Derek Jarman, Peter Berlin at Outfest 2008, Sunday, July 13
by Andre Soares
Synopses from the 26th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival website.
SUN 7/13 11:00am
DGA 1
Watercolors
(USA, 2008, 106 mins)
Directed By: David Oliveras
SCR: David Oliveras
You never forget your first crush, and Watercolors will make you nostalgic for your own teen romance. Shy Danny is befriended by golden boy swimming champ Carter when family circumstances bring them together. Danny helps the troubled Carter in school while brash Carter brings Danny out of his shell, awakening his passion for art as well as his burgeoning sexuality. This hot and heartbreaking adolescent romance is bolstered by strong performances and a poignant script by director David Oliveras. In Person: Director for Q&A after the screening.
SUN 7/13 2:00pm
Fairfax 1
Fashion Victims / Reine Geschmacksache
(Germany, 2007, 90 mins)
In German with English subtitles
Directed By: Ingo Rasper
SCR: Tom Streuber & Ingo Rasper
Karsten wanted nothing more than to get away for a holiday with his teenage friends, but circumstances force him to become a driver for his obnoxious, clothing salesman father. Things grow more complicated when Karsten strikes up a flirtation with Steven, his father’s chief competitor. A crumbling career leads his father to increasingly desperate acts, compelling his son to grow up faster than he anticipated. This well-staged German comedy combines a coming-out tale with screwball comedy and poignant family drama.
SUN 7/13 5:00pm
REDCAT
Super 8 1/2
(Canada , Germany, 1993, 99 mins)
(In English)
Directed By: Bruce LaBruce
SCR: Bruce LaBruce
Inspired by Fellini’s 8 1/2, Bruce LaBruce’s loosely autobiographical film focuses on an aging triple-X star and director whose career and life are caught in a downward spiral until he meets Googie, a lesbian avant-garde filmmaker. Googie wants to make an experimental documentary featuring our star. While Bruce thinks that this is his big break to get back on track, Googie is secretly only exploiting him in order to finance her true passion project.
SUN 7/13 5:00pm
DGA 2
Derek
(UK, 2007, 76 mins)
Directed By: Isaac Julien
Derek is a glorious tribute of one of independent film’s greatest treasures, Derek Jarman. Isaac Julien assembles a moving collage of rare home movies, film clips and interviews, enriched by a cinematic love letter from actress Tilda Swinton. Jarman lived as a participant observer, responding to all that passed before him. When Swinton recites "Dear Derek," it’s a salutation and adjective, for Jarman touched so many. Derek fulfills Jarman’s offhanded last wish to not let him "evaporate."
SUN 7/13 7:00pm
Fairfax 1
The Lost Coast
(USA, 2008, 74 mins)
Directed By: Gabriel Fleming
SCR: Gabriel Fleming
Halloween night in the Castro — a holiday and neighborhood were never better matched. Former high school pals Jasper, Mark and Lily reunite for one last booze-fueled adventure before Jasper marries his college girlfriend. Beneath the revelry lies Jasper and Mark’s undeniable magnetism; there is an undertow to their relationship pulling them back to memories and feelings neither has resolved. Fleming is a gifted director who illustrates well, in the words of William Faulkner, that "The past is never dead. It’s not even past."
SUN 7/13 7:00pm
DGA 1
Hamlet 2
(USA, 2008, 92 mins)
Directed By: Andrew Fleming
SCR: Andrew Fleming & Pam Brady
When a high school threatens to shut down the theatre department, failed actor-turned-drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan) takes the classic musical approach to his dilemma and decides to put on a show. Not just any show, but a self-penned sequel to Shakespeare’s Hamlet…set to music…and starring Jesus. Spot on performances from Catherine Keener, Amy Poehler and Elisabeth Shue make this one of the funniest, politically incorrect films of the year!
SUN 7/13 8:00pm
REDCAT
Nights in Black Leather
(USA, 1973, 90 mins)
Directed By: Ignatio Rotkowski
With his trademark swagger, skintight jeans and rock hard body on full display, Nights in Black Leather thrust Peter Berlin into the international spotlight (and into the fantasies of thousands of gay men). Berlin stars as himself, a German immigrant wandering around San Francisco looking for adventure. With steamy scenes shot all over the city, Nights is both an exciting romp and an erotic time capsule of gay life in San Francisco circa 1972.
SUN 7/13 9:30pm
DGA 1
Newcastle
(Australia, 2008, 106 mins)
Directed By: Dan Castle
SCR: Dan Castle
Australian surfers — the words alone ignite the imagination. Newcastle is a layered, beautifully shot coming of age story following pro-surfer-in-the-making Jesse, and the lost weekend he and his buddies spend on a secluded beach. Jesse’s brother, Fergus, tags along eager to be one of the gang (and not so secretly crushing on sexy Nathan).The guys will be tempted, taunted and tested as their lives change forever, in this risk-taking film that paddles out past the breakers and takes on the big waves.
Donna Deitch, Dan Butler: Outfest 2008
Ferzan Ozpetek, Bruce LaBruce: Outfest 2008
MAMMA MIA!, "Rough and Ready" Shorts: Outfest 2008
BREAKFAST WITH SCOT Opens Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
San Francisco Silent Film Festival 2008
JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, Chuck Connelly: Los Angeles Film Festival 2008
HELLBOY, Guillermo Navarro: Los Angeles Film Festival 2008
Derek Jarman, Lee Atwater: Los Angeles Film Festival 2008
NIXON/FROST to Open Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival
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