West Hollywood, California (Thursday, July 23, 2009)OUTFEST wrapped up an exciting run last weekend, and happily there were most definitely more highs than lows.
Australian hit Greek Pete, a docudrama on male escorts in London. WeHo News. |
In years past some have joked of the overtly “indie” quality of much of LGBTQ film; works riddled with shoestring budgets, poor writing, predictable stories and amateurish acting.
Sure, that element presented itself this year as in years past. But this year a strong slate of unique films did shine brightly.
Previously reviewed opening night selection La Mission was awesome and moving. Sadly, I missed We Are The Mods, although I did get to check out the scooters all parked in front of the Director’s Guild on Sunset Boulevard- a total gas, man!
Mods won the Audience Award for Outstanding First U.S. Dramatic Feature Film and the Grand Jury Award for Outstanding screenwriting. Pop culture lives!
Also winning the Special Programming Award for Freedom was Glenne McElhinney’s treatise exploration of LGBTQ So Cal life, On These Shoulders We Stand.
Glenne McElhinney’s treatise exploration of LGBTQ So Cal life, On These Shoulders We Stand. WeHo News. |
This fascinating story should be required viewing for virtually everyone who takes their rights today for granted, and that would be most of us.
It should be playing in loop at the One Archive, after they move into the spacious 1343 North Laurel Avenue address that should be their home.
Australian hit Greek Pete, a docudrama on male escorts in London, landed the Special Programming Award for Artistic Achievement. Seems they had to get artsy so we would maintain interest in the graphic sex scenes of male hustlers.
I know I usually turn away when handsome naked young men fill the screen with lovemaking. Don’t you? Thank G-D for art and artifice, eh?
The touching George O’Donnell film College Boys Live was a fest darling, and won the Special Programming Award for Emerging Talent. This film was surprisingly deep in its approach as an audacious situational documentary.
Rivers Wash Over Me .WeHo News. |
Audience Award for Outstanding Dramatic Feature Film went to Spanish film Chef’s Special, a comic, poignant story of the complicated life of a gay Madrid chef, directed by Nacho G. Velilla.
Previously reviewed film in WeHo News, the Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film went to Derrick L. Middleton for his introspective, internalized work in Rivers Wash Over Me.
Adam Salky’s stunning debut feature Dare starring Emmy Rossum, Alan Cumming and Zach Gilford closed Outfest this year to a packed house.
Another outstanding entry, Doris Yeung’s Motherland presented an offbeat tale on Chinese tradition, with lesbian, murder and traditional whodunit elements all rolled into one noiresque package.
If you haven’t yet joined OUTFEST, please do so as they do present events and films throughout the year.
LGBTQ film is still important with something to say: let’s watch and listen.
More information at OUTFEST.org.
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