SHERI ELFMAN & PATRICK STEVEN WAECHTER | 4.25.2007
FROM APRIL 27 TO MAY 6, THE theaters in South Florida will be taken over by some of most original and clever gay and lesbian films ever made. It’s time for the ninth annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The event features ten days worth of films and parties. We at The 411 got a hold of some of these GLBT flicks so we can help guide you in your festival-going experience.
The documentary “Lulu Gets a Facelift” follows the legendary San Francisco drag queen as she gets ready for a little nip and tuck. In between interviews with Lulu’s closest confidantes, the viewer is treated to old videos of past performances. This includes Lulu’s debut at age 3.
Lulu is a fun and refreshing character who is full of optimism and whimsy. You can’t help but cheer her on as she prepares for her surgery and for a fierce comeback. –SE
Luke is a gay cliché in the cliché gay ghetto of Chelsea. Whenever he’s not at bars looking for play, spouting lines like, “Lose a button, gain a friend,” he’s working at a sex shop to pay the rent. He dresses flamboyantly. What attention isn’t commanded by his hats and sequins is demanded by his libido. Luke is pleased to live his life in a blur until one would-be pickup, Stephen, spells it out for him, that he in fact is a living cliché. Through his confidante and coworker Zeke, Luke explores emotions beyond his penis and dives further into the definition of the “four letter word” that drives us all crazy, love.
“A Four Letter Word” is certainly one of the stronger narrative films of this year’s festival. The actors deliver their parts quite well (and a few of them aren’t so bad to look at either). Look for a cameo from former 411 features editor Andy Zeffer. The film is spot on in the questions it asks about many of our gay cliché friends (you know who you are). Viewers will be left questioning their priorities with respect to sex and relationships. -PW
“A Four Letter Word” plays Friday, May 4 at 8:00 p.m. at the Flamingo South Beach at 1500 Bay Rd. in Miami Beach.
“The Curiosity of Chance” takes place in the 1980s in an American high school in Europe. The cute dramedy is about openly-gay Chance Marquis and how he survives his sophomore year when he is transferred to the unique school.
Chance battles homophobia, but also makes good friends along with way. It stars the lanky and adorable Tad Hilgenbrink as Chance and “Eating Out 2’s” Brett Chukerman as his crush, Levi. The characters are quirky, the costumes are loud and ‘The Curiosity of Chance’ is a sweet, fun film. –SE
“The Curiosity of Chance” plays Sunday, May 6 at 3:15 p.m. at the Colony at 1040 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach.
What is life like for identical twin boys who diverge paths when one realizes his life makes more sense as a woman? “Red Without Blue” follows the lives of Mark and Claire (Alex) Farley over a three year period. The film illustrates the emotional difficulties both siblings have faced with respect to Claire’s transition including Mark’s questioning his own identity given that he was born identical to his newfangled sister.
“Red Without Blue” opens a very interesting dialogue and asks a lot of new questions with respect to the naturally instilled identity of one’s gender and sexuality. The cinematography and direction are certainly of great quality. Though the content does drag a bit and seems repetitious at times, “Red Without Blue” is successfully insightful in the end. -PW
“Red Without Blue” plays Wednesday, May 2 at 8:00 p.m. at the Regal Cinemas South Beach at 1100 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach.
Jamie Babbit, director of the much-loved “But I’m A Cheerleader” brings us “Itty Bitty Titty Committee.” The film is about Anna, a high school senior who gets over being dumped by her girlfriend by joining the feminist group C.I.A. (Clits in Action). While she connects with a hot blonde group member Sadie, Anna grows more confident in herself.
In addition to a complicated romantic situation, Anna finds herself distancing from her family and from her job at a plastic surgery office. The film, which has some funny highlights, runs a bit long. Actresses like Melanie Mayron from “Thirtysomething,” Daniela Sea from “L Word,” and model Jenny Shimizu add their star power to the film. –SE
“The Itty Bitty Titty Committee” plays Saturday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m. at the Colony at 1040 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach.
On the east side of Los Angeles, a neighborhood metamorphosis is in effect. The traditionally Latin American neighborhood is being gentrified, by a mass influx of gay. Director Carlos Portugal brings us “East Side Story,” a tale of these changing east side neighborhoods. The story is told through the lives of Diego, a young Latino gay man with aspirations to get out of town, his closeted lover Pedro and tawdry aunt Bianca.
“East Side Story” illustrates a dual mentality in the changing east side of Los Angeles. What the film might lack in perfection of acting quality it makes up for in thought provocation. When are you really stuck anywhere? -PW
“East Side Story” plays Sunday, April 29 at 9:30 p.m. at the Regal Cinemas South Beach at 1100 Lincoln Rd. in Miami Beach.
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