bourse

4:45 5:00 5:00 Finding Mr. Wright This Is What Love in Action ...

Gigola (100 min, pg.56) (75 min, pg.69)

Wed July 13

7:00 7:15 Short & Sweet (Shorts) My Last Round (84 min, pg.47) 9:15 House of Boys 5:00 Looking for Simon

Thu July 14

7:15 Gun Hill Road 9:30 Buffering 5:00 Absent

Fri July 15

7:00 Circumstance 9:30 Longhorns 12:30 August 2:45 Buffering

Sat Jul 16

4:45 Gun Hill Road 7:30 eCupid

(113 min, pg.60)

(89 min, pg.62) (88 min, pg.58) (91 min, pg.53) (87 min, pg.51) (105 min, pg.27) (90 min, pg.32) (100 min, pg.51) (91 min, pg.53)

9:30 Hold Your Peace 5:00 Four More Years 7:00 Finding Me: Truth 9:30 Kink Crusaders 5:00 Unhappy Birthday

(104 min, pg.64) (96 min, pg.59)

(90 min, pg.56) (100 min, pg.55)

7:15 Tomboy 9:30 Finisterrae (DAD) 5:00 So Hard to Forget 7:15 Break My Fall

41 Parties and Events

(102 min, pg.57) (95 min, pg.70) (80 min, pg.79) (100 min, pg.68) (106 min, pg.53)

9:30 Unhappy Birthday (DAD) (91 min, pg.61) (89 min, pg.70) (89 min, pg.70)

5:00 Break My Fall

(106 min, pg.53)

7:15 Mangus!

7:15 Finding Mr. Wright (90 min, pg.33) (100 min, pg.56)

9:30 Go Go Crazy

9:30 In a Glass Cage (DAD) (110 min, pg.79) (90 min, pg.57)

12:00 My Last Round 2:15 Finding Me: Truth

12:15 Soft Stud Shuffle (Shorts) (104 min, pg.64) (95 min, pg.47) (100 min, pg.55)

2:30 Tomboy

(95 min, pg.70)

4:45 5:15 Puppy Love and Lust (Shorts) Married in Spandex (88 min, pg.58) (89 min, pg.46) (67 min, pg.63) 7:00 7:30 Jamie and Jessie Are Not ...

Romeos (100 min, pg.28) (95 min, pg.29)

Official What’s the Name of

(94 min, pg.67) the Dame? After Party

11 PM Voyeur, 9:30 9:15 10:00 1221 Saint James St The Art of Hardcore ...

What’s the Name of the Dame?

The Innkeepers (DAD) (90 min, pg.34) (101 min, pg.71) (100 min, pg.78) $10 for members/$15 general

12:15 eCupid

Sun Jul 17

(100 min, pg.28)

12:00 Romeos

(94 min, pg.67)

12:15 homo@lv

2:45 Mangus!

2:15 2:30 What’s the Name of the Dame?

Love Her or Leave Her (Shorts) (90 min, pg.33) (101 min, pg.71) (82 min, pg.45)

5:00 Longhorns

4:30 5:00 Jamie and Jessie Are Not ...

Hold Your Peace (90 min, pg.32) (95 min, pg.29)

7:15 August

(100 min, pg.51)

7:00 Gigola

(102 min, pg.57)

7:15 Looking for Simon

9:15 9:30 9:30 Puppy Love and Lust (Shorts) Kink Crusaders Karate-Robo Zaborgar (DAD) (89 min, pg.46) (101 min, pg.78) 5:00 To Be Announced

Mon Jul 18

(76 min, pg.60)

7:00 7:00 Going Down in La-La Land To Be Announced (105 min, pg.25) 9:15 To Be Announced

(pg.71) (pg.71) (pg.71)

(96 min, pg.59) (89 min, pg.62) (91 min, pg.61)

5:00 To Be Announced 7:15 To Be Announced 9:30 To Be Announced (DAD)

(pg.71) (pg.71) 9:30pm-1am Closing Festivities with Awards Ceremony at Trust (pg.12) (pg.71)

visit www.qfest.com or call 267.765.9800 x4 or friend us at facebook.com/QFestPhilly

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Shorts PROGRAMS

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Our Lips Are Sealed

Cyclicity Bloodline Love Her or Leave Her

Our Lips Are Sealed

Sunday, July 10 • 5:00 • Ritz at the Bourse Sunday, July 17 • 2:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

Tuesday, July 12 • 9:15 • Ritz East 2

Program Runtime: 82 minutes

Our Lips Are Sealed

Program Runtimes: 77 minutes

There is so much to be said about the intricate, intense, fervent, sometimes frustrating but exquisite nature of lesbian relationships. This collection of short films tackles the complexities of love as well as the romantic and frequently funny situations that occur after girl meets girl. – Robert O’Neill

Cyclicity

(USA, 2011, 10 min, Jason Knade) A girl-meets-girl story that explores philosophical themes and contemporary romance, Cyclicity introduces us to two young ladies who get to know one another on a ferris wheel while discussing the theoretical future of their brand new relationship.

AWOL (USA, 2010, 14 min, Deb Shoval) Only days away from her deployment to Afghanistan, 19-year-old Joey sees an opportunity to escape both the army and her rural Pennsylvania town by fleeing to Canada with her married, closeted girlfriend.

Fresh Air Therapy (Germany, 2009, 6 min, Christoph Scheermann) Petra and Kerstin, two women in their 40’s, are sitting in their relationship counselor’s office when the power goes out. The counselor leaves. The ladies stay. They came to let off some steam … and they do – alone, in the dark, in a very unusual therapeutic fashion. (German with English subtitles) Bye Bi Love

(USA, 2010, 14 min, Giovanna Chesler) A happily coupled woman’s life is momentarily paused when she receives an invitation to her ex-girlfriend’s wedding. On top of that, the wedding will be presided over by her ex-husband! How does the vow go? “Till death do you part ... with your past”?

Poker Face

(USA, 2010, 14 min, Becky Lane) Writer/director Becky Lane, who earned great praise at last year’s festival with her short film Hens and Chicks, returns with this intelligent, brilliantly acted drama about a group of lesbian friends who are shocked when one of their closest poker buddies makes a shocking revelation.

(USA, 2011, 48 min, John Gallino) In the summer of 2010, two bold and courageous college students set out to break the record for the world’s longest continuous kiss. Matty Daley and Bobby Canciello - two charismatic boy-nextdoor-types - drew Internet users, celebrities, and news media from around the world to watch them vie for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Political satirist Stephen Colbert even acknowledged them on his Comedy Central show – stating that Matty and Bobby were, “destroying the traditional sanctity of ‘Straight World Records.’” Cheered (and jeered) by fellow students on their campus – and numerous viewers online – Matty and Bobby’s story has been a source of inspiration to many. This riveting and truly touching new documentary documents the event – condensing the 32 hours 30 minutes and 45 seconds that Matty and Bobby spent together with locked lips into a concise 48 minutes.

Entertaining, informative and completely engrossing, the film sheds light on all of the hard work, preparation and unfailing support that went into breaking the record and changing a few minds in the process.

It’s Just a Community Place

(USA, 2011, 29 min, Todd Cross) What are the issues at play when a LGBT community grows in a transitional area of a small city? The opening of a new lesbian-owned restaurant in the Hawley-Green neighborhood of Syracuse, New York challenges the definition and evolution of “community.” This documentary from director Todd Cross takes us through the process of opening Laci’s Tapas Bar in the heart of thishistoric district – and shows what a strong, colorful community can accomplish when they put their hearts and minds together.

Tech Support (USA, 2010, 9 min, Erik Gernand) A slightly disillusioned, highly frustrated young woman, recently dumped by her girlfriend, gets some extra special attention when her tech support call is answered by a similarly lonely romantic.

Avec Elle

(Canada, 2010, 8 min, Sophie Richer) Two young girls meet and fall in love. Though drawn to each other through their different art forms, they are sometimes also torn apart as they try to find a way to balance both of the loves in their lives: art and one another. (French with English subtitles)

more information online • www.qfest.com

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PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Blocks

I Was a Teenage Werebear

Puppy Love and Lust

Short & Scary

Saturday, July 16 • 4:45 • Ritz East 2 Sunday, July 17 • 9:15 • Ritz East 2

Friday, July 8 • 9:30 • Ritz East 2 Monday, July 11 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2

Program Runtime: 89 minutes

Program Runtime: 84 minutes

Ahhhh, sweet youth! Who doesn’t remember their first love – or, at least, their first infatuation? This program showcases what it’s like to be young, gay and full of burgeoning desire – something that doesn’t necessarily go away with age. – Robert O’Neill

WARNING: These short films are not for the faint of heart. That’s why we’ve assembled them in one jaw-dropping collection of gay horror! The filmmakers behind these shorts – both frightening and funny – are not afraid to push the envelope. If you have a taste for thrills and chills, make sure you don’t miss this program! – Robert O’Neill

Blocks

(Chile, 2010, 15 min, Marialy Rivas) 13-year-old Luchito can’t help obsessing over his slightly older neighbor, Manuel. Luchito’s bedroom window offers a perfect view of Manuel’s first straight sexual encounter.

Manuel even knows that Luchito is looking … and he likes it. But what starts out as innocent voyeurism soon turns dangerous in the turbulent atmosphere of Santiago in the mid-1980s. (Spanish with English subtitles)

Coming Out

(Sweden, 2011, 5 min, Jerry Carlsson) A teen boy makes an important decision: He’s finally going to tell his parents that he’s gay. But is it the right time? What should he say? How will they react? Sometimes, deciding to do something and actually doing it are two very different things.

(Swedish with English subtitles)

Friday’s Child

(Denmark, 2010, 10 min, Tom Kietz) A touching tale from Denmark, Friday’s Child observes two open-minded boys from different backgrounds who share an awkward but tender first kiss. (Danish with English subtitles)

Cappuccino

(France, 2010, 16 min, Tamer Ruggli) Jérémie is a shy teenager who keeps his homosexuality from his generous but protective mother. When he scores a “date” with Damien, his classmate and sexual fantasy, things take an unexpected emotional turn that could force some of his well-kept secrets out into the open. (French with English subtitles)

Plus: Prior to the Friday screening Sean Paul Lockhart will receive the QFest Rising Star Award.

Watch Over Me

(Israel, 2010, 15 min, Mysh Rozanov) Sexy soldier Eitan has just completed his training with a secret unit of the Israeli army. During a night of celebration, things take a very strange turn. Shahar, a cute and charismatic hook-up, learns the hard way just how “elite” Eitan’s unit really is. (Hebrew with English subtitles)

House for Sale

(Canada, 2011, 18 min, Eisha Marjara) In this suspenseful film from writer/ director Eisha Marjara, a curious cross-dresser meets the unsuspecting wife of his married secret lover when he shows up as a prospective home buyer at their open house.

Remission

(USA, 2010, 13 min, Greg Ivan Smith) Not for the squeamish, this truly terrifying horror short from QFest veteran Greg Ivan Smith (The Back Room) follows a sick man, alone is his secluded cabin, who is being stalked by a mysterious figure with malevolent intentions.

More or Less

Regrets

Love, 100°C

I Was a Teenage Werebear

(Brazil, 2010, 14 min, Alexander Antunes Siqueira) Despite the best efforts of their parents and school officials to encourage mutual respect, Sandro and Ivo’s relationship can’t seem to evolve past that of bully and victim … until one fateful night, when some true, hidden feelings are unexpectedly revealed. (Portugese with English subtitles)

(South Korea, 2010, 22 min, Kim Jho Kwang-soo) In this provocative, sexually-frank film, an introverted deaf student has his first passionate experience with an eager bathhouse masseur, but tries to conceal his primal yearnings from his oppressive older brother and bullying classmates.

(Korean with English subtitles)

The Queen

(USA, 2010, 8 min, Christina Choe) Bobby, a KoreanAmerican teen outcast, is working at his family’s dry cleaning business on the night before prom. When the prom queen and her very cute boyfriend stop by with some last minute requests, Bobby begins having his own private prom to remember.

(USA, 2011, 10 min, Michelle Pollino) Local filmmaker Michelle Pollino (the director behind QFest 2009’s Best Short Film Award winner Looking For) returns with this chilling entry about an exciting one-night-stand that goes horribly wrong the next morning.

(USA, 2011, 28 min, Tim Sullivan) This spoof of ’60s drive-in flicks features five rock and roll musical numbers in a mash-up of Roger Corman and John Waters that follows a day in the life of closeted new kid Ricky O’Reilly (Sean Paul Lockhart, aka adult film superstar Brent Corrigan), who falls for Malibu High’s mysterious bad boy Talon (Anton Troy). When aroused, the two transform into bestial leather daddies – the titular “werebears”.

more information online • www.qfest.com

Shorts PROGRAMS

Rubdown

47

Right Body

Short & Sweet

Soft Stud Shuffle

Wednesday, July 13 • 7:00 • Ritz East 1

Saturday, July 16 • 12:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

Program Runtime: 84 minutes

Program Runtime: 95 minutes

From first crushes to elderly companionship, this is a compilation of romantic themes from across the spectrum of gay relationships. The filmmakers behind these shorts understand the process of searching for a special soulmate.

– Robert O’Neill

Not every little girl wants to be Barbie when she grows up. In fact, there are many who aspire more to Ken – flaunting their masculinity proudly with a cute blonde on their arm. Even in this day and age, life can be difficult for those who don’t fit society’s idea of how a lady should behave: these short films celebrate strong women who don’t conform to gender norms.

– Robert O’Neill

The Colonel’s Outing

(New Zealand, 2011, 17 min, Christopher Banks) Eighty-something Tristan Arthur Jones used to write about fictional war heroes, and fell in love with every single one. He always hoped he’d meet one for real, and with the arrival of Colonel Robert Leadley at his rest home, it seems like his dreams may have come true. But why is the Matron so disturbed by their blossoming relationship?

Green Line

(Canada, 2010, 4 min, Germain Collinge Ménard) The very definition of “short and sweet,” this film offers a quick glimpse of two young men who exchange furtive glances and unspoken longing on the Montreal metro.

Stay

(Canada, 2010, 8 min, Aaron Chan) A young gay Chinese couple’s relationship comes into question when one of them refuses to stay the night.

Go-Go

(USA, 2010, 11 min, Dennis Shinners) A good-looking but lonely DJ makes his way to Fire Island for a gig. His insecurities are laid to rest once he meets a handsome go-go boy who wants to spend the night. But, what is going to happen in the morning?

Sylvia’s Spell

(USA, 2011, 13 min, Randy Caspersen) An amateur witch on the lookout for love makes a terrible mistake while concocting a spell. When her magic has unexpected consequences on her gay best friend, she must quickly learn to undo her voodoo or face a future full of guilt and regret.

Rubdown

(USA, 2010, 13 min, Dennis Hensley) Andrew is a “secret shopper” who goes undercover at an exclusive spa to entrap a rogue masseur who may be straying from the company’s modesty policy. Cover those nipples, fellas!

I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone

(Brazil, 2010, 17 min, Daniel Ribeiro) The arrival of a new student in school changes Leonardo’s life. This 15-year-old blind teenager has to deal with the jealousy of his friend Giovana while figuring out the romantic feelings he’s having for his new friend Gabriel. (Portugese with English subtitles)

Git Along, Little Dogies

(USA, 2010, 9 min, Kate Lain) It ain’t easy having breasts, especially if you’re in love with physics and potato launchers. This charming short from writer/director/star Kate Lain describes one woman’s coming-of-age in a world that underestimates her abilities.

Chained!

(USA, 2010, 14 min, Betsy Kalin) Did you know that lesbians are the biggest consumers of chain wallets in the country? This fun, humorous documentary follows several ladies who discuss their all-consuming love of chains and how they relate to individual identity.

About Her (USA, 2010, 11 min, Melinda James) Filming in crisp black and white, director Melinda James follows Vita and Bella - two strong, expressive women who share an intense relationship - and blends their story with soulful elements of hip hop culture.

Butch Tits (Canada, 2010, 4 min, Jen Crothers) In this fast-paced, award-winning doc from director Jen Crothers, butch women discuss the sometimes complicated relationship they have with their breasts.

James Dean (UK, 2010, 7 min, Lucy Asten Elliott) The notion of a “family outing” takes on a whole new meaning when young Alex is forced to share a secret with her family before they leave their driveway for a day trip.

Alex figures that, if she has to come out, at least she can do it in style.

Bearded Man (Germany, 2010, 12 min, Maria Pavlidou) Meral’s grandmother always told her that she should marry a man with a beard. And Meral may have finally found the perfect bearded man within herself – one that isn’t afraid to stand up to her oppressive father’s male chauvinism. (German with English subtitles) Right Body

(Italy, 2010, 18 min, Jennifer Norton) The ignorant, drunken comments of a straight frat boy-type stir up contempt and anxiety for a pair of ordinarily self-assured gay women in this short film about sexual identity, the power of friendship, and the process of learning to be one’s self.

(Italian with English subtitles)

Alice in Andrews Land

(USA, 2011, 20 min, Lauren Mackenzie) Alice Turner’s recent return home from Iraq has caused her upset enough, and now her employment struggle is only adding to that heartache. We follow Alice down a rigorous path of painful events where desperation quickly sets in. What extent will Alice go to in order to keep her life together?

more information online • www.qfest.com

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50

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Two by Scud Scud, despite the memorable single name, is possibly the most talented queer filmmaker you’ve never heard of! He has had two films that received worldwide festival play and commercial success in Asia (Permanent Residence in 2009 and City without Baseball in 2008), yet neither is available on DVD in the US. That may change quite soon with the release of his two most recent films: 2010’s Amphetamine, and Love Actually…Sucks which is having its world premiere screening this year at QFest. The hallmarks of a Scud film? First gorgeous young men, more often than not in the nude (showcasing the Bruce Weber-like beauty of his male leads), stylish Hong Kong locationss, elaborately designed sets, impressive cinematography and unpredictable stories that are sexy explorations of what it is to be queer and Asia today. Mainland China-born, Scud began his career in IT, started his own company, moved to Australia and then returned to Hong Kong in 2005 to begin a new chapter in his life: filmmaking. Scud and talent from his films will be traveling from Hong Kong to introduce the screenings of his films at QFest.

Amphetamine

Love Actually…Sucks

Friday, July 8 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Saturday, July 9 • 12:15 • Ritz East 2

Saturday, July 9 • 7:30 • Ritz at the Bourse Sunday, July 10 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

Philadelphia Premiere Hong Kong (China) 2010, 97 min

World Premiere Hong Kong (China) 2011, 94 min

A poor straight swimming instructor falls passionatly in love with a rich businessman. But will his drug addition and the haunted memories of his past doom their relationship?

Sex and love are thrown in the spin cycle in this erotic drama about the troubled romances of a group of young people.

Amphetamine tells the erotic, troubled, intense and at times violent relationship between a young straight man (the stunning Byron Pang) and a wealthy Euro-Asian (Thomas Price). Kafka is a swimming and martial arts instructor who works to take care of his ailing mother and to feed his drug addiction.

Stuck in an unsatisfying relationship with a woman, he falls for the openly gay Daniel. The two become passionate lovers. But will their cultural, financial and sexual differences, and Kafka’s haunted past and present drug addition be too much for them to overcome? Set amidst Hong Kong’s beautiful and wealthy, and in a spectacular high rise apartment, the tortured gay love story is infused with striking cinematography and fantasy sequences.

(Cantonese with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Scud Cast: Byron Pang, Thomas Price, Winnie Leung, Linda So Screenwriter: Scud Producer: Scud Cinematographer: Charlie Lam Editor: Heiward Mak Print Source: Media Luna New Films

Taking inspiration from six different court cases involving crimes of the heart, Scud examines the intense, often self-destructive sexual longings among several well-to-do young Hong Kong residents – gay, lesbian and straight. The film opens with the most scandalous wedding reception ever put on film: a young couple’s marriage ends (in the most dramatic fashion) before it begins. There is the 30-ish married gym instructor who trolls the active bathroom scene for young flesh; a lesbian couple with roleplay issues; a dance instructor who becomes the object of attraction to his much older student; a married painter who falls for his male model; a brother and sister who take family togetherness a bit too literally; and a young man who becomes increasingly deranged until he takes his love interest problems into his own hands. In Scud’s world, every love story is a fairy tale – but here the stories are sexual and troubling. Overall, a complex, sensual and compelling film.

(Cantonese with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Scud Cast: Osman Hung, Tang Wei, Owen Lee, Ryo Van Kooten, Alice Chen, Cecilia Cheng Screenwriter: Scud Producer: Scud Print Source: Media Luna New Films

Scud’s Filmography: Permanent Residence (2009); City Without Baseball (2008); Amphetamine (2010)

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

Absent

August

Ausente

Saturday, July 16 • 12:30 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 17 • 7:15 • Ritz East 1

Tuesday, July 12 • 7:15 • Ritz East 1 Friday, July 15 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1

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East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 100 min

East Coast Premiere Argentina 2010, 87 min

A calculating high school student attempts to seduce his somewhat older swimming instructor in this tense sexual drama.

Fresh from his fascinating - if controversial - 2009 debut film, Plan B, Argentine filmmaker Marco Berger continues his focus on hitherto heterosexual men who develop feelings for other men. Knowingly, even aggressively sexual, 16-year-old Martin locks his seductive sights on Sebastian, his 30-ish recently engaged swimming instructor. Faking an injury, Martin eventual tricks his teacher into letting him spend the night at his apartment. As Sebastian begins to realize the possible sexual interest on the part of his student he is conflicted: he is dismissive, but his curiosity is piqued by the boy’s overt advances. An extraordinary event soon forces the increasingly troubled Sebastian to question his own feelings for the student. Absent is not a simple boy-meets-boy drama. It’s a taut, and at times, incredible sexy drama of repressed passion, guilt and regret. There are no easy answers in this edgy sexual thriller that won the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival.

(Spanish with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray

With the style of a European art filmmaker, director/co-writer Eldar Rapaport tells the story of a gay love triangle by using innovative edits, a beautiful (frequently naked) cast and an exploration of how we find our life’s love.

Filmmaker Eldar Rapaport’s shorts Steam and Postmortem were both QFest hits, and his feature debut is a truly creative approach to the classic love triangle.

At the start of the film, Jonathan and Raul form what appears to be a happy couple in L.A. However, Jonathan retains his own apartment and has an air of the unresolved adolescent about him. Raul, an Argentine immigrant in a green card marriage, is the more grounded of the pair and holds a job as a bartender as he awaits his final work papers. Troy, after spending a few years in Spain, forms the third corner of the triangle when he returns to L.A.. Troy is trouble: he’s the man who broke Jonathan’s heart and, we soon learn, is still in Jonathan’s blood.

Using time jumps, creative editing and a lack of black and white answers, the filmmaker represents the story as life itself is; full of difficult decisions, broken hearts, memories that flash into our consciousness and the knowledge that true love is out there somewhere. —Scott Cranin

Director: Marco Berger Cast: Carlos Echevarria, Javier De Pietro, Antonella Costa Screenwriter: Marco Berger Producers: Marco Berger, Mariana Contreras, Pablo Ingercher Casas Cinematographer: Tomas Perez Silva Editor: Marco Berger Print Source: Rendezvous Pictures

Director: Eldar Rappaport Cast: Murray Bartlett, Daniel Dugan, Adrian Gonzalez, Hillary Banks, Bernhard Forcher, Brad Standley, Mike Vaughn Screenwriter: Eldar Rappaport (based on a story by Eldar Rapaport and Brian Sloan) Producers: Samantha Manalang, Alexander Brodzki Cinematographer: James Adolphus Editor: David Au Print Source: Film Collaborative

Marco Berger’s Filmography: Cinco (2010); Plan B (2009)

August is Eldar Rappaport’s debut.

more information online • www.qfest.com

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PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Bite Marks

Blackmail Boys

Saturday, July 9 • 9:45 • Ritz East 2 Sunday, July 10 • 12:15 • Ritz East 1

Friday, July 8 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse Sunday, July 10 • 9:30 • Ritz East 2

East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 84 min

Philadelphia Premiere USA 2010, 68 min

Flesh-eating zombies set their sights on a sexually repressed truck driver and a young gay couple in this alternately funny, sexy and gory horror flick.

Bernard and Richard Shumanski, the filmmakers behind the 2009 gay hit Wrecked, return with a similarly sexy, yet heartfelt follow-up that won both the Jury and Audience Awards for Best Feature Film at the 2011 SHOUT Birmingham Film Festival.

In recent years there have been a bevy of gay (and gayish) horror films, but you will probably not find one as funny, spoofy, sexy and rotting-flesh zombiefied as Bite Marks. Hunky truck driver Brewster (Benjamin Lutz, The Love Patient) takes over his missing brother’s delivery of coffins. On the way to his funeral home destination, he picks up some hitchhikers: the cute and wise-cracking Cary and his smitten but tense boyfriend Vogel. The couple’s relationship is on the rocks (though that doesn’t stop them from some hot-and-noisy gas station toilet fucking, which ignites the repressed homo in the voyeuristic Brewster). With dicks back in pants, trouble descends on the threesome when a faulty GPS leads them into a deserted junkyard, where the truck promptly breaks down. Normally, this would not be a terrible situation.

But this night is far from normal, as an assortment of blood-thirty zombies begin to attack! Now the mismatched trio must fend off the marauding monsters and try to survive until dawn. With plenty of witty asides, sexy encounters and fleshtearing scenes, this low budget gem delivers the goods! —Raymond Murray Director: Mark Bessenger Cast: Windham Beacham, Stephen Geoffreys, Benjamin Lutz, Lou Cass, John Werskey, Jon Gale, David Alanson, Miranda Downey Screenwriter: Mark Bessenger Producer: Dennis Ashe Cinematographer: Clifton Radford Editor: Mike Justice Print Source: Blakk Flamingo Pictures

Bite Marks is Mark Bessenger’s debut.

Sam and Aaron are frustrated by their long-distance relationship: they have been apart since Sam left Tennessee for art school in Chicago. Unfulfilled by webcam masturbation sessions, Aaron decides to join Sam. But tensions soon arise, as Sam has been earning extra cash by turning tricks. Determined to find money so that Sam can quit hustling, Aaron concocts a devious plan: One of Sam’s clients is Andrew K. Tucker (Joe Swanberg), a notorious anti-gay activist who uses social networking sites to spread his message to teens. The pair decides to blackmail the evangelist, filming him in the middle of an aggressive encounter. But Andrew doesn’t take threats lying down. Sam and Aaron soon realize that they are traveling down a dangerous path. Filmed in a cinéma vérité style, Blackmail Boys’s natural performances lend a refreshing authenticity and a liberated attitude toward sexuality. The cast leaves nothing to the imagination, laying bare their bodies and emotions while creating sympathetic characters that stand apart from those you might expect to find in a pulpy, sexually-charged thriller. —Robert O’Neill Directors: Bernard Shumanski, Richard Shumanski Cast: Joe Swanberg, Nathan Adloff, Taylor Reed, Danny Rhodes, Marc Singletary, Tamara Fana, Spencer Parsons Screenwriters: Bernard Shumanski, Richard Shumanski Producers: Bernard Shumanski, Richard Shumanski Cinematographer: Adam Wingard Editors: Bernard Shumanski, Richard Shumanski Print Source: TLA Releasing

Bernard Shumanski and Richard Shumanski’s Filmography: Wrecked (2009) Program includes the short:

I Want Your Love

(USA, 2010, 14 min, Travis Matthews) A pair of cute hipster buddies hanging out at home wonder why they have never had sex with each other ... and go to exciting lengths to rectify the situation. But is sex the quickest way to ruin a friendship? Or could it effectively bring two closer? Warning: I Want Your Love features graphic and real sex.

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

53

Break My Fall

Buffering

Thursday, July 14 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse Friday, July 15 • 5:00 • Ritz at the Bourse

Thursday, July 14 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1 Saturday, July 16 • 2:45 • Ritz East 1

East Coast Premiere UK 2011, 106 min

Philadelphia Premiere UK 2011, 80 min

Filled with sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, Break My Fall brilliantly follows a sexy gender-bending dyke couple who work hard and play harder in East London’s vibrant queer underground.

From the makers of Shank and Release comes this British sex comedy about a young couple who decide to broadcast their sex life via webcam to pay the bills.

Set across three days, baby butch Liza (Kat Redstone) and fiery Sally (Sophie Anderson) are a couple struggling to make ends meet both financially and emotionally. This tumultuous pair find respite with their incestuous friends; in the success of their band, The Blankets; snorting coke; and their fervent sex life.

Everything comes to a head the day that Liza turns 25 and the lovers decide this is the turning point in their relationship. What starts out as quiet and romantic rapidly descends into an ominous night that will redefine their lives. Director Kanchi Wichmann splendidly captures the beauty and volatility that surrounds young love. Break My Fall is one of those films that sticks in your conscious for a very long time. —Kelly Burkhardt

This satirical comedy follows a young, gay, suburban British couple who suddenly find themselves over their heads in debt. They turn to their talents — sexual prowess, Internet skills, and entrepreneurial ingenuity — to solve their dilemma. Without plan A or B, our heroes Seb and Aaron get creative and take matters into their own hands, turning their bedroom into a porn studio and selling their wares online to sex-hungry consumers. The couple’s life is quickly and easily changed now that “they’re getting paid for getting laid.” Becoming better at selling themselves, the physical, emotional and industry demands start to take a toll on their relationship. But they’ve got to pay the bills, so they keep it up. There are many humorous moments as our couple makes their vanilla sex more varied, spicier, kinkier and toy-filled to give instant gratification and satisfaction to their increasing fan base. Add a transsexual, a handsome straight boy-next-door and an unexpected plot twist to the sexual escapades, and one has this delightfully entertaining, sexy romp. —Thom Cardwell

Director: Kanchi Wichmann Cast: Kat Redstone, Sophie Anderson, Kai Brandon Ly, Collin Clay Chace, Morgan Rhys Screenwriter: Kanchi Wichmann Producers: Kanchi Wichmann, Matteo Rolleri, Billy Wiz Cinematographer: Dawid Pietkiewicz Editor: Gaia Borretti Print Source: Break My Films Ltd.

Break My Fall is Kanchi Wichmann’s debut.

Directors: Christian Martin, Darren Flaxstone Cast: Alex Anthony, Conner Mckenzy, Jessica Matthews, Oliver Park, Bernie Hodges Screenwriters: Christian Martin, Darren Flaxstone Producer: Christian Martin Cinematographer: Jack O’Dowd Editor: Darren Flaxstone Print Source: TLA Releasing

Christian Martin, Darren Flaxstone’s Filmography: Release (2010) Program includes the short:

Fucked

(UK, 2011, 11 min, Jack O’Dowd) Writer Christian Martin and director Jack O’Dowd, two men behind this year’s feature Buffering, follow a 16-year-old boy who spends a night out at a gay nightclub and soon finds himself involved in a dangerous situation that will have ramifications for the rest of his life.

more information online • www.qfest.com

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PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Eating Out - Drama Camp

The Evening Dress

Saturday, July 9 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Tuesday, July 12 • 5:15 • Ritz East 2

La Robe du soir Friday, July 8 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2 Tuesday, July 12 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

World Premiere USA 2011, 90 min

Chris Salvatore and Daniel Skelton return, along with Rebekah Kochan and cult icon Mink Stole in the fourth installment of Q. Allan Brocka’s hilarious and sexy Eating Out series!

Zack and Casey’s relationship is in a slump, but things are about to change this summer at Dick Dickey’s Drama Camp! When Zack meets Benji there is an instant connection. But not wanting to interfere with Zack’s current relationship, Benji pretends to be straight. When Benji and Zack get cast as lovers in an updated, sexed-up version of “The Taming of the Shrew”, their self-restraint is put to the test. And when the sparks start to fly, Casey’s trusted friend Penny takes matters into her own hands by setting a poison oak trap for Benji so that Casey can step in as Benji’s understudy. But when Beau (Ronnie Kroell, “Make Me a Supermodel”) starts crushing on Casey, Casey wonders if he and Zack are really meant to be together after all. Meanwhile, Jason, the straight director who likes to film gay guys to impress the straight chicks, starts falling for Lilly (Harmony Santana, Gun Hill Road, also playing at QFest this year), the transgendered girl. As if all that’s not enough, Aunt Helen (Mink Stole) has tapped into her inner couger and takes on a new boy toy, Andy.

Introducing a diverse ensemble of characters, Eating Out: Drama Camp is an over-the-top raunchy comedy with the innocence of summer love.

Director: Q. Allan Brocka Cast: Chris Salvatore, Daniel Skelton, Aaron Milo, Harmony Santana, Lilach Mendelovich, Steven Daigle, Rob Westin, Drew Droege, Cleo Anderson, Jesse Archer, Michael Serrato, Rebekah Kochan, Mink Stole Screenwriters: Phillip J. Bartell, Q. Allan Brocka Producer: Michael Jack Shoel Cinematographer: Amanda Treyz Editor: Phillip J. Bartell Print Source: Ariztical

Philadelphia Premiere France 2009, 98 min

Juliette, a 12-year-old tomboy, develops a crush that borders on obsession with a stylish, uninhibited female teacher in this daring coming-of-age story.

Teacher crushes seem to be a right of passage for any budding lesbian. We can all relate to the frustration of seeing our male counterparts freely flirting with and courting the object of our affections while we quietly burn inside. In this intense coming-of-age story, Juliette, a young tomboy, develops a crush on Mrs. Solenska, her witty, popular and provocative teacher who delights in giving the students - especially the boys - lessons in life and love along with the ABC’s.

Her attention to one particular boy in the class forces Juliette into a jealous fervor that alters all of their lives. French cinema is known for its realistic portrayals of adolescent sexual awakening and The Evening Dress doesn’t shy away from the ache and melancholy of youth. Beautifully shot, full of passion and angst, this is a must-see film with bravura performances enhancing a tense and intriguing story. (French with English subtitles) —Suzi Nash Director: Myriam Aziza Cast: Alba Gaia Bellugi, Lio, Sophie Mounicot, Léo Legrand Screenwriters: Myriam Aziza, Sophie Bredier Producers: Edouard Mauriat, Anne Cecile Berthomeau, Fares Ladjimi Cinematographer: Benoit Chamaillard Editor: Ariane MelleT Print Source: Mille et une Productions

Myriam Aziza’s Filmography: L’an prochain à Jérusalem (2007); Nos traces silencieuses (1998)

Q. Allan Brocka’s Filmography: Boy Culture (2006); Eating Out (2004)

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

A Few Days of Respite

Finding Me: Truth

Quelques jours de répit

Thursday, July 14 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Saturday, July 16 • 2:15 • Ritz East 2

Sunday, July 10 • 4:45 • Ritz East 2

East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 100 min

Philadelphia Premiere Algeria, France 2010, 80 min

A pair of gay men escape from Iran and seek safety in a small French village, but freedom, love and happiness clearly have a price in this quiet drama.

After escaping Iran, where their relationship would mean a death sentence, middle-aged lovers Hassan and Mohsen find themselves at a small-town station in France waiting for a train to Paris. Sitting apart to avoid unwanted police attention, Mohsen, a linguist who speaks perfect French, soon strikes up a lively conversation with Yolande, an older well-groomed widow, traveling alone. Finding his companionship stimulating, Yolande decides, on the spur of the moment, to offer Mohsen the opportunity of some day-labor work in her apartment. In need of the extra income, Hassan and Mohsen break short their journey and hole up in a cheap hotel, around the corner from Yolande. Simple in its structure and its story-telling, A Few Days of Respite cleverly exposes the longings and achings of three human hearts, and the risky decisions you have to make to survive in an alien environment. (French with English subtitles) —Carol Coombes Director: Amor Hakkar Cast: Marina Vlady, Samir Guesmi, Amor Hakkar Screenwriter: Amor Hakkar Producers: Florence Bouteloup, Merah Hakkar Cinematographer: Nicolas Roche Print Source: Florence Bouteloup

Amor Hakkar’s Filmography: The Yellow House (2008) Program includes the short:

We Once Were Tide

55

(UK, 2010, 18 min, Jason Bradbury) This heart-wrenching romantic drama tells the story of Anthony and Kyle, young lovers spending their last night together on a small rural island before Kyle moves away, leaving Anthony to look after his terminally ill mother alone.

A wild ensemble cast highlights Roger Omeus’ romantic drama about a group of love- and sex-obsessed Jersey City friends navigating the treacherous waters of relationships.

Who knew Jersey City could be such a hotbed of gay drama? Less of a sequel (one needn’t have seen Finding Me to enjoy this movie) than a new approach, Truth follows the loves, losses, fights, jealousies and broken hearts of a group of friends. It centers around the sweet, bright-eyed and emotionally vulnerable Faybien (RayMartell Moore). Comfortable with his gayness but saddled with self-esteem issues, Faybien’s love life is put into an emotional spin when his ex, Lonnie, returns with an interest in reigniting their relationship. You’d think that he’d get a sympathetic ear from his friends, but they already have their own issues. Reggie’s in love with bisexual, non-committal Greg; high-strung queen bee Amera is certain her boyfriend is cheating on her; and the always-meddling muscle queen Jay is busy confronting his rough trade boyfriend’s girlfriend. A memorable cast of African-American actors contribute to make Truth a fast, touching and furious emotional ride! —Raymond Murray Director: Roger S. Omeus Jr. Cast: RayMartell Moore, J’Nara Corbin, Eugene Turner, Maurice Murrell, Derrick L. Briggs, Josh Breckenridge, Bry’Nt, Ronald De Suze, Marcell Gumbs, Eric Joppy, Jake Krickhan, Miste Roule Ryals Screenwriter: Roger S. Omeus Jr. Producers: Roger S. Omeus Jr., Christopher Wilson, Sontaia P.Briggs (co-producer) Cinematographer: Nicholas DeWitt Editors: Roger S. Omeus Jr., Spencer Schilly Print Source: TLA Releasing

Roger S. Omeus Jr.’s Filmography: Finding Me (2009)

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

56

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Finding Mr. Wright

Four More Years

Wednesday, July 13 • 4:45 • Ritz East 1 Friday, July 15 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

Fyra år till Tuesday, July 12 • 7:15 • Ritz East 2 Thursday, July 14 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2

East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 100 min

The scewball comedies of Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant are given a 21st-century queer bent. Last year’s QFest Awardee Matthew Montgomery stars as the beleaguered talent manager to a hard-living TV star (gay icon Rebekah Kochan).

Can a work-obsessed gay man find love in the shallow waters of L.A.’s entertainment world? Clark Townsend (Matthew Montgomery) is single, successful and totally hot: but he’s married to his career, managing his best friend, TV actress Eddy Malone (Rebekah Kochan), a hard-living, booze-loving, fratboy-fraternizing party girl. Her constant antics make Clark increasingly high strung; not to mention his cross-dressing secretary Goldie; and most importantly, TJ, Eddy’s lesbian publicist, who is getting fed up with the messy drama. TJ brings handsome life counselor Pearce (David Moretti) to a party to try to help the out-of-control Eddy. Pearce knows Eddy needs help, but is immediately smitten with Clark, who is too busy cleaning up after Eddy to notice. Pearce suggests a weekend wilderness retreat to bring Eddy back down to earth – and to woo Clark. In the forest, Pearce attempts to lead this motley crew to a new outlook on life, and Clark to a romance – but will he even realize? Experienced television director Nancy Criss and debut screenwriter Jake Helgren bring a refreshing crispness that meshes with naturalistic, unforced performances from a superb cast. —Scott Cranin

Philadelphia Premiere Sweden 2010, 90 min

A politician’s personal and professional life is thrown into an uproar when he falls in love with another man… and a leader of the opposing party.

A gay political farce – Swedish style! David has it all. As a rising star in centerright politics, his good looks, a loving wife (and calculating political aid), and charming personality all help make him a front runner to be the next prime minister. That is, until a shocking election upset forces him out of power and into a downward spiral of self-pity and doubt. And when he is at his lowest, he meets and falls in love with the most unlikely of people: Martin, an openly gay man and secretary to the opposing party. When Martin’s boyfriend throws him out, an opportunity arises for the two to get to know each other better. But can the double whammy of not only falling for a man, but also a political opponent, ever allow the two to fall in love? In the hyper-divisive political climate of today, Four More Years’ frothy approach to sex and politics is a welcome and witty comedic tonic. (Swedish with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Tova Magnusson Cast: Björn Kjellman, Eric Ericson, Tova Magnusson Screenwriter: Wilhelm Behrman Producer: Martin Persson Cinematographers: Trolle Davidson, Viktor Davidson Editor: Dino Jonsäter Print Source: Cinenic Film

Tova Magnusson’s Filmography: Fröken Sverige (2004)

Director: Nancy Criss Cast: Matthew Montgomery, Rebekah Kochan, David Moretti, Jason Stuart, Scotch Ellis Loring, Evan Miller Screenwriter: Jake Helgren Producers: Nancy Criss, Matthew Montgomery, Tracy Wright Cinematographer: Damon Britain Editors: Nancy Criss, Sandra Mohr Print Source: Nandar Entertainment

Nancy Criss’s Filmography: A Dragon’s Tale (2006)

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

57

Gigola

Go Go Crazy

Wednesday, July 13 • 5:00 • Ritz at the Bourse Sunday, July 17 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2

Friday, July 15 • 9:30 • Ritz East 2

Philadelphia Premiere France 2009, 102 min

A wildly entertaining mockumentary about a bunch of male contestants vying for a title and a $1,000 cash prize at the City of Brotherly Love’s Go Go Boy Pageant.

In this incredibly sexy, hard-boiled narrative set in the seedy underbelly of 1960s Paris, a mischievous sapphic night-stalking gigolo preys upon rich lovers.

Dripping with riveting beauty, eye-popping sex and wicked panache, Gigola has it all! Charismatic, sultry, soft butch teen Georgia (Lou Doillion) breaks the shackles of her Catholic upbringing when she falls madly in love with her headmistress. Their torrid affair ends tragically a few years later, setting the stage for this young lesbian’s life. Now going by the name George, this sharply dressed dandy is a creature of the night. She precariously struts around the town befriending gangsters and collecting a harem of admiring women. One such devotee is a wealthy older woman (Marisa Paredes, Talk to Her), who carelessly tosses expensive gifts towards her brooding escort in exchange for titillating sexual favors. On the surface Gigola seems like a salacious depiction of urban lesbians, but at its core it is a clever character study on relationships and class structure. Director Laure Charpentier’s feature, adapted from her 1972 novel of the same name, is not to be missed! (French with English subtitles) —Kelly Burkhardt Director: Laure Charpentier Cast: Lou Doillon, Eduardo Noriega, Marie Kremer, Rossy De Palma Screenwriters: Laure Charpentier, Denise Petit-Didier Producer: Marie Amelie Cinematographer: Yorgos Arvanitis Editor: Chantal Hymans Print Source: Breaking Glass Pictures

Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 90 min

Drag queen extraordinaire Hedda Lettuce traveled down the turnpike to star with a cast of hunky unknowns who flex their muscles, shake their booties, and plot against the others all in an effort to win the coveted Stripper of the Year title in Philadelphia. And they’ll do whatever it takes to win. Director/producer Fred Caruso gives us exaggerated stereotypes who we love to hate: naive straightacting Ken; evil but cute twinkie Chase; “Jersey Shore” killer-body Vinnie T; exhibitionist ”straight” guy Connor and “gay-for-pay” Russian ballet dancer Kieran. Testosterone rises, tempers flare, and clothes are shed as comedy turns to nastier antics in the dressing room and hilarious performances on stage making for a genuine laugh-out-loud experience. A clever parody of Reality TV celebrity judges and behind-the-scenes interviews with contestants are the film’s genuinely funny high points. Despite hilarious attempts to sabotage the show, the winner takes all with a very happy but surprising ending. —Rexford Ferrante Director: Fred M. Caruso Cast: Eric Spear, Michael Cusumano, Ryan Winish, Nick Kenkel, Paul Cereghino, Rick Crom, Christina Bianco, Jake Steel, Hedda Lettuce, Derek St. Pierre Screenwriter: Fred M. Caruso Producers: Fred M. Caruso, Rich Wolff Cinematographer: Ahing Huang Print Source: Breaking Glass Pictures

Fred M. Caruso’s Filmography: The Big Gay Musical (co-director) (2009)

Gigola is Laure Charpentier’s debut.

more information online • www.qfest.com

58

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Gun Hill Road

Harvest

Thursday, July 14 • 7:15 • Ritz East 1 Saturday, July 16 • 4:45 • Ritz East 1

Stadt Land Fluss Monday, July 11 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Tuesday, July 12 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1

Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 88 min

In this tremendously poignant film, a Sundance Film Festival hit, Harmony Santana stars as a teenage boy transitioning to a woman at a time when her father returns home from prison.

Deeply moving, this film shot on location in the Bronx from debut filmmaker Rashaad Ernesto Green is the story of a father just released from prison, his wife, and their teenage son Michael (Harmony Santana), who is in the process of coming out as Vanessa, a transwoman. Enrique (Esai Morales) and Angela (Judy Reyes) have a lot of issues to deal with: Enrique tries to stay clean and out of jail and Angela struggles to keep her home and family together,protecting her child from her husband, who is unable to deal with the gender transition and lashes out in fear. The macho Enrique finds it impossible to understand that his son wants to become a woman – it’s not something he’s wired to comprehend.

Enrique struggles not only with his child’s gender, but with his own criminal past and friends. The whole cast and crew deserve kudos for their roles in this stunningly transcendent film, but Harmony Santana earns a call-out for her bravura performance as Michael/Vanessa in this must-see dramatic highlight of the festival. —Scott Cranin Director: Rashaad Ernesto Green Cast: Esai Morales, Judy Reyes, Harmony Santana, Vincent Laresca, Robin de Jesus, Miriam Colon Screenwriter: Rashaad Ernesto Green Producers: Ron Simons, Michelle-Anne M. Small Cinematographer: Daniel Patterson Editor: Sara Corrigan Print Source: US Filmworks

Gun Hill Road is Rashaad Ernesto Green’s debut.

Philadelphia Premiere Germany 2011, 85 min

Two young farmhands meet and tentatively begin a relationship in this absorbing German drama.

The vast majority of gay-themed films center on urban gays wittily seeking love and sex. But Harvest is refreshingly set in an entirely different world - a German farming community – where the relationship between two teens unfolds in a quietly absorbing fashion. Life on a farm is all that sullen teen Marco knows: he leads a quiet life of working, going to school and avoiding the advances of girls.

His self-imposed solitude ends when curly-haired Jakob, rejecting the banking world for farming, arrives to train on the farm. The two are initially cautious and tentative with each other but spurred by unspoken sexual tension, they become friends and more. But can two young men trapped in the countryside accept their homosexuality, let alone become lovers? An original take on coming out, Harvest may begin slowly as the world of the farming community is laid out for us, but when Marco and Jakob’s relationship builds, the story becomes sensual, romantic and amazingly real. (German with English subtitles) —RaymondMurray Director: Benjamin Cantu Cast: Lukas Steltner, Kai-Michael Mueller, Karin Butsch, Markus Franke, Holger Merten, Uwe Schaezel, Walter Schulze, Petra Thymian Screenwriter: Benjamin Cantu Producer: Bjorn Koll Cinematographer: Alexander Gheorghiu Editor: Szilvia Ruszev Print Source: TLA Releasing

Harvest is Benjamin Cantu’s debut.

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

59

Hold Your Peace

Hollywood To Dollywood

Wednesday, July 13 • 9:30 • Ritz East 2 Sunday, July 17 • 5:00 • Ritz at the Bourse

Saturday, July 9 • 2:30 • Ritz East 2 Monday, July 11 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1

World Premiere USA 2011, 96 min

East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 81 min

Be the first to enjoy the World Premiere screening of this romantic comedy where the best man at a commitment ceremony is the reluctant ex-boyfriend.

Gay twin daredevils go to extraordinary measures to get a copy of their screenplay into the hands of Dolly Parton.

Aiden Roberts is asked to be the best man at his ex-boyfriend Max’s commitment ceremony. Despite his friends’ objections, Aiden agrees to do it, only because he doesn’t want to admit that he might still be in love with his ex. Desperate to seem like his sex/relationship life is going great, Aiden realizes that he can’t attend the ceremony alone; he has to bring a boyfriend. But for someone who hasn’t dated in over two years, this could be a problem. With help from his female roommate Janice, he convinces blond, cutie twink Lance to go with him. Their best laid plans unravel as the charade is tested when Max and his hunky boyfriend begin to figure out that the two make for a steange couple. And when sparks begin to fly between Aiden and his ex, all the couplings come into question. You’ll leave laughing from this romantic comedy that explores the different ways that we all decide who we are going to spend our lives with. —Dudley Best Director: Wade McDonald Cast: Chad Ford, Scott Higgins, Tyler Brockington, Blair Dickens, Aleisha Force Screenwriter: Wade McDonald Producers: Wade McDonald, Mehul Shah Cinematographer: Wade McDonald Editor: Collin Williamson Print Source: Pointed Films, Inc.

Twin brothers (John and Gary Lavin, from the TV show ”Fear Factor”), write a script about being gay and having/getting family acceptance. A major character in the script was written with Dolly Parton in mind. After receiving the advice and encouragement from the likes of Chad Allen, Beth Grant, Dustin Lance Black and Leslie Jordan - the twins decide to rent an RV, drive across the country and hopefully hand deliver the unsolicited script to Ms. Parton at her amusement park. On their road trip the twins survive desert heat, wind storms and floods - all while encountering everyday people who relate their gay experiences in the South, and how Dolly Parton has impacted their lives. The brothers also come to terms with the fact that their coming out (via the screenplay), might jeopardize their relations with their parents and family. Hollywood to Dollywood is both a road-trip documentary and an odyssey of self discovery.

—Dudley Best Director: John Lavin Cast: Gary Lane, Larry Lane, Michael Bowen, Chad Allen, Dustin Lance Black, Beth Grant, Leslie Jordan Screenwriters: Michael Bowen, Gary Lane, Larry Lane Producers: Gary Lane, Larry Lane Cinematographer: Jennifer D’Urso Editor: John Lavin Print Source: Gary Lane

John Lavin’s Filmography: The House of Adam (2008)

Hold Your Peace is Wade McDonald’s debut.

more information online • www.qfest.com

60

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

homo@lv

House of Boys

Sunday, July 17 • 12:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

Sunday, July 10 • 2:30 • Ritz East 1 Wednesday, July 13 • 9:15 • Ritz East 1

North American Premiere Latvia 2010, 70 min

This accomplished and startling documentary recounts the various efforts of Latvian gays and lesbians to organize a pride march in a country where many virulently oppose them.

Philadelphia Premiere Luxemburg, Germany 2009, 113 min

homo@lv is a documentary on LGBT rights for festival-goers who don’t watch gay rights documentaries! As LGBT pride and rights organizations flourish in much of Europe, this eye-opening and entertaining documentary reveals that that is definitely not the case in the former Soviet-bloc country of Latvia. Filmmaker Kaspars Goba spent five years following the often violent reaction to the planning of gay pride events. It began with two wellmeaning young gay men in the capital city of Riga who planned to organize the first LGBT rights march in the country. But even the announcement of the event is met with threats, violence, and legal battles. How do these two men react to the vitriolic atmosphere? They cancel the parade. With the organization now in disarray, it takes a grass roots effort by a diverse group of gays and lesbians to pick up the fight. They not only face the same opposition but get criticism from the original organizers, who become unlikely villains. Will the parade happen? And if it does, will there be violence?

This is a riveting, well-told account of one country’s internal battle for LGBT rights, and a film that forces one to realize how far our community still has to go. (Latvian with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray

The year is 1984 and 18-year-old student, Frank (Layken Anderson), taunted after coming out in his little town, decides to move to Amsterdam. Young and handsome but penniless, he soon finds himself on the doorstep of The House of Boys, a caberet/men’s strip club/brothel where he is accepted into the protective arms of Madame (Udo Kier), the drag-performing owner. Finally within his new family, Frank soon samples what the city has to offer; booze, drugs, and most of all, sex. His bacchanalian ways are soon curtailed when he discovers he may have a new disease - AIDS. But out of calamity comes hope when Frank finally thinks he has fallen in love. Made in English, this European production features a vivid assortment of characters; from the eager call boys to the drag performers to the sleazy customers. House of Boys is a sweeping coming-of-age tale of sex, innocence lost, illness and love. (English, French and German with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray

A colorful, sweeping - even epic - story of an innocent suburban boy who succumbs to the temptations of Amsterdam and gay life.

Director: Kaspars Goba Producer: Leva Ubel Cinematographers: Kaspars Goba, Margeris Eglitis, Inese Aps Editors: Gatis Belogrudovs, Visvaldis Zarakovski Print Source: Elm Media

Director: Jean-Claude Schlim Cast: Layke Anderson, Benn Northover, Eleanor David, Steven Webb, Luke Wilkins, Udo Kier, Stephen Fry Screenwriters: Robert David Graham, Jean-Claude Schlim, Christian Thiry Producers: Bob Bellion, Jimmy de Brabant Cinematographers: Jean-Louis Schuller, Carlo Thiel Editor: Katharina Schmidt Print Source: Moonstone Entertainment

homo@lv is Kaspars Goba’s debut.

House of Boys is Jean-Claude Schlim’s debut.

Program includes the short:

Baby Cake

(Australia, 2010, 6 min, Pearl Tan) In this delightfully funny silent short from Australia, a gay couple and a lesbian couple come together for a very important task: to make a baby … the old-fashioned way.

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

I Am

Kink Crusaders

Saturday, July 9 • 12:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

Thursday, July 14 • 9:30 • Ritz East 2 Sunday, July 17 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

Philadelphia Premiere India, USA 2011, 71 min

An Indian filmmaker makes a beautiful and powerful journey as she comes to terms with her family roots, while capturing the inspiring movement of the LGBT community in New Dehli.

I Am is not your typical coming out story; rather it’s an impressive documentary that juxtaposes filmmaker Sonali Gulati’s personal experience with the current crusaders fighting oppression of LGBT people in India. This soft-spoken filmmaker has been haunted for the past 11 years: she did not tell her mother that she is a lesbian before her mother died, so she packed up her camera and headed back to her homeland to come to terms with it. Along the way she meets many gays, lesbians and transpeople of various ages who are fighting against outdated traditions and current laws regarding homosexuality. Many are on the front lines, like the outspoken butch lesbian Lesley, who leads many protests throughout New Dehli. Then there is Balli, a transman who was imprisoned for marrying his girlfriend. Demure Manvendra is the son of a royal family who chose to come out publicly in the newspapers. All of these stories are sincere, profound and important; and Guilati skillfully weaves them into the beautiful tapestry titled I Am. (English and Hindi with English subtitles) —Kelly Burkhardt Director: Sonali Gulati Producer: Sonali Gulati Editor: Anupama Chandra Print Source: Sonali Films

I Am is Sonali Gulati’s debut.

Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 74 min

This honest, insightful, and straightforward documentary about the International Mr. Leather contest held in Chicago each Memorial Day Weekend provides an intimate glimpse into the leather subculture.

Who hasn’t heard of and wasn’t curious about the legendary International Mr. Leather, (IML) Contest that has become a celebrated event among the nation’s (and the world’s) leather community? Following the annual event over the past few years, this documentary provides rare interviews with its former contestants, winners, supporters and spectators .. The title of the film is more tonguein-cheek than serious, as one of the main messages of the documentary is that the participants of the IML contest as well as the increasingly diverse leather folk in general are as normal as anyone else. They’re plumbers and insurance brokers, and their commonality lies in their fascination with and commitment to the leather community, the subculture, the lifestyle, and not just the fetish.

—Thom Cardwell Director: Micheal Skiff Producer: Micheal Skiff Cinematographer: Micheal Skiff Editor: Dorjan Williams Print Source: Third Rail Media

Kink Crusaders is Micheal Skiff’s debut.

Program includes the short:

Program includes the short:

Masala Mama

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Winner Takes All

(Singapore, 2010, 9 min, Michael Kam) An endearing, fantastical film from Singapore, Masala Mama shows the bond that grows between a gay convenience store clerk and a talented young boy with a passion for creating his own comic books. Lacking any support from his emotionally abusive father, the boy finds the encouragement he needs from his new older friend. (Hokkien with English subtitles)

(USA, 2011, 17 min, Camille Carida) A self-involved but seductive young beauty engineers a fight between his two lovers – and we mean really fight. The winner will earn the love and respect of his beloved boy toy. Alec Mapa gives a touching supporting performance in this bloody combination of action, comedy and drama.

more information online • www.qfest.com

62

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Leave It on the Floor

Looking for Simon

Friday, July 8 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse Sunday, July 10 • 2:30 • Ritz East 2

Auf der Suche Thursday, July 14 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 17 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 101 min

When a black gay youth is thrown out of his home, he discovers the Los Angles ball scene in this edgy drama.

Brad is constantly hassled by his evil, bitter mother. Once she throws him out of the house, he is forced to fend for himself on the streets of L.A. Even though Brad is definitely not naive, he has never been to or heard of the “Ball life.” Once he stumbles onto the scene, he quickly associates himself with the struggling House of Eminence. At first, Brad is only looking for a place to shower and sleep (maybe even with someone). But he ends up engaging with the ragtag house members including Queen Latina, an aging Ball legend and mother of the house. Through all the laughter, drama, sex vixens and queens in 5 inch stilettos, Brad ends up finding a home and a loving, caring family. Featuring music by Kim Burse (Beyonce’s music director), choreography by Frank Gastson, Jr. (Beyonce’s dance master), Leave It On The Floor is a queer Alice in Wonderland meets Paris is Burning. —Dudley Best Director: Sheldon Larry Cast: Ephraim Sykes, Andre Myers, Phillip Evelyn, Barbie-Q, Cameron Koa, James Alsop, Metra Dee, Demarkes Dogan Screenwriter: Glenn Gaylord Producers: Gabriel Blanco, Glenn Gaylord, Sheldon Larry Cinematographer: Tom Camarda Editor: Charles Bornstein Print Source: Film Collaborative

Leave it on the Floor is Shledon Larry’s cinematic debut, though he has directed many TV shows and TV movies for 40 years.

East Coast Premiere Germany 2011, 89 min

A German mother and her gay son’s former lover travel to the south of France in search of her missing son.

Jan Krüger (Light Gradient) directs this fascinating character study and moving road drama about a middle-aged German woman and her missing son’s former lover — an unlikely couple, bound together in their search for a shared loved one. After not hearing from her son, Simon, a distraught Valerie elicits the reluctant help of Simon’s former lover Jens. The two travel to Marseille on the French Riviera, the last place Simon, a medical doctor, lived. High-strung and fearing the worse, Valerie has barely accepted her son’s gayness and having his former boyfriend around only adds to her stress. Jens has his own mixed feelings for his ex. He takes excursions in search of nightly casual sexwhere he encounters an Arab boy who recently had an affair with Simon. With Simon’s apartment empty, his car abandoned, and him on leave from the hospital, only questions are left: Did he leave for North Africa? Was he abducted or killed? Or did he just want to disappear? Folowing leads that go nowhere, the search becomes both more about Simon’s life as well as a developing parental kinship between Valerie and Jens. This involving story which ultimately poses more questions than answers.

(English, German and French with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Jan Krüger Cast: Corinna Harfouch, Nico Rogner, Trystan Pütter, Valérie Leroy, Mehdi Dehbi, Mireille Perrier, Géraldine Loup, Dominique Ratonnat, Manuel Diaz Screenwriter: Jan Krüger Producers: Antonin Dedet, Andrea Hanke, Florian Koerner von Gustorf, Michael Weber Cinematographer: Bernadette Paassen Editor: Natali Barrey Print Source: Schramm Film Koerner & Weber

Jan Krüger’s Filmography: Rückenwind (Light Gradient) (2009); Unterwegs (En Route) (2004)

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

63

The Love Patient

Married in Spandex

Saturday, July 9 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 10 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1

Saturday, July 16 • 5:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

World Premiere USA 2011, 95 min

In this offbeat doc, we follow two West Philadelphians who travel to Iowa to fulfill their dreams and add some fire to the same sex-marriage debate raging in Pennsylvania.

World Premiere USA 2011, 56 min

A hunky but self-centered ad executive pretends he has life-threatening cancer in order to win back the love of his ex in this wild American indie comedy.

QFest is thrilled to host the world premiere of the often hilarious, raucous tale of what one man would do to gain back his ex. Paul (Benjamin Lutz, Love Bites) is a cocky, fast-talking, hard-living, self-centered hunk and ad executive who thinks he may have lost a good thing when sensitive hunk Brad (John Werskey, also in Love Bites) drops him and begins dating another man. Not used to losing and determined to regain his love, Paul, in Lucy-inspired “great idea,” announces to all that he has cancer, a sad situation which is sure to have Brad running back to him. But the plan he concocted spirals out-of-control when Paul’s family spring into action by moving into his apartment and making it a near-hospice.

With distraught parents and a skeptical sister hovering around, any chance of reigniting the romance with his ex becomes remote. A plan B is needed! Populated by outrageous characters, this is a fun, entertaining, wacky romantic comedy of what one man would do for love, brought to us by director Michael Simon (Gay Zombie). —Raymond Murray Director: Michael Simon Cast: Benjamin Lutz, John Werskey, Jackson Palmer, Madison Gray, Laura Ulsh, John Kilpatrick, Mike Pfaff Screenwriter: Michael Simon Producer: Maria Montgomery Cinematographer: Chris S. Walters Editor: Bob Poirier Print Source: Passion Fruit Productions

The Love Patient is Michael Simon’s debut.

Amanda Kole and Rachel Turanski (two twenty-something lesbians), U-Hauled at five months and now want to take the extra step and officially tie the knot.

With reams of tulle and a gold wedding jump-suit (commissioned from the Philly King of Spandex) packed, the brides and their Chihuahua are soon on a road-trip to the heartland of America - Ames, Iowa - (the only State in the central U.S. that recognizes same-sex marriage) to exchange wedding vows and rings, officiated by gold lamé devotee and lady rapper Leslie Hall. Tender interviews with Amanda’s parents show how far they have come embracing their daughter’s sexuality, but is the same-sex wedding too much of a step for the brides families? At a time when every same-sex wedding is seen as a political act can a lesbian wedding be all glitter and gold lamé? You will have to judge for yourself as we unveil, on its home-turf, the World Premiere of Married in Spandex. —Carol Coombes Co-Directors: Devin Gallagher, Allison Kole Cast: Amanda Kole, Rachel Turanski Screenwriter: Allison Kole Producer: Allison Kole Editor: Melissa Thompson Print Source: Allison Kole

Married in Spandex is Devin Gallagher’s debut.

Program includes the short:

Time Spent

(USA, 2010, 11 min, Puppet) Philadelphia filmmaker Puppet helms this short, local drama starring QFest veteran Heather Coutts (2009’s Tremble & Spark as George, a young woman who comes home from work to find her best friend, Bill, has attempted suicide. After trying to move past this traumatic experience and regain their friendship, George begins to realize that Bill’s unrequited affection may be harmful to her health.

more information online • www.qfest.com

64

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

My Last Round

My Mama Said Yo Mama’s A Dyke

Mi Último Round

Monday, July 11 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse Tuesday, July 12 • 5:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

Wednesday, July 13 • 7:15 • Ritz East 2 Saturday, July 16 • 12:00 • Ritz East 2

World Premiere USA 2010, 80 min

Philadelphia Premiere Argentina, Chile 2010, 90 min

When a middle-aged boxer with epilepsy and a younger man fall in love in rural Chile, they feel the need to escape to the big city, but will that be their answer? An intense drama set far from the gay capitals of the world.

A diet with too much sugary American rom-coms is not healthy for any gay filmgoer. So add diversity with this searing non-stereotypical Chilean love story.

Set in a small southern village in Chile, two men are the focus of the drama: a young sad-eyed Hugo, directionless after just burying his mother and the gruff, middle-aged Octavio, a barber and amateur boxer, who fights despite being epileptic. The two, after long harboring attraction for each other, break taboos and become lovers. When Octavio is forced to retire from boxing, the two decide to head to Santiago for a better life. But when Hugo becomes uncomfortably close with a female co-worker and Octavio becomes frustrated by not boxing, something has to give. A truly unusual, moving and tender story about two very different working class men determined to love despite the obstacles. (Spanish with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Julio Jorquera Cast: Roberto Farías, Héctor Morales, Manuela Martelli, Tamara Acosta, Gonzalo Robles Screenwriter: Julio Jorquera Producer: Francisco Rojas Cinematographers: Julio Jorquera, Danielle Fillios Editor: Sergio Armstrong Print Source: M-Appeal

Get ready for a gut-busting good time in this hilarious mockumentary about a group of urban teenagers who can’t deal with their lesbian moms anymore and so enroll them in a special type of boot camp dedicated to removing their lesbian tendencies.

When director Coquie Hughes started out making My Mama Said Yo Mama’s a Dyke, she initially intended it to be a documentary about African-American bisexual and lesbian mothers and their children. Since funding was limited, she turned it into one of one hell of a feature truly capturing the funny and serious scenarios that LGBT families can endure in urban communities. First there’s Wade who is so incredibly shy his mother tells girls he’s interested in that she is gay, not her son. Marco is cool and confident, but her mom continually follows this lesbian stud around mimicking her style and strut. Then there is poor Chuck whose mother is now dating his ex-girlfriend. Fed up with their situation, these kids find the perfect solution… Camp Dyke-No-More! Hughes does a fantastic job using humor to convey the overall message that families need to take a step back and listen to each other and thus making My Mama Said Yo Mama’s a Dyke an immensely entertaining comedy. —Kelly Burkhardt Director: Coquie Hughes Cast: Izerrick Aighbokhan, Marisa Baldwin-Woodhouse, Jalen Beal, Jamie Black, Chris Chapman, Kim Cooper, Emerald V. Dukes, Delicia Dunham Screenwriter: Coquie Hughes Producer: Coquie Hughes Cinematographer: Coquie Hughes Editor: Coquie Hughes Print Source: Cocoquie Hughes

My Last Round is Julio Jorquera’s debut.

My Mama Said Yo Mama’s A Dyke is Coquie Hughes’ debut.

Program includes the short:

Program includes the short:

Punch Me

(USA, 2011, 14 min, Robert X. Golphin) With a romance on the rocks and a father on his sick bed, a young man must accept his true identity before he loses the two people he loves most. Local filmmaker Robert X. Golphin writes, directs and stars in this arresting dramatic short.

Nefertitty

(USA, 2011, 15 min, Lola Rocknrolla) With her Afroed ’70s fashion and don’tfuck-with-me swagger, Nefertitty is quite a sight. When her boozing pop is bothered by a gang of albinos, our supersleuth goes into ass-kickin’ action!

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

65

The Night Watch

The One

Friday, July 8 • 7:30 • Ritz East 1 Saturday, July 9 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2

Sunday, July 10 • 12:15 • Ritz East 2 Monday, July 11 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1

Philadelphia Premiere UK 2011, 90 min

USA 2011, 90 min

Love and tragic loss in an exceptional time are richly brought to life in The Night Watch, the fourth book-to-screen BBC adaptation from lauded novelist and QFest favorite Sarah Waters (Tipping the Velvet, Fingersmith, Affinity).

A breezy charming romantic comedy about an engaged man, his lovely fiancée and the roguishly charming man he falls in love with. Love is never simple!

Directed by Richard Laxton, this suspenseful story of four young Londoners— Kay, Helen, Viv, and Duncan— commences in 1947 post-war Britain, and moves back in time to 1944 and 1941, during the height of World War II to weave a web of deliciously complex tales that inextricably link a group of people living on society’s fringes. We see a lesbian ambulance driver, who gave unselfishly to strangers;the jealous lover who betrayed someone to be with the person whose absences she now suspects;the ongoing relationship between a woman and the man who abandoned her as she fought for her life; and a gay “conscientious objector” who spent the war in jail, lusting for a man he couldn’t have. This is a world filled with searchlights, fires, stolen kisses illicit affairs and passionate same-sex trysts in the shadows of an apocalyptic landscape of rubble and ash. Meticulously researched, unnervingly authentic, and a visual treat, The Night Watch will stay with you long after it ends. —Carol Coombes Director: Richard Laxton Cast: Anna Maxwell Martin, Claire Foy, Jodie Whittaker Screenwriter: Paula Milne (based on the novel by Sarah Waters) Producer: Ann Tricklebank Cinematographer: David Katznelson Editor: Philip Kloss Print Source: BBC Active

Richard Laxton’s Filmography: An Englishman in New York (2009); Hancock & Joan (2008); Free Agents (2007); Grow Your Own (2007); Life and Lyrics (2006); Poldark (1996)

Sponsored by:

This romantic comedy takes the conventions of the genre and gives it a stylishly queer twist – think Philadelphia Story meets Latter Days, or better yet, a comedic updating of the 1992 groundbreaking Making Love. Hunky Daniel couldn’t have it better – great parents, a successful career as an investment banker and the beautiful Jen as his fiancée. A seemingly perfect life… but there is one temptation that may derail his best laid plans for a straight-and-narrow life: he has a thing for Tommy, the charming former college classmate who is now openly gay. After a few drinks, Daniel succumbs to his repressed desires and makes a one time “mistake.” Soon after their initial tryst, the normally jaded Tommy falls head over heels in love, but Daniel wants nothing more of him or his dazzlingly seductive smile – he’s back with Jen, determined to marry her. With Tommy’s friends warning him against his involvement with a straight man and Daniel’s pledge of heterosexually, it would seem that nothing will come of them… but love and lust have a way of messing up even the best laid plans of man. A refreshingly funny story of coming out as well as a belated coming-of-age tale that sparkles with witty dialogue and believable characters. —Raymond Murray Director: Caytha Jentis Cast: Jon Prescott, Ian Novick, Margaret Anne Florence, David Albiero, Collin Biddle, Michael Billy, Christopher Cass, Aimee Denaro, Mike DiGiacinto, Michael Emery, Pierce Forsythe, Lauren Francesca, Rosie Gunther, Kelly Coffield Park, Natalya Rudakova Screenwriter: Caytha Jentis Producers: Michael Billy, Aimee Denaro, Caytha Jentis Cinematographer: Ben Wolf Editor: Verne Mattson Print Source: TLA Releasing

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

66

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Over the Edge

The Perfect Family

Friday, July 8 • 5:15 • Ritz at the Bourse Monday, July 11 • 9:15 • Ritz East 2

Saturday, July 9 • 7:30 • Ritz East 1

U.S. Premiere UK 2010, 73 min

Kathleen Turner and Richard Chamberlain star as the suburban mother of a dysfunctional family in this hilarious and poignant comedy.

Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 84 min

A weird absurdist murder-mystery/comedy/gay romance about a young man, his friend and lot of corpses. Joe Orton would be pleased.

Tired of the same old gay indie? Are you a Joe Orton (Entertaining Mr. Sloane, What the Butler Saw, Loot) fan? Looking for an unusual, weird, demanding, off-kilter, funny and unpredictable film filled with gay characters, witty asides, a bungling policeman, a hysterical old lady neighbor and a bevy of corpses? Well, this is your kind of film. Jason is in a crisis. He won’t go to work and stays holed up in his flat. But when his TV breaks, he is forced to call co-worker Richard to fix it. All is normal, except when Jason mentions that a friend of his may be dead in his bed. Instead of hightailing it out of the potential murder scene, Richard (who has the hots for Jason) instead not only checks the body (yes, dead) but also proposes a homemade autopsy. And when the scalpel cuts the flesh, these two young men are now in it together. But it is not just one body, a serial killer is roaming London’s streets, but the bodies seem to all end up in Jason’s flat. Will Jason’s claims of innocence calm the police? And will all these bodies affect the budding romance between the two men? A pitch black absurdist comedy that will delight those with a strange sense of humor. —Raymond Murray Director: Webster Forrest Cast: Danny Bedford, Sean Hart, Phillip Davey, Fenella Fielding Screenwriter: Webster Forrest Print Source: TLA Releasing

Over the Edge is Webster Forrest’s debut.

Director: Anne Renton Cast: Kathleen Turner, Emily Deschanel, Jason Ritter, Richard Chamberlain, Elizabeth Peña, Sharon Lawrence Screenwriters: Claire V. Riley, Paula Goldberg Producers: Jennifer Dubin, Cora Olson Cinematographer: Andre Lascaris Editor: Christopher Kroll Print Source: Present Pictures

The Perfect Family is Anne Renton’s debut.

Program includes the short:

Two Beds

Program includes the short:

Winner Takes All

Eileen Cleary (Turner) devotes much of her time towards cheerful and pious volunteer work for the local Catholic parish. These efforts are noticed by the monsignor (Chamberlain) who nominates her for Catholic Woman of the Year.

While Eileen clearly covets the honor, the hurdle she faces is an interview introducing her “perfect family” to the bishop That family includes her gay daughter, Shannon (Emily Deschanel), about to marry her life partner (Angelique Cabral); her adulterous son, Frank Jr. (Jason Ritter); and her recovering alcoholic husband, Frank Sr. (Michael McGrady). Laughter ensues as Eileen contorts herself to get through the interview while trying to keep her non-conformist family under wraps. In her best screen performance since Serial Mom, Turner shines as a mother trying to reconcile her view of her faith with her love for her family.

That “normal” is only a setting on the dryer is a lesson that comes through to Eileen in this sincere and very funny comedy. —Michael Miller

(USA, 2011, 17 min, Camille Carida) A self-involved but seductive young beauty engineers a fight between his two lovers – and we mean a real fight. The winner will earn the love and respect of his beloved boy toy. Alec Mapa gives a touching supporting performance in this bloody combination of action, comedy and drama.

(USA, 2010, 8 min, Kanako Wynkoop) Writer/director Kanako Wynkoop stars as two different women in this humorously argumentative short about a couple engaged in the age old battle between hetero-normative monogamy and polyamorous adventure.

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

67

Private Romeo

Romeos

Saturday, July 9 • 3:00 • Ritz at the Bourse Monday, July 11 • 7:15 • Ritz East 1

Saturday, July 16 • 7:30 • Ritz at the Bourse Sunday, July 17 • 12:00 • Ritz East 2

East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 98 min

Philadelphia Premiere Germany 2011, 94 min

One of the more original features in this year’s festival: a gay take on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” set in a boys’ military academy.

Gay men and a trans audience will fall for this sexy drama about a handsome FTM 19-year-old and the masculine gay man who falls for in this German romantic and social drama.

The greatest romantic story ever told is given a dramatically sexy, gay twist when eight high school cadets are left to their own volition on the isolated campus of a military school.

Their classroom study of “Romeo and Juliet” spills out into their dormitories and lives, causing the distractingly handsome youths to erupt into wild passion with more boy-on-boy kissing than the Bard ever imagined. The film, not the first gay interpretation of a Shakespeare play, breathes a peculiarly smart, homoerotic edge to everything from the love dynamic to the family feuding with gusto, mystery and tenderness. The rivalry and physicality of the boys’ interpretation of the poetic lines lends freshness to both the words and actions, resonating beyond the viewer’s momentary experience. Incorporating YouTube videos and lip-synched indie rock music, the clever, intelligent retelling of the star-crossed lovers takes on an entirely new, exciting and contemporary meaning with grace and style. Screenwriter/director Alan Brown has created his own endearingly original classic in its own category.

—Thom Cardwell Director: Alan Brown Cast: Hale Appleman, Matt Doyle, Seth Numrich, Charlie Barnett, Bobby Moreno, Chris Bresky, Adam Barrie, Sean Hudock Screenwriter: Alan Brown (Based on the play by William Shakespeare) Producers: Agathe David-Weill, Kevin Ginty Cinematographer: Derek McKane Editor: Craig Weiseman Print Source: Paladin

A twist on trans stories – a 19-year-old pre-op FTM falls for an openly gay man in Romeos, a tautly told and sexily romantic drama. Lukas is a handsome young man but was born a woman, is on hormone replacement therapy, and still has breasts that he keeps bound and hidden. His new male life is complicated when he is frustratingly assigned to a female dorm while doing community service.

Stressed by the unfamiliar surroundings and insecure with his new body, Lukas is aided his lesbian friend, Ine, who keeps his secret when he reenters the world as a man. Lured by Ine and his new friends, Lukas ventures into Cologne’s gay nightlife where he meets Fabio, a cocky, dark haired gay hunk who beds whom he pleases. The two opposites strike up a friendship, but when Fabio begins to make romantic moves, Lukas is forced into making a decision: end contact or tell him and face the consequences. Lukas’s courage to live his life as he desires makes this a great film for trans audiences but it is also is a revelatory one for gay men. It is in essence a sexy, entertaining, if unconventional, story of two young men who fall in love. (English and German with English subtitles) — Raymond Murray Director: Sabine Bernardi Cast: Rick Okon, Maximilian Befort, Liv Lisa Fries, Felix Brocke, Silke Geertz, Gilles Tschudi, Sigrid Burkholder, Johannes Schwab Screenwriter: Sabine Bernardi Producers: Janna Velber, Kristina Loebbert Cinematographer: Moritz Schultheiss Editor: Renata Salazar Ivancan Print Source: Strand Releasing

Romeos is Sabine Bernardi’s debut.

Alan Brown’s Filmography: Superheroes (2007); Book of Love (2004)

more information online • www.qfest.com

68

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

The Sleeping Beauty of East Finchley

So Hard to Forget

Sunday, July 10 • 12:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

Sunday, July 10 • 2:30 • Ritz at the Bourse Thursday, July 14 • 5:00 • Ritz at the Bourse

Como esquecer

Philadelphia Premiere UK 2010, 50 min

A woman is trapped in a mundane life. Through a chance opportunity, she begins to have a purpose, but only if she accepts certain things about herself.

This British featurette is a beautifully shot and tender drama which ambitiously tells its story with openly emotional acting and music. Joan is a woman trapped in a dreary routine, her life is passing her by as she is stuck in a dull job and needs to take care of her elderly mother at home. Joan only finds joy when listening and secretly singing to music. She has an amazing singing voice that no one—not even her mother—has heard. When Pat, a visiting nurse who cares for Joan’s mother, hears Joan singing along to her CD, he tries to persuade her to join a choir called “Friends of Dusty.” Through this chance opportunity, Joan begins to have a purpose in life - but only if she owns up to other things and feelings about herself. —Dudley Best Director: Séamus Rea Cast: Christopher Dunne, Julian Eardley, Ruth James, Jill Keen, Angela Kenny, Susan Raasay, Donato Russo, Josie Walker Screenwriter: Séamus Rea Producers: Andrew Odgers, Janet Potter Cinematographer: Ewan Mulligan Editors: Andrew Odgers, Janet Potter Print Source: Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (CFMDC)

The Sleeping Beauty of East Finchley is Séamus Rea’s debut.

Program includes the shorts:

The Kiss

(Australia, 2010, 16 min, Ashlee Page) Returning home through the scrub after a night out, two teenage girls seek respite from the stifling heat. Fuelled by cheap alcohol and teenage hormones, they make their way to an isolated firewater tank, lured by the promise of cool water. Once inside the tank, the intimate mood takes a dangerous turn when they discover that they are trapped.

Philadelphia Premiere Brazil 2010, 100 min

For anybody who has ever loved, faced heartbreak and learned to be happy again, this drama is an honest portrayal of a woman, consumed with grief, taking baby steps to regain her equilibrium.

The trauma of recovering from the break-up of an intense relationship unfolds in this intense, sensitive but far from maudlin Brazilian drama. Julia is a hauntingly beautiful 35-year-old literature teacher (with the sultry looks of a Romy Schneider) who is completely overcome by sadness and saddled with listlessness after (the unseen) breakup of her longtime lover, Antonia. She falls into a painful depression with the slightest sight or sound triggering painful memories.

Unable to recover on her own, Julia’s freind Hugo, who himself is getting over grieving for the death of his life-partner, has determined it’s time for both to move on. He’s brought a three bedroomed house, close to the sea, and he’s planned for Júlia and his friend Lisa - another soul fresh from a break-up - to move in. As winds of change blow through the house and its new inhabitants, the trio create an emotional support system for each other. When Lisa’s cousin, Helena, (an artist and chef extraordinaire) shows up unannounced, Júlia allows some light to re-enter her soul. The odd and powerful aspect of this story is that while we witness the unblinking emotional trauma of a woman, equal attention is paid to her friends and their efforts to save her from her self-destructive dispair. An emotional and heartwarming story of loss and recovery. (Portuguese with English subtitles) —Carol Coombes Director: Malu de Martino Cast: Ana Paula Arosio, Murilo Rosa, Arieta Corrêa, Natália Lage, Bianca Comparato Screenwriter: José Carvalho Producer: Elisa Tolomelli Cinematographer: Heloisa Passos Editor: Pedro Rossi Print Source: M-Appeal

Malu de Martino’s Filmography: Mulheres do Brasil (2006)

The Queer Umbrella

(UK, 2010, 3 min, Rosa Middleton) Look up the word queer in the dictionary and you’ll find many different definitions. In this lovely, reflective, animated short from the UK, director Rosa Middleton and narrator Becky Goldsmith attempt to redefine the term and clear up any potential misunderstanding.

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

69

This Is What Love in Action Looks Like

Three

Saturday, July 9 • 5:15 • Ritz at the Bourse Wednesday, July 13 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2

Friday, July 8 • 5:00 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 10 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse

East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 75 min

Philadelphia Premiere Germany 2010, 119 min

A gay youth is sent to a Christian-backed gay conversion camp by his parents which ignites protests against the organization. An important and emotional documentary on the on-going religious intolerance against homosexuality.

Two vaguely unhappy spouses begin torrid affairs with the same man in this thought-provoking drama from Tom (Run Lola Run) Twyker.

Drei

A stirring documentary about gay teens who are sent to a Christian fundamentalist conversion camp by their parents and the young people who eventually fought against it. When 16-year-old Zach told his parents that he was gay, they panicked, believed that something was psychologically wrong with him and then sent him to Love In Action, a relious organization that promises to “cure” homosexuality. Founded in 1973, Love in Action is the oldest and largest ex-gay organization in the US and takes the position that homosexuality is strictly behavioral and can be cured. Originally for adults, they had recently begun a program for teens, many sent involuntarily. Their draconian methods for sexual redemption” prompted filmmaker Jon Morgan Fox to both become active in the ensuing protest against the group as well as documents it all through interviews with several youths who had been in the program, the then current director of Love in Action (himself, a “former gay”) and the many young protesters who were compelled to mobilize against the organization. An important look at gay youth, intolerance and skewed religious beliefs. —Raymond Murray Director: Morgan Jon Fox Producer: Peterson Toscano Cinematographer: Morgan Jon Fox Editors: Brad Phelan, Andy Bond Print Source: TLA Releasing

Morgan Jon Fox’s Filmography: Omg/HaHaHa (2007); Away (A)wake (2005); Blue Citrus Hearts (2003)

From Tom Twyker, director of Run Lola Run and The International comes this captivating and realistic drama about an unhappy married couple and the man they both fall in love with. Forty-something Berlin doctor Hanna and engineer Adam have been married for twenty years but have seen their life together separate and their sex lives far from satisfying. With the tension of this unacknowledged problem in the background, Hanna meets Simon and the two, after a rocky beginning, begin a secret romance. While Adam, finds a needed spark with hot locker room sex with a man, who turns out to be Simon. He then begins a torrid affair with him as well. The inevitable discovery of them both cheating forces the couple to confront deceit, bisexuality and the thought of both sharing one man. A stylish, intelligent and unpredictable look at a modern love triangle from one of Germany’s best filmmakers. (German with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Tom Tykwer Cast: Sophie Rois, Sebastian Schipper, Devid Striesow, Annedore Kleist, Angela Winkler, Alexander Hörbe, Winnie Böwe, Hans-Uwe Bauer Screenwriter: Tom Tykwer Producer: Stefan Arndt Cinematographer: Frank Griebe Editor: Mathilde Bonnefoy Print Source: Strand Releasing

Tom Tykwer’s Filmography: [Selected] Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006); Heaven (2002); The Princess and the Warrior 2000); Run Lola Run (1998)

Program includes the short:

Shave

(USA, 2010, 6 min, Nancy Kissam) Before he can face his wife and openly confess his desire to become a woman, a straight family man checks into the Ace Hotel in New York City to do one very important thing: shave everything.

Sponsored by:

more information online • www.qfest.com

70

PHILADELPHIA QFEST 2011

Tomboy

Unhappy Birthday

Wednesday, July 13 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse Saturday, July 16 • 2:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

Thursday, July 14 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse Friday, July 15 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2

East Coast Premiere France 2010, 84 min

Philadelphia Premiere UK 2011, 89 min

A tomboy passes herself off as a boy to her friends in a new neighborhood in this Truffaut-esque drama.

Three Londoners travel to an isolated island in the north of England for a surprise family reunion, but they get much more than they expected in this sexy but creepy and unsettling thriller.

Gender identity is explored in Céline (Water Lilies) Sciamma‘s humorous, heartfelt story of a girl who just wants to be a boy. Ten-year-old Laure and her family move into a Parisian suburban apartment during the summer holiday.

Laure, a tomboy who cuts her hair short and wears boys clothing (not of concern to her parents) explores the neighborhood and quickly meets Lisa but introduces herself as Michael. Soon Michael meets up with other kids and becomes part of the circle of friends – playing soccer shirtless, running though the forest or swimming in a lake (where a well played piece of modeling clay help in her ruse.) The innocence of her being a boy takes a more mature turn when Lisa falls in puppy love with her… and Michael responds. A tender, captivating story made all the more amazing by the naturalistic and totally believable performance of Zoe Heran as Michael/Laure. And amazing as she is, Malonn Levana as her six-year-old sister Jeanne nearly steals the show from her! A film for all audiences and one of the best films in the festival. (French with English subtitles) —Raymond Murray Director: Céline Sciamma Cast: Zoé Héran, Malonn Lévana, Jeanne Disson, Sophie Cattani, Mathieu Demy Screenwriter: Céline Sciamma Producer: Bénédicte Couvreur Cinematographer: Crystel Fournier Editor: Julien Lacheray Print Source: Rocket Releasing

All is not what it seems when a simple trip to reunite a long-lost family member turns darkly violent in this taut, sexy, beautifully photographed British thriller.

Rick, Jonny and Sadie venture from London to the town of Amen—an isolated community wary of strangers. The threesome’s relationship is a bit complicated – handsome Rick and the nervous Jonny are secret lovers, while Rick plays boyfriend to Sadie, who knows the score. Rick wants to surprise Sadie on her birthday be reuniting her with her sister, Corinne, someone she has not seen since the death of their mother when they were children. But ominous warnings that all is not right abound – there are the creepy, weird hand-waving townsfolk; the too-welcoming sister; the pub and its hooded drinkers… and that photo of a mysterious man that seems to be on every wall. Mixing elements of Christianity, sexual freedom, morality, in-breeding, and madness—the result is a thriller of the most ominous kind! And one inspired by such British horror films like The Wicker Man, Hammer films and David Mackenzie’s The Last Great Wilderness.

—Raymond Murray Directors: Mark Harriott, Mike Matthews Cast: David Paisley, Christina De Vallee, Jill Riddiford, Jonathan Keane and David McGillivray Screenwriters: Mark Harriott, Mike Matthews Producers: Nic Speranza, Mark Harriott, Mike Matthews Cinematographer: Mark Hammond Editor: Tony Graynoth Print Source: Mike Matthews

Unhappy Birthday is Mark Harriott and Mike Matthews’s debut.

Céline Sciamma’s Filmography: Water Lilies (2007) Program includes the short:

Loop Planes

(USA, 2010, 11 min, Robin Wilby) Thirteen-year-old tomboy Nick is used to wild rides: she lives at an amusement park with her repairman father. But today, with the arrival an intriguing pink-haired girl, Nick finds herself on an emotional ride of a kind which she is not too familiar.

more information online • www.qfest.com

BEST OF US & WORLD CINEMA

71

What’s the Name of the Dame?

Wish Me Away

Saturday, July 16 • 9:15 • Ritz East 2 Sunday, July 17 • 2:15 • Ritz East 2

Saturday, July 9 • 2:45 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 10 • 7:15 • Ritz East 1

East Coast Premiere USA 2011, 83 min

Philadelphia Premiere USA 2011, 95 min

ABBA meets drag, as two pop culture obsessions come together in this outrageous musical documentary set in NYC.

Whether you are a country music fan or not, Wish Me Away is an endearing, profound and incredibly inspiring documentary about the trials and tribulations of the multi-award winning singer, Chely Wright, the first country music star to ever come out as gay.

The party film of the festival! For ABBA Fans, what’s the next best thing to an actual reunion? Ok, seeing the musical “Mamma Mia!”. But after that… ok, the stage show “ABBAlicious.” But after that? It has to be this wondrous mix of Abba documentary coupled with performances by some of New York’s most outlandish and talented drag performers. Various people talk about ABBA’s music (Frank DeCaro, Christine Baranski, Bruce Vilanch, ABBA member Benny Andersson, Ari Gold, Graham Norton, Joan Rivers) as well as offer us a mini-history of drag. And in between the interviews is a series of hilarious, inventively staged video cover versions of ABBA classics. There is the country western version of “Dancing Queen” sung by Hedda Lettuce, “S.O.S” by Joie Starr, “Knowing Me, Knowing You” by Sade Pendarvis, “The Winner Takes It All” by Cashetta and a rousing ensemble finale of “Mamma Mia.” Great fun!

And remember, there will be several surprise guests before and after the screening as well as an after party. —Raymond Murray Director: Allan Neuwirth Cast: Brooks Braselman (June Bug), Joseph Causey (Joie Starr), Nicolas Ferrer (Sade Pendarvis), Christopher Kenney (Edie), Kevin Lambert (Betzy with a Z), Roger Anthony Mapes (Yolanda), Steven Polito (Hedda Lettuce), Steven Sherman (Connie Cat), Scott Weston (Cashetta), Christine Baranski, Bruce Vilanch, Joan Rivers, Graham Norton, Carson Kressley, Frank DeCaro Producer: Jack Chen Cinematographer: William Hohauser Print Source: Figjam Productions, Inc.

What’s the Name of the Dame? is Allan Neuwirth’s debut.

Program includes the short:

Children of the Dune

(USA, 2010, 18 min, Josh Rosenzweig, Greg Scarnici) The gay fad of adopting babies has become passé: the trendy boys of Fire Island decide they’d rather go to tea-dance than bottle feed, and the unfortunate infants are ditched in the uninhabited dunes nearby. Cared for by Gusty Winds, a local drag queen, the children grow up and take their revenge.

At a very young age, a small town girl from Wellsville, Kansas dreamed big: one day she would perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her course was set and singer/songwriter, Chely Wright diligently worked and prayed hard to become the darling of country music. But in a genre where God, country and freedom reign, this talented artist deeply suppressed being gay. As her hits and accolades wracked up, so did her fear and torment that her fans and her peers would banish her from the industry. What makes this film so special is how open, honest and deeply personal Chely is. Many have questioned their orientation, prayed to God relentlessly or contemplated suicide; but seeing the raw emotion and courage from Wright as she walks us through her risky decision makes Wish Me Away a tremendous movie experience. —Kelly Burkhardt Directors: Bobbie Birleffi, Beverly Kopf Cast: Chely Wright Producers: Bobbie Birleffi, Beverly Kopf Editor: Lisa Palattella Print Source: The Film Sales Company

Wish Me Away is Bobbie Birleffi, Beverly Kopf’s debut.

To Be Announced Monday, July 18 • 5:00 • Ritz at the Bourse Monday, July 18 • 7:15 • Ritz at the Bourse Monday, July 18 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse Monday, July 18 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Monday, July 18 • 9:15 • Ritz East 2 Monday, July 18 • 5:00 • Ritz East 2 We’ve reserved these slots for additional screenings of some of the best-received and best-attended at the festival. We might even throw in a new titles that we get at the last minute. Best to check the website at www.qfest.com for updates.

more information online • www.qfest.com

72

2011 QFEST FESTIVAL STAFF

Artistic Director . . . . . . Raymond Murray Managing Director & Guest Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Coombes Director of Development Thom Cardwell Creative Director . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Moore Director of Production . . . . . Claire Kohler Directors Media Relations . . . . . . Megan Smith, Brownstone P.R. Film Booker . . . . . . Jennifer Arndt-Johns Financial/Accounting Staff . . . . . . . . . . . Jo Borasky, John Chong

Volunteer Events Planner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Rout Ritz Landmark Theatres Lisa Bunnell, Bill Giliotti, Lisa Layton, Shawn Knowles, Joanne Pizzi, Sarah Slack Video Projectionists . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Jordan, Daniel Pizza Technical Supervisor/Senior Video Projectionist . . . . . . . . . David Burgess

Head of Jurors . . . . . . . . . Brian Gannon

Technologies: Dan Maloney, Lora Nase, Brian Jones, Ian Carpenter, Anthony Shull

Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Kamenish

Web Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Smith

Print Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Griffin Affel

Ticketing/Distribution Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer Bendik

Socaial Media Manager . . . . Deni Kasrel Program Cover Design: Brian McManus, Gary Swarer, Program Design and Graphics . . . Robert Dieters, Jack Rabbit Design Program Guide Editors: Jennifer Steinberg, Mark James Wawrzynski Program Guide Sponsorships & Advertising Sales . . Thom Cardwell QFest Feature Film Programmers Kelly Burkhardt, Carol Coombes, Scott Cranin QFest Shorts Programmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert O’Neill Danger After Dark Programmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Travis Crawford QFest Screening Committee Dudley Best, Jayson Bucy, Thom Cardwell, Mario DiMaio, Stephen Gillingham, Robert Moran, Suzi Nash Volunteer Office Assistant: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norval Copeland

Tribute Trailers: . . . . . . . . . Kelly Burkhardt, Ryan Suits

Philadelphia Cinema Alliance Board of Directors Herb Lipton. . . . . . . . . . . . Board President Raymond Murray. . . . . Executive Director John Herzins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer James Houck • Claire Kohler Eric Moore • Thom Cardwell The Philadelphia Cinema Alliance

is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to producing and promoting QFest, one of the largest Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals on the East Coast. This annual festival, now in its 17th year, showcases the best in gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer film from around the world as a way to foster, support and give access to Independent filmmakers and to encourage and nurture younger ones in the art of filmmaking. PCA hosts American and International guests representing all aspects of the industry, hosts educational panels on diversity, financing, screenwriting and distribution. Qfest enriches the lives of the region’s growing LGBT community as well as serves the mainstream community though accessibility of the films and opportunities for exchange, awareness and understanding.

more information online • www.qfest.com

AREpowered POWERED BY VOLUNTEERS WeWE are by volunSpecial Thanks to

Alila Cornelius-Jordan, Brian Jones, Bruce Alburger, Byron Lee, Darren Joyner, Elliott Robertson, Jason Friel, Javier Mojica, Jay Jay Kovacs, Jeff Jenne, Jimmy Wall, Ken Sipos, Lamont Davis, Liam Dacey, Linda Greenawalt, Lisa Poe, Maria Gonzalez, Melissa Puchek, Pearl Carpel, Riff Viana, Rudy Flesher, Salvatore Patrone, Shawn Walsh, Suzanne Rosin, Tom Kenney, Tony Campbell, William Clinton

Guest Services Volunteers

Dave Park, Denise Witkowski, Jay Jay Kovacs, Kerry, Melissa Ford, PJ Walking, Sue Wolko

Venue Volunteers

Ad Merrall, Adrian Plascencia, Alan Robarge, Allan Spulecki, Ashley Thomas, Beth Treisner, Billy James, Blue Crew from Blue Cross, Brooke Boroughs, Bryce Pham, Carolyn Stan, Carrie Mumber, Chiara DiLello, Colin McCullough, Courtney Schisselbauer, Crystal Hawkins, Dan Bove, Dan Stroiman, David Bursky, David Sarrafian, DeAnn Cox, Deb Gowen, Evelyn Ridge, Gary Cotton, Gary Durfee, George Yenovkian, Greg Ludwig, Jane Shyokina, Janet Zeigler, Jason Neft, Jay Mccalla, Jean Dees, Jeff Meadows, Jessica Murray, Jim Muldoon, Jim Reed, Joan Faulkner, Joe Orr, John Adams, John Joyce, Juan Gonzalez, Julie Mesaros, Julie Tournier, Karen Lewis, Kathy Staller, Katrina

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Daniels, Ken Thomas, Kory Aversa, Kurt Douglass, Lauren Fleisher, Laurent Widjaya, Liz Bruno, Lorraine Porcellini, Louis Senofonte, Luis Hernandez, M. P. Moon, Marianne Iorio, Marissa Colston, Mark Aufdemberge, Mark Bacher, Mark Dann, Matt Brown, Mollie Kohler, Monique Turner, Nancy Fazio, Nick Allin, Odel Harris, Oktavia Cherry, Olivia Patton, Pat O’Bannon, Patrick Hagerty, Phyllis Bailey, Qiana White, Rich Bennett, Richard Ross, Richard Saunders, Rob O’Neill, Robert Brown, Ron Hunter, Saad Majidulla, Sandy Smith, Sara Woodington, Sarah Roethke, Sean De Castro, Stacy Hyman Robinson, Stephanie Love, Stephanie Miller, Steve Brando, Stevi Adams, Summer Cass, Susan Zeager, Taylor Bell-Branchcomb, Tim Crilly, Tom Eagan, Tom Shotkin, Tracey Heckstall, Vinh Tran, Yulia Volin

Ticketing Volunteers Superstars: Dan Tharp and Phyllis Bailey

Special thanks: Alex Kohr, Tahirah Turner, Wayne Ritz

Volunteers:

Art Rauss, Diana McCarter, Eric Selzer, Ernie Anziano, Lisa Perry, Nicole Skinner, Marcy Bloomfield, Sal Patrone, Stephen Westover

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A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR

HOST COMMITTEE QFest 2011 Gold Al Besse Stephen Carlino & Dennis Fee, Tavern on Camac, terra, Uncles Silver John Herzins & Duane Bumb Herb & Sissy Lipton Jim Ounsworth David Schellenberg, LinguiSearch Joe Soto FUNDERS & SUPPORTERS Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Pennsylvania Tourism Office Larry Farnese, State Senator, 1st District Dwight Evans, State Representative, 203rd District Mike O’Brien, State Representative, 175th District Babette Josephs, State Representative,

182nd District Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) Dolfinger-McMahon City of Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter Gloria Casarez, LGBT Liaison, Office of the Mayor City Council Members Blondell Reynolds Brown Frank DiCicco James Kenney Frank Rizzo Jr. FRIENDS Andrew Auwerda Ed Barnhart Joe Barber Angela Bauer Thomas Bell Tommy Berner Mark Beyerle George Bochetto Jill and Sheldon Bonovitch Marc Brodzik Andrew Brown

Sean Buffington Kelly Burkhardt Janice Canfield Fred Caruso Marian Conicella James Conway Norval Copeland Dan Contarino Derek Curl Shawn Darragh HughE Dillon Robert Drake James Duggan Randal Edelstein Jill & Michael Feighan Garrett Fardelmann Leo Fox Jeff Guaracino Tony Geistwite David Haas Fred Haas David Hall Ed Hanlon Madeline Deheza Hofer Werner Hoefer Anthony Iatesta Martin Jakubczak Joe Kim Deni Kasrel Bill Kuehn

Supporters

Kevin La Mort Malcolm Lazin Meryl Levitz David Lipson Shawn Lovett Maia Lystad Michaela Majouin Steve McCann Ryan McMenamin Kevin Meeker Chad Merriweather Ed O’Boyle Gabriela Navejas Robert Norton Ruth Perlmutter Nicholas Pesty Rick Piper Heather Quinn Peter Reynolds Tre Rios Richard Ross Berwyn Rowlands Jimmy Rout Mark Seaman Jennifer Shockley Andrea Sokol Nicole Somers Jeffrey Sotland George Tsiouris

more information online • www.qfest.com

Vasiliki Tsiouris Stacie Valocchi Joe Varalli Guillermo Vega Brian Wade David Wagaman Garth Weldon Jolly Weldon Christopher B. Weidenhammer Michael Weiss Andy Williams Richard Wolfe Bill Wood Erica Wurster Bruce Yelk Ellen Yin Noel Zayas INDUSTRY PARTNERS TLA Releasing Strand Releasing Breaking Glass Pictures Roadside Attractions Media Luna Wolfe Video Film Collaborative

QFEST 2011 INDEX OF FILMS FEATURE FILMS Absent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Amphetamine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 The Art of Hardcore Then and Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 August . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Bite Marks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Blackmail Boys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Break My Fall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Buffering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Circumstance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Eating Out - Drama Camp. . . . . . . . 54 eCupid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 The Evening Dress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 A Few Days of Respite. . . . . . . . . . . 55 Finding Me: Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Finding Mr. Wright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Four More Years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Gigola. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Go Go Crazy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Going Down in La-La Land. . . . . . . 25 Gun Hill Road. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Harvest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Hold Your Peace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Hollywood To Dollywood. . . . . . . . 59 homo@lv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 House of Boys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 I Am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Jamie and Jessie Are Not Together.29 Jitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Judas Kiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Kink Crusaders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Leave It on the Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Longhorns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Looking for Simon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Love Actually…Sucks . . . . . . . . . . . 50 The Love Patient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Mangus!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Married in Spandex. . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 My Last Round. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 My Mama Said Yo Mama’s A Dyke. 64 The Night Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 The One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Over the Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 The Perfect Family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Private Romeo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Romeos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 The Sleeping Beauty of East Finchley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 So Hard to Forget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 This Is What Love in Action Looks Like . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Three. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 To Be Announced. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Tomboy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Unhappy Birthday. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 What’s the Name of the Dame?. . . 71 Wish Me Away. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 SHORTS PROGRAMS Love Her or Leave Her. . . . . . . . . . .

Our Lips Are Sealed. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Puppy Love and Lust. . . . . . . . . . . .

Short & Scary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Short & Sweet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Soft Stud Shuffle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45 45 46 46 47 47

SHORT FILMS About Her. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Alice in Andrews Land . . . . . . . . . . 47 Avec Elle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 AWOL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Baby Cake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Bearded Man. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Blocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Butch Tits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Bye Bi Love. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Cappuccino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Chained!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Children of the Dune. . . . . . . . . . . . 71 The Colonel’s Outing. . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Coming Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Cyclicity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Seed Money.34 Fresh Air Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Friday’s Child. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Fucked. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Git Along, Little Dogies. . . . . . . . . . 47

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Go-Go. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Green Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 House for Sale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone. . . . 47 It’s Just a Community Place. . . . . . 45 I Want Your Love. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 I Was a Teenage Werebear. . . . . . . 46 James Dean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 The Kiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Loop Planes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Love, 100°C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Masala Mama. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 More or Less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Nefertitty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Our Lips Are Sealed. . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Poker Face . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Punch Me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 The Queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 The Queer Umbrella . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Regrets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Remission. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Right Body. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Rubdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Sagat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Shave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Smut Capital of America. . . . . . . . . 34 Stay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Sylvia’s Spell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Tech Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Time Spent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Two Beds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Watch Over Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 We Once Were Tide. . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Winner Takes All . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61,66 DANGER AFTER DARK Bangkok Knockout. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Birthright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Finisterrae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In a Glass Cage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Innkeepers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Karate-Robo Zaborgar. . . . . . . . . . .

Milocrorze, A Love Story. . . . . . . . .

Phase 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Point Blank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

more information online • www.qfest.com

D3 D3 D4 D4 D5 D5 D6 D7 D7

DANGER AFTER DARK 2011 D7

Phase 7

Point Blank

Faze 7

À bout portant

Sunday, July 10 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1

Monday, July 11 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

Argentina 2010, 95 min

France 2010, 84 min

Equal parts horrific and hilarious; this apocalypse love story from Argentina is a hugely entertaining genre parody and also a genuinely suspenseful horror film.

A breakneck-paced, high-concept French thriller about an innocent man trying to save his kidnapped wife, this film hits the ground running and never stops.

The directing debut for acclaimed editor Nicolas Goldblart, the Argentine Phase 7 is a near-perfect genre film that doesn’t mind wearing its influences on its sleeve: exploring the basic premise of Rec with the tongue-incheek satirical approach of Shaun of the Dead, Phase 7 follows one man’s hopeless quest to protect his wife from an encroaching apocalyptic plague.

Well … part of the reason that quest seems so hopeless is that Coco and his seven-months-pregnant wife Pipi don’t exactly catch on to the fact that the world is ending: It’s like Dawn of the Dead collided with Dazed and Confused. Coco and Pipi attempt to ignore the obvious and go about their lives in their (quarantined) high-rise apartment building, but when seemingly friendly neighbors start to impose some brutal rules and regulations about how they can all co-exist, Coco begins to wonder if it might be time to abandon his slacker outlook on world chaos. Phase 7 takes a pretty big gamble and pulls it off with immense skill – it’s a low-key, lo-fi, deadpan satire on that most serious of film genres (the apocalypse horror film) and it winds up being both suspenseful and quite funny. (Spanish with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford

The textbook definition of rapid-fire action-thriller, the French hit Point Blank races through its lean, mean 84-minute running time with the kind of adrenaline-pumped B-movie storytelling economy that seems all but forgotten among bloated contemporary Hollywood genre fare. There may not be much subtext complexity in writer-director Fred Cavaye’s high-concept, widescreen thrill-ride, but you’ll be too busy pulling your fingernails out of the armrest to notice. The story sets up its classic “wrong man” scenario in only a few minutes: nursing aide Samuel (Gilles Lellouche) saves the life of mysterious patient Sartet (Roschdy Zem), who’s already survived multiple assassination attempts. Just as Samuel announces his day’s heroism to his pregnant wife Nadia, intruders burst into their home, abduct Nadia, knock Samuel unconscious, and then wake him up later with a ringing cell phone ultimatum: if Samuel wants to see Nadia alive again, he must free Sartet from hospitalization and police guards, and transport him to a specified location.

Samuel cannot go to the police (though two different investigating factions wind up in pursuit for their own reasons anyway), and the clock on his limited time frame is already ticking. Game on. That’s Point Blank in a nutshell, as the film quickly becomes one continuous chase through the streets of Paris, with more than enough double-crosses, stunts, and action to satisfy any fan of the genre. (French with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford

Director: Nicolas Goldbart Cast: Daniel Hendler, Federico Luppi, Jazmin Stuart, Jose “Yayo” Guridi Screenwriter: Nicolas Goldbart Producer: Sebastian Aloi Cinematographer: Lucio Bonelli Editors: Pablo Barbieri Carrera, Nicolas Goldbart Print Source: M-appeal

Phase 7 is Nicolas Goldbart’s debut.

Director: Fred Cavayé Cast: Gilles Lellouche, Roschdy Zem, Gérard Lanvin, Elena Anaya, Mireille Perrier Screenwriters: Fred Cavayé, Guillaume Lemans Producers: Cyril Colbeau-Justin, Jean-Baptiste Dupont Cinematographer: Alain Duplantier Editor: Benjamin Weill Print Source: Magnolia/Magnet Films

Fred Cavayé’s Filmography: Anything for Her (2008)

www.DANGERAFTERDARK.com

D6 DANGER AFTER DARK 2011 Milocrorze, A Love Story Friday, July 8 • 9:45 • Ritz East 1 Japan 2011, 95 min

The kind of Danger After Dark film that defies description, Milocrorze is visually stunning, utterly original, and wildly funny. Think Survive Style 5+.

Incredibly funny and equally difficult to describe, Milocrorze: A Love Story falls into the admittedly difficult category of.just trust me on this one. Director Yoshimasa Ishimasa has concocted a stunning anthology film that is nothing short of hilarious. Story one: orange-haired Ovreneli Vreneligare becomes smitten with the Milocrorze woman of the film’s title. Plot thread two: arrogant and obnoxious media personality Besson Kumagai specializes in offering the worst (and unintentionally funniest) love life advice imaginable. Third time’s the charm: Tamon travels through time to rescue his love Yuri from male aggressors. And the fourth? You’re just going to have to see it for yourself, as Ishimasa unites the various storylines to provide a surprisingly affecting meditation on the nature of obsessive love. Did we mention actor Takayuki Yamada plays all the lead male roles? Or that the entire film has a candy-colored, psychedelic visual style that is, to put it mildly, eye-popping?

Certifiably sui generis, Milocrorze: A Love Story is a must-see. —Travis Crawford Director: Yoshimasa Ishibashi Cast: Takayuki Yamada, Maiko, Anna Ishibashi, Seijun Suzuki, Mieko Harada Producers: Masataka Izumi, Toshiharu Ozawa, Hiroaki Saito Cinematographer: Katsuharu Oyamada Print Source: Shochiku Co. , E:

Milocrorze, A Love Story is Yoshimasa Ishibashi’s debut.

www.DANGERAFTERDARK.com

DANGER AFTER DARK 2011 D5 KarateRobo Zaborgar Denjin Zabôgâ: Gekijô-ban Sunday, July 17 • 9:30 • Ritz East 1 Japan 2011, 101 min

Mind-blowing special effects, outrageous comedy, and a wild story of multi-generational robot-human love make this Japanese genrebender a cinematic party.

The Innkeepers Saturday, July 16 • 10:00 • Ritz at the Bourse USA 2011, 100 min

A masterful exercise in suspense, this film finds Delaware nativeturned-horror auteur Ti West exploring the Shining-like environment of a creepy hotel, in beautifully scary fashion.

When Ti West began his directing career with such Wilmington, Delaware-shot horror films as The Roost and Trigger Man (featured in Danger After Dark several years ago), he seemed like a promising young regional talent. Then came the universally acclaimed House of the Devil, and it’s safe to say any connection to this region was blown out of the water. West is an anomaly: a young filmmaker who is clearly indebted to the genre classics of the ’70s and ’80s, but also an individual voice who has found a way to incorporate those influences into his own distinctive personal take on contemporary horror cinema. The Innkeepers is old-school horror at its very best. Luke and Claire are managing a hotel during its final week of operation, and several of the guests are hidden behind the doors of their rooms and unwilling to respond to Luke and Claire’s greetings. The two employees kid around with each other, but something is not quite right in the hotel, a creepy fact that is only confirmed by the arrival of a mysterious new guest (Stake Land’s Kelly McGillis). West is rapidly on the way to becoming the new king of “slow burn” American horror, and The Innkeepers may just be his finest accomplishment to date.

—Travis Crawford Director: Ti West Cast: Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis Screenwriter: Ti West Producers: Peter Phok, Larry Fessenden, Derek Curl Cinematographer: Eliot Rockett Editor: Ti West Print Source: Dark Sky/MPI

Ti West’s Filmography: Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009); The House of the Devil (2009); Trigger Man (2007); The Roost (2005)

The gleefully excessive (and often quite gory) scifi/horror/comedy hybrids emerging from Japan in recent years have become their own popular subgenre, and no name has been more associated with the movement than Karate-Robo Zaborgar director Noboru Iguchi, previously responsible for such fan faves as The Machine Girl and last year’s Danger After Dark winner RoboGeisha. Whereas some of Iguchi’s earlier work risked having ambitions that exceeded their modest resources, Zaborgar — a tribute to a popular 1970s Japanese sci-fi television series – finds the director working with a healthy budget, stunningly elaborate special effects, and a screenplay that manages to be both hilarious and engaging. The dizzying plot initially centers on the battle between young karate master Daimon and his faithful half-robot/half-motorcycle crime-fighting sidekick Zaborgar, as they battle against a sinister society intent on kidnapping Japan’s political leaders. Daimon’s chief nemesis is the beautiful robot Miss Borg, but their conflict is soon complicated by their newfound desire. Zaborgar is already more imaginative than a thousand Hollywood summer blockbusters by this point, but then Iguchi casually advances the story “25 Years Later”…and the film becomes even more visually astonishing and outrageously funny, turning into a sly satire on the absurdity of secret family ties in genre films (there are fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters…both robot and human!) that is also – believe it or not – even oddly touching. Tremendous fun! (Japanese with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford Director: Noboru Iguchi Cast: Itsuji Itao, Yasuhisa Furuhara, Mami Yamasaki, Yuya Miyashita, Houka Kinoshita Screenwriter: Noboru Iguchi Producers: Shinichi Ikeda, Yoshinori Chiba Cinematographer: Yasutaka Nagano Editor: Takeshi Wada Print Source: Sushi Typhoon

Noboru Iguchi’s Filmography: [Selected] Mutant Girls Squad (2010); The Ancient Dogoo Girl: Special Movie Edition (2010); RoboGeisha (2009); The Machine Girl (2008); Cat-Eyed Boy (2006)

www.DANGERAFTERDARK.com

D4 DANGER AFTER DARK 2011

Finisterrae

In a Glass Cage

Wednesday, July 13 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

Tras el cristal

Spain 2010, 80 min

Friday, July 15 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

This award-winning Spanish mix of high art and low comedy is an indescribably odd portrait of two ghosts wandering though a surreal landscape.

Spain 1987, 110 min

Each year, Danger After Dark seems to have at least one utterly unclassifiable film that almost defies description. In that category, the new Spanish film Finisterrae — the winner of the prestigious Tiger Award at this year’s Rotterdam Film Festival – might be the all-time Danger After Dark champion. A visually mesmerizing experimental fantasy-comedy, writer-director Sergio Caballero’s debut is haunting, humorous, and completely original.

Caballero has been one of the forces behind Barcelona’s Sonar music festival, and his method of constructing Finisterrae has certainly influenced its unique tone: the director created a soundtrack (in addition to original music, the film also makes effective use of Suicide and Nico songs), shaped a travel itinerary for the basic storyline, and then created the structure of the film based around these influences. The story finds two weary ghosts who decide to abandon the spirit realm, so they travel (via foot, horseback, and wheelchair) to the “end of the world” seeking rebirth, encountering various animal friends and foes and strange and surreal marvels. Rewarding viewing for the truly adventurous (the film is narrated in Russian!), Finisterrae is unlike anything else you’ve seen. The Hollywood Reporter review is worth quoting at length: “Slyly beguiling and endearing and finally quite dazzling…has all the makings of a genuine cult favorite. Seemingly inspired as much by Monty Python and Alejandro Jodorowsky … proceedings have an air of freewheeling, daft absurdity that’s consistently amusing and sometimes laughout-loud hilarious.” (Spanish with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford Director: Sergio Caballero Cast: Pau Nubiola, Pavel Lukiyanov, Santí Serra, Yuri Mykhaylychenko, Claudia Schneider Screenwriter: Sergio Caballero Producers: Ventura Barba, Lluís Miñarro Cinematographer: Eduard Grau Editor: Marti Roca Print Source: Montse Pedros

Finisterrae is Sergio Caballero’s debut.

One of the most disturbing films ever made (warning: we’re not kidding), this 1987 Spanish shocker returns in a beautifully digitally restored, newly translated/subtitled 35mm print.

More of a “horror” film by definition of the impact it has on an audience (and, indeed, embraced by genre movie buffs as a result), In a Glass Cage is such a profoundly unsettling film that it leaves even a hardened cinecynic shaken. Some films shock you while they unfold, some leave you with a sense of unease as you leave the theater, and some permanently scar you right down to the soul. Writer/director Augusti Villaronga’s acclaimed feature debut does all three. If the pedophilia, sado-masochism, sexual violence, Nazi atrocities, and torture don’t get you, then the film’s generally creepy, sweaty, claustrophobic hothouse tone of despair will certainly do you in. Following the end of World War II, Nazi doctor Klaus – trapped immobile in an iron lung after a failed suicide attempt – retreats to a Spanish villa with his miserable wife Griselda and their daughter Rena. Klaus hires a nurse, Angelo, to tend to him, but it soon becomes apparent that Angelo is scarcely a qualified caregiver, and he’s there for other purposes. When Angelo was an adolescent, he shared a violent sado-masochistic relationship with the doctor, and now the young man is eager to reenact these perverse scenarios for the incapacitated Klaus, even to the point of abducting local young boys and inflicting the unimaginable on them. When Griselda and Rena begin to uncover the relationship between Klaus and Angelo, they find their own lives in danger as well. Villaronga is merciless in his portrayal of dominance and submission, victimization and control, and this restored 35mm print demonstrates that the horrific masterpiece In a Glass Cage has lost none of its power and controversy in the 24 years since its release.

(Spanish with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford Director: Agustí Villaronga Cast: Günter Meisner, David Sust, Marisa Paredes, Gisèle Echevarría Screenwriter: Agustí Villaronga Producer: Teresa Enrich Cinematographer: Jaume Peracaula Editor: Raúl Román Print Source: Cult Epics

Agustí Villaronga’s Filmography: Black Bread (2010); Aro Tolbukhin in the Mind of a Killer (2002); The Sea (2000); El niño de la luna (1989)

www.DANGERAFTERDARK.com

DANGER AFTER DARK 2011 D3

Bangkok Knockout

Birthright

Saturday, July 9 • 10:00 • Ritz at the Bourse

Saitai

Thailand 2011, 107 min

Tuesday, July 12 • 9:30 • Ritz at the Bourse

The bone-crunching, ass-kicking Thai martial arts film to end them all, this action epic from the stuntman behind the Ong Bak series will leave you beautifully bruised.

Japan 2010, 108 min

I’m not going to lie to you: the screenplay for Bangkok Knockout isn’t exactly Oscar Wilde. An action movie stripped down to its bare essentials, the film is a showcase for martial artists who have trained their bodies to perform acts that you and I will never be able to imitate, and you will watch this one with a mixture of wide-eyed grins and jaw-dropped astonishment. Bangkok Knockout director Panna Rittikrai is the stuntman king of Thai action films – in addition to being the mentor of Tony Jaa, he has also directed the Ong Bak sequels and Born to Fight — and he has delivered his best work here. The action choreography in Bangkok Knockout is mind-blowing: watch, marvel, feel out of shape. The fetching Joy (Supaksorn Chaimongkol) is a participant in a martial arts tournament that will determine who advances to use their skills in Hollywood… but it doesn’t seem to matter who wins and who loses, as they all wind up in a warehouse, locked in a duel to the death. A showcase for Rittikrai’s incredible stunt team, Bangkok Knockout is awesome entertainment.

The last hour is…well, you’re just going to have to see it for yourself (Thai with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford Directors: Panna Rittikrai, Morakot Kaewthanee Cast: Chatchapol Kulsiriwoottichai, Sarawoot Kumsorn Screenwriters: Doojit Hongthong, Jonathan Siminoe, Panna Rittikrai Producer: Panna Rittikrai Cinematographer: Pipat Payakha Editors: Sarawut Kakajad, Nonthakorn Taweesuk Print Source: Magnolia/Magnet Films

Panna Rittikrai, Morakot Kaewthanee’s Filmography: [Selected] Ong Bak 3 (2010); Ong Bak 2 (2008); Born to Fight (2004); The Bodyguard (2004)

This taut, intense psychological thriller about kidnapping and fractured family ties explores the mysterious and vicious bond between three women.

One of the strongest Japanese horror films in recent memory, Birthright is also one of the strangest. Neither a Ring-styled supernatural creep-out nor a campy, sophomoric gorefest, writer-director Hashimoto Naoki’s feature debut is a rigorous, minimalist psychological thriller with a coldly clinical, precise approach that makes this dysfunctional family nightmare seem more like a Michael Haneke film than a Hideo Nakata genre movie. Largely confined to one or two settings, with a fixed or very slowly moving camera tightly focused on its three female protagonists, Naoki’s film is as singleminded as its main character’s quest for revenge. Twenty-something Mika is first seen silently stalking members of a family in their small port town, and she soon abducts the teenage daughter Ayano, taking her to an empty warehouse where the two young women sit for days without Mika speaking to Ayano, or giving her food and water. She is determined to let Ayano die, and when the girl’s mother Ryoko tries to reach Ayano, Mika intercepts and only responds with a text message informing the mother that Mika plans on destroying that which is most precious to Ryoko. The revelation of why Mika has kidnapped Ayano to torment Ryoko is not particularly surprising, but Birthright excels in its stark portrayal of emotional agony (the cinematography is as dark as dark gets, and the soundtrack is as quiet as imaginable). The fact that Birthright contains little on-screen violence doesn’t prevent it from building to a shocking and even heartbreaking climax. (Japanese with English subtitles) —Travis Crawford Director: Naoki Hashimoto Cast: Sayoko Oho, Miyu Yagyu, Ryoko Takizawa, Hiroshi Sakuma Screenwriters: Naoki Hashimoto, Kiyotaka Inagaki Producer: Naoki Hashimoto Print Source: Eleven Arts

Naoki Hashimoto’s Filmography: Hikari sasu umi, bokuno fune (2008)

www.DANGERAFTERDARK.com

D2 Welcome from the programmer Throughout the eleven-year history of Danger After Dark, we’ve programmed our fair share of zombie movies and slasher films, and our devotion to pure genre cinema is one rooted in genuine affection. But we also wanted to explore the truly dark and confrontational examples of challenging cinema, and we hope that you have savored the ride. Whether they’re graphically gory, sexually explicit, formally experimental, or just plain indescribably strange, we would like to think that we’re pushing the boundaries of what you expect when you go to the movies. Antique French hardcore erotica, Canadian teen feminist werewolf satires, Japanese S&M opuses, retrospectives of Shaw Brothers martial arts masterpieces, the longburied debut of Catherine Breillat, ultra-creepy Korean ghost stories, Greek dysfunctional family psychodramas, Hong Kong gangster epics, Gaspar Noe stroboscopic psychedelic freak-outs, revived Japanese women-in-prison classics…and, of course, more Takashi Miike, Sion Sono, and Park Chan-wook films than you can shake a stick at. We love horror and action films more than anyone else. But we’re also interested in testing the boundaries of what cinema can accomplish, and we also want to test the limits of you, the audience. In other words – we want to touch the places in you that other films don’t quite reach. We hope you’ve enjoyed the eleven years being thrilled, astonished… and, well, maybe traumatized. And we hope that you’ll find this year’s crop of Danger After Dark selections to be equally jaw-dropping.

Travis Crawford

Welcome to Danger after dark 2011 9 FILMs $10 EAch FOR TICKET INFO SEE PGS 38-39

Milocrorze, A Love Story Bangkok Knockout Phase 7 Point Blank Birthright Finisterrae In a Glass Cage The Innkeepers Karate-Robo Zaborgar

Friday, July 8, 2011 Saturday, July 9, 2011 Sunday, July 10, 2011 Monday, July 11, 2011 Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Wednesday, July 13, 2011 Friday, July 15, 2011 Saturday, July 16, 2011 Sunday, July 17, 2011

www.DANGERAFTERDARK.com

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