THE
BLACK CAT
www.peccapics.com
WELCOME It’s time for the second edition of THE BLACK CAT! Peccadillo Pictures quarterly look at the very best in LGBT cinema available on DVD, BD, streaming and download. Here we cover our latest titles alongside a selection of films from our huge catalogue of material that spans the last thirteen years. We have an insightful interview with exBad Boys Inc. member David W. Ross on his new career as an actor and filmmaker and two gorgeous Peccadillo staff members reveal why they love two of our classic titles.
W atc h t h e l at e s t c i n e m a r e l e a s e s at h o m e and on the go
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CONTENTS 4-5
D AV I D W R O S S I N T E R V I E W
6-7
AMERICAN INDIE
8-9
S TA F F P I C K / T E E N AG E K I C K S
10-11
WOME N IN LOVE
12-13
BOYS ON F ILM
14-15
B R IT PAC K
16-17
IDENTITY / FREEDOM
Join our newsletter for the latest updates at curzoncinemas.com/newsletter
18-19
HALLOWE E N / LOL
curzonhomecinema.com
20-21
S TA F F P I C K S / N I C O L E C O N N
22-23
WORLD
/curzonhomecinema
/curzonathome
3
The film has won a number of Audience Awards; what do you think strikes a chord with audiences?
What drew you to the project? I was living in LA and met someone from the UK. He couldn’t get his work permits sorted out and had to move back to the UK. We had talked about him getting married for his green card but decided against it. So the film started off as a gay “green card” movie. My character was always a photographer so I decided to start shooting. I spent a lot of time taking shots of the Prop 8 rallies here in California and it was there that I saw couples, with families, fighting for their rights. It was then I DO took more of a dramatic turn becoming a family drama rather than a broad comedy. What research did you do around green card marriages and laws surrounding gay marriage? I read a lot of press & newspaper articles. Spoke with a lot of gay couples to see what psychological obstacles they were against living in a country where one of them could be deported at any time. And I spoke with a lot of people who had married for a green card to stay in the country and how that affected everyone around them. It was really fascinating to see all the emotional intricacies that came into play from societal to family to personal even when it’s a sham marriage. How was the casting for I DO done? Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Alicia Witt were handed my script through my agent and came on board pretty quickly but the rest of the cast were found by our casting directors. Jessica, who plays my niece, stunned us in the auditions and I saw Maurice’s tape and knew instantly he had to play Mano. I know there were some name actors with ripped torsos being suggested, which I felt was entirely wrong for the tone of the film. I’m really happy about who we cast as Craig, Mike Manning. He was a little younger than what I wanted but I think in some ways it works a lot better. Mickey Cottrell, who plays Sam, is a personal friend and I begged him to sign on. I think it took a few conversations and a schedule juggle as he’s a very busy man.
4
D AV I D W R O S S
Did you have any political motivations for the project? At the beginning not at all but as my outrage grew with what was happening in my home State with Proposition 8, the State law that banned gay marriage, I wanted to say something that would shake things up. I did everything I could to not make the film all about the issue. I would never want to watch a film like that. But I love family dramas and characters that have secrets that are eating them up. What do you hope to do next? More film. I’m working on a new script and I’m also looking to actually just be an actor and work with other directors. Very excited about working in the UK as well if there are any projects that work out. Available on DVD and download now.
Photograph by Zelko Gorickic
D AV I D W R O S S ON I D O
I’m still completely blown away by the audience response at both gay and straight film festivals. With young people and old. I didn’t want there to be a separation between the audience and what was happening on screen. The whole point for me was to take people on a journey to have them literally feel what it’s like to live in a world where you’re deemed to be a second class citizen. I’m still very moved by audience reactions. I think it strikes a chord because we’re telling the truth. We’re showing that this issue affects everyone, not just the couple who had no legal marriage and immigration rights.
D AV I D W R O S S
5
6
Follow James Dean on his first steps to becoming the international icon of youth and rebellion. This honest exploration of Dean’s sexuality and formative relationships redefines the young man behind the image for a new generation.
AMERICAN INDIE
Dir. Adam Salky
A stellar cast headline this captivating story about three gay, straight and confused high school seniors at a crossroads in their adult lives. With Alan Cumming & Sandra Bernhard
Dir. Ned Farr Lesbian marine officer Alexandra is ordered home and asked to train up tearaway teen Saffron. Together, they come to blows with the one opponent they can’t beat: military policy.
Dir. Casper Andreas A riveting and uncensored look at the glittering stars and studios of Hollywood, and its lesser-exposed neighbour - the seedy and cut-throat porn industry.
“Excellent, slick, and sexy” - SoSoGay
Dir. James Bolton. Based on the novel by Jim Grimsley
When Nathan moves in next door to Roy, the boys strike up a friendship as high school study partners and their emotional bond soon turns to physical attraction.
AMERICAN INDIE
L E AV E I T O N T H E F L O O R
GOING DOWN IN L A L A L AND
A highly charged encounter between a filmmaker and a lawyer grows into a decade long affair rich in sex, friendship, intimacy and love. Keep The Lights On takes an honest look at the nature of relationships in our times.
AN D VTEH TEO N H C IADMEE L O L A A LO
Dir. Matthew Mishory
D A ALR OEV E T O H I D E
Dir. Travis Matthews A bold and unflinching look at gay relationships among a group of San Francisco friends including scenes of real sex, striking controversy amongst global film censors, including Australia, where the film was banned.
A RR T RWAI ITTHO AP YO EA O FU TJ ALM OEVSE D E A N
IA WL A ON VT E Y T O UHRI DLEO V E
In order to avoid an X rating, 40 minutes of gay S&M footage was rumoured to be cut and destroyed from the film CRUSING starring Al Pacino. Inspired by the mythology of this controversial film, these filmmakers collaborate to imagine their own lost footage.
Dir. Ira Sachs
D R E A M BOY
Dir. James Franco & Travis Mathews
A MARINE STORY
INTERIOR. L E AT H E R B A R
K E ILTIHGOHUTTS LOONV E AEYEEPATRHW
+
AMERICAN INDIE
Dir. Sheldon Larry With songs by Beyonce’s music director Kim Burse and choreography by Beyonce’s dance master Frank Gatson Jr. ‘Leave it on the Floor’ is a one of a kind celebration - a gay African-American musical about finding your true family.
Dir. Megan Siler & Ellen Seidle
A sexy, lesbian romp, where Lola, on the verge of success in both love and work, could lose it all if she is late. With an upbeat soundtrack and hot all-lesbian cast.
75
Peter Jackson’s cult masterpiece about the true story of a crime that shocked a nation. Starring Kate Winslet & Melanie Lynskey
Dir. Lisa Aschan
A taboo-busting modern Western, She Monkeys presents a trio of young women for whom gender is both weapon and toy, pushing the boundaries of political correctness to breaking point.
BUMBLEF**K USA
This was young gay people being portrayed, with the same questions and dilemmas I was having. TAN LINES itself is very authentic, I loved the director Ed Alridge’s style and the cast gave very convincing performances. It also helped that the film is full of hot sex and half naked guys throughout! It played a huge part in me wanting to work for Peccadillo, feeling like I could really make a difference to young LGBT peoples’ lives, by showing that they are not alone.
Dir. Peter Jackson
SHE MONKEYS
+
TAN LINES was a very important film for me. It signalled a shift in my life, I had left escaped the Isle Of Wight (thank god!) and started University. I was yet to come out to my family and I was still not satisfied with the rather bland representation of gay life on TV (*ahem* Will & Grace) – I remember seeing a small ad for a gay film with surfers. Surfers!
H E AV E N LY C R E A T U R E S
JASON B R AD B U RY O N TA N L I N E S
Dir. Aaron Douglas Johnston Arriving in a small town in Iowa, filmmaker Alexa meets local girl Jennifer, and an immediate attraction develops.
“A landmark lesbian romance” - Cine Outsider
8
S TA F F P I C K S
Dir. Dan Castle
Gregg Araki’s third film, it is also one of his most controversial. Six gay LA teenagers discuss and engage in sex, drugs and infidelity.
Extreme surf action, duelling hunks and high school crushes abound in this Australian cult classic. With Xavier Samuels (Twilight)
TE E NAG E KIC KS
H O U S E OF BOYS
Dir. Gregg Araki
NE WCASTLE
T O T A L LY F * * K E D U P
+
The final thing that secured TAN LINES a place in my heart was my boyfriend producing the same advert I saw years before we met, cut out and saved neatly amongst his things. Let’s call it fate.
Dir. Jean Claude Schlim
A glamorous, colourful coming-of-age story that follows the dramatic journey of Frank, a high school kid in 1984 through an exciting world of sex and music. Starring Stephen Fry
59
Gail and Ben have it all – two successful careers, a beautiful house, lots of vacations and Margarita, the amazing nanny for their teenage daughter, Mali. However their financial façade is beginning to crack and Margarita being well aware of this has been stretching resources in creative ways. Although working illegally in Canada for the last six years Margarita is passionate, resourceful and devoted to them. But life is not all work for Margarita, the shy law student Jane is clearly in love with her but is hesitant to bring their relationship out from the closet.
Dir. Maryam Keshavarz
Iranian youth culture is filled with underground parties, sex, drugs and defiance, Circumstance is the story of two young women whose sexuality struggles against the boundaries of their Islamic state.
H I G H LY S T R U N G
Dir. Dominique Cardona & Laurie Colbert
C I R C U M S TA N C E
M A R G A R I TA Dir. Sophie Laloy
Heady passions of unrequited adolescent love collide with sinister overtones of jealousy, lust and envy. “Single White Female meets The Page Turner” - Variety
JAMIE & JESSIE ARE NOT TOGETHER
WOM E N I N LOVE
Dir. Wendy Jo Carlton Jamie is moving to New York in two weeks, Jessica thinks she is in love with Jamie, so as moving day gets closer she tries to make Jamie jealous by dating other women, with hilarious results.
When Gail and Ben decide that the best way for them to save money is by firing Margarita they set off a chain of events that could lead to her deportation. The well-meaning couple, now desperate to keep Margarita in the country, come up with a scheme to keep her around. But on the eve of her departure, Jane arrives with one proposition that could change everything.
10
WOM E N I N LOVE
Weaving between past and present, Hannah Free reveals how two passionate women maintain their love affair despite a marriage, a world war, infidelity, and family denial. Starring Sharon Gless
Dir. Rolla Selbak
Three young Middle Eastern women in Los Angeles find their lives intertwining as they defy tradition to create their own realities. Starring Sheetal Sheth
WOM E N I N LOVE
W E H AV E T O S T O P N O W
Dir. Wendy Jo Carlton
THREE VEILS
At Peccadillo we nurture film making talent of the future. This often begins with a short film, and we always return from film festivals to present the best of the best from the filmmakers of tomorrow.
HANNAH FREE
HERE COME THE GIRLS 1-3
Dir. Robyn Dettman
Hilarity ensues when lesbian therapists Kit and Dyna have to go through counselling! Starring Cathy DeBuono & Jill Bennett
5 11
B OYS O N F I L M
B OYS O N FILM X
BOYS ON FILM X is the tenth volume in the world’s most successful short film series. A young man goes through a series of encounters that will change his life forever, an unearthly beauty will put a relationship at risk, a friendship is questioned as a secret is revealed and a young boy haunts a village long forgotten. All boundaries will be broken as BOYS ON FILM X promises to take it further than ever before, showcasing some of the most sexy, unique and brilliant filmmaking from around the world. These eight new short films have been showcased at some of the world’s biggest festivals including Frameline Film Festival, Iris Prize Film Festival, Outfest and the BFI London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival.
12
B OYS O N F I L M
B OYS O N F I L M
513
+
B R IT PAC K
JJ (SKINS star Joel Dommett); an aspiring MC has just arrived on London’s exciting underground urban music scene. He’s got the skills, he’s got the rhymes, and he’s got the drive. But JJ isn’t going to find it easy in this world, not only is he a white boy but he’s also gay.
A one-night stand becomes something more in this unconventional love story between two young men that won the hearts of audiences around the globe.
Dir. Kanchi Wichmann Three days in the lives of four friends on the pulsating streets of East London. Girlfriends Liza and Sally have a band to pull together and a birthday to celebrate, yet from this moment on, their lives will change forever.
Dir. Rikki Beadle-Blair
FIT
Dir. Rikki Beadle-Blair
WEEKEND
Dir. Andrew Haigh
B RE AK MY FALL
BASHMENT
Skins meets Glee when a last chance dance class becomes a therapeutic encounter between adolescents struggling with their ideas about sexuality and adulthood.
An unsettling tale of an uncle and his nephew which combines a heightened sense of English normality with the logic of madness. Starring David Hoyle & Ashley Ryder
14
B R IT PAC K
Dir. Andrew Haigh A moving, graphic docu-drama, drawing on the real life experiences of its young cast who work within the world of London-based gay escorts, or ‘rentboys’. Pete, an ambitious young man wants to be known as the best in his field.
Dir. Campbell X JJ is a Black Lesbian, ‘Stud’. Together with her best friend, Seb, a white gay pretty boy, they work as wedding photographers. Their clients are wide, weird and wonderful. JJ and Seb are both looking for love but in the wrong places.
B R IT PAC K
LIKE IT IS / SURVE ILL ANCE
Dir. David Hoyle, Mike Nicholls, Gary Reich
TH E COST OF LOVE
STUD LIFE
+
Dale is an attractive, hardas-nails gay male escort specialising in fulfilling sexual fantasies - dressing up as a schoolboy, BDSM, you name it, he’s done it, yet his own dreams of a happy ending are very complicated.
GREEK PETE: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A RENT BOY
Dir. Carl Medland
U N C L E D AV I D
Dir. Paul Oremland
Two gritty and contemporary British feature length films that couldn’t be any more different save for one similarity - both heroes are gay men.
515
Dir. Sébastien Lifshitz
Eleven lesbians and gay men in their 60s and 70s, tell personal stories of their lives. These are often revealing and pioneering as they recall their personal experiences.
Dir. Greta Schiller
Revealing and often humorous, Before Stonewall exposes the fascinating and unforgettable decadeby-decade history of homosexuality in America.
WE WERE HERE
Dir. Julia Solomonoff A visually-stunning and beautifully-acted tender portrayal of the unexpected revelations that affect two children as they begin the transition to adolescence.
B E F O R E S T O N E WA L L
At every turn Mel attempts to disguise her true gender from new girlfriend Jenny. Her journey from tomboy to out lesbian is fraught with life-defining dilemmas and sweet surprises.
LES INVISIBLES
Dir. Nana Neul
T H E L A S T S U M M E R O F L A B OY I TA
MY F RIE ND F ROM FARO
15 year old Alex has a secret. When a plastic surgeon and his son visit her coastal retreat, Alex’s insecurities about her sexuality manifests itself in a teenage crush like no other.
Dir. David Weissman The first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco and the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.
16
IDENTITY
Dir. Joseph F Lovett A stunning visual document of New York during the decade of gay liberation and sexual abandon following Stonewall.
“Enlightening, wistful and totally hot.” ★★★★ - GT
Dir. P. David Ebersole
Dir. Jeffrey Schwarz
Your AAA pass into the life of lesbian Hole drummer Patty Schemel. A tale of overnight success, the cost of addiction, and ultimately, recovery and redemption. With Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
A HBO documentary about Vito Russo who brought us all out of the “Celluloid Closet” charting his rise as the most important LGBT activist of our time. “Extraordinarily
FREEDOM
VITO
A tale of star-crossed lovers with a difference, Sabine Bernardi’s richly textured ode to teenage love takes a fresh and unique look at a romantic encounter that transcends boundaries.
HIT SO HARD
Dir. Sabine Bernardi
Laure is 10 years old. Laure is a tomboy. Should she let Lisa and her crowd believe that she is a boy? Truth or dare? Dare.
G AY S E X I N T H E 7 0 ’ S
Dir. Celine Sciamma
Gay male prostitutes Mikhail and Jamel with transsexual Stephanie are three lost souls who share an unbreakable bond, an unconventional rare three-way relationship of honesty, love and trust.
ROMEOS
Dir. Sebastien Lifshitz
TOM BOY
WILD SIDE
+
XXY
Dir. Lucía Puenzo
moving and powerful.” ★★★★★ Attitude
517
Fresh from his grave, confused young gay zombie Otto has memory problems, so he goes in search of the truth in the seedy underground art squats and S&M clubs of present day Berlin.
HALLOWE E N HOWLE RS
Dir. Jaymes Thompson
On the eve of the biggest LGBT blowout of the year, five gay and lesbian couples find themselves having to make reservations at the secluded Sahara Salvation Inn.
Dir. Carlos Portugal A hilarious reworking of ‘West Side Story’, with LA’s Latino suburbs coming to terms with an influx of gay caucasian residents!
Dir. Rikki Beadle-Blair Watch and wince as a fledging referee struggles to control this testosterone tsunami as rude-boy meets bum-boy in this outrageous new comedy set in the crazy world of 5-a-side footie.
LOL
LOOSE CANNONS
COCKLES & MUSCLES
G AY B Y
Dir. Olivier Ducastel & Jacques Martineau Marc takes his family on a holiday to the Cote D’Azur, only for the trip to descend into anarchy as sexual experimentation runs riot! “Funny and filthy romp... immensely funny” - The List
C O D E P E N D E N T L E S B I A N S PA C E A L I E N S E E K S S A M E
Dir. Bruce LaBruce
A famous gay model disappears at the height of his fame. Rumours about murder and blackmail abound for years until a young journalist decides to investigate the strange events.
Filmmaker Holly invites the stunning Vicki to take part in a documentary she’s shooting about the ‘Weekend Vampire’ phenomenon. A passionate and erotic affair quickly develops between the two women.
Jenn has given up on romance, so holds her Gay Best Friend Matt to a promise once made in high school – to have a baby together. It’s a promise that Matt can’t get out of.
KICK OFF
Dir. David Kittredge
Dir. Jonathan Lisecki
Dir. Mark James & Phil O’Shea
E AST SIDE STORY
When cute, wide-eyed Toby comes out of a disastrous relationship, sister Charlotte sets him up on a blind date with a difference. What neither of them realise is that the date is with Lucas, a 1500 year old vampire.
VA M P I R E D I A R Y
Dir. Jason Davitt
G AY B & B O F T E R R O R
VA M P I R E S : B R I G H T E R I N D A R K N E S S
A refreshingly queer and sexy take on the British horror film when a surprise birthday turns into a living nightmare.
OTTO
U N H A P P Y B I R T H D AY PORNOG R APHY: A THRILLE R
18
Dir. Mike Matthews & Mark Harriott
Dir. Ferzan Ozpetek
Tommaso returns home from Rome intending to announce at the family dinner that he is gay. But that evening, just as he says “silence please”, he is upstaged by his brother who, to everyone’s surprise, reveals his own secret!
Dir. Madeleine Olnek Are Earth girls easy? Three lesbian space aliens have landed on Earth with a mission to fall in love, become heartbroken and save their planet. “Gloriously tongue in cheek and thrilling to watch” - DIVA
519
D R O O PA D H I A R O N FOUR MINUTES
THE NICOLE CONN COLLECTION
FOUR MINUTES was one of the first Peccadillo Pictures titles I saw, immediately captured by the striking yet classic packshot of the protagonist Jenny playing the piano in chains. Expertly crafted, with a remarkable performance by HANNAH HERZSPRUNG, this is a film that stays with you long after you have seen it. Peccadillo released the film in cinemas in 2008 to outstanding critical acclaim and won two Golden Lola awards; Germany’s equivalent of the Oscars. I watched it for the first time with my family who were equally stunned by how affecting and captivating the film was. With the rich array of titles in the Peccadillo back catalogue, I feel FOUR MINUTES is a classic not to be ignored; it’s one to watch on your own, with your other half, with friends, even with your parents. A fractured woman with a born musical gift, FOUR MINUTES never strays into becoming a cliché of your typical Oscar-nominated film – instead, it shocks and compels with one of the most potent endings in cinematic history. I am proud to have FOUR MINUTES on my DVD shelf.
20
S TA F F P I C K S
The highly praised and captivating CLAIRE OF THE MOON is a defining chapter in modern Lesbian cinema, the first time that an out lesbian director and cast made a lesbian film for a lesbian audience. Now re-mastered with exceptional sound and vision, Peccadillo Pictures presents it for a new generation in an exquisite three disc box set that also includes her new blockbuster ELENA UNDONE, alongside MOMENTS: The Making of Claire of The Moon, and the first lesbian period bodice-ripper, the scorching CYNARA. The one box set that every girl can’t be without.
A PERFECT ENDING
Dir. Nicole Conn
ELENA UNDONE
Fate brings two diversely different women together, and sets them on a journey of love and exploration in Nicole Conn’s tale of star-crossed lovers.
Dir. Nicole Conn
A woman begins a carnal journey of self discovery after a high-class call girl reveals her deepest, darkest secret. “The sexiest lesbian film of the year” - Curve Magazine
NICOLE CONN
21
WORLD
22
Yossi, a gay workaholic doctor has his mundane routine shaken when a blast from his past sets him on a journey leading a new life of love and self-discovery.
THE FISH CHILD
Dir. Eytan Fox
This luscious 19th Century lesbian romance is based on a true story, a beautiful and seductive film that dramatically portrays a historical case of genderbending.
Dir. Lucía Puenzo When Lala engages in an affair with her father’s maid, the pair plan a heist to set them free. A gripping tale of forbidden lesbian romance that boasts beautiful cinematography and electrifying performances from its two female leads.
Dir. Eldar Rapaport
A man leading a double life finds his obsessions leading him in a dark, troubling direction in this drama featuring a powerful performance from Deon Lotz.
When Troy moves back to LA after many years in Barcelona he finds his ex, Jonathan has begun dating Raul, a handsome South American immigrant. Sexual tension’s rise between the three men in LA’s stultifying summer heat.
“A poetic, dreamlike valentine to the exquisite agony of first love” - Attitude
WORLD
Dir. Malu de Martino
A enriching exploration of the passions and pangs one can experience when both deeply in and out of love. It’s a film about falling back in love, and how it really isn’t so different from that ‘first time’.
WORLD
EYES WIDE OPEN
Dir. Oliver Hermanus
A visually arresting film about burgeoning teenage love on the Belgian coast.
AUG UST
Dir. Bavo Defurne
BE AUT Y
An exciting tale of a young man whose life is turned upside down when he overcomes his deepest fears to help a ghostly group break free of their eternal prison.
SO HARD TO FORGET
+ Dir. Ferzqan Ozpetek
NORTH SEA TEX AS
A M AG NIF IC E NT HAU NTING
To prevent a boycott of the 1936 Olympics, the Americans insist that Nazi Germany must allow Jews onto their team and specifically demand the participation of Jewish high jumper Gretel Bergmann the leading high jumper of her time. To ensure Gretel doesn’t win gold the Nazi’s include an unknown German rival, the mysterious Marie Ketteler with a secret of her own. Marie is really a boy.
Dir. Donatella Maiorca
YOSS I
Dir. Kaspar Heidelbach. Starring Karoline Herfurth.
SEA PURPLE
BERLIN 36
Dir. Haim Tabakman
Aaron, a butcher in Orthodox Jerusalem is a pillar in his community. However, when he hires handsome student Ezri, sexual tensions begin to escalate. Starring Ran Danker
5 23
N AV I D A D
Dir. Sebastiรกn Lelio Three teenagers with growing pains end up spending a life-changing Christmas Eve together in an abandoned country house. A sensuous Christmas tale from the director of GLORIA.