specialeventsapril

Our annual survey of some of the best in Queer Short Films. We’ll take you on a trip from bisexual land through those other popular nations of gay and lesbian. We will make side tours to transexualism, courtesy of those trusty modes of travel, live-action and animation. Listen in and ask questions afterwards as the filmmakers dispense wisdom, production stories and exchanged glances.

Corky Quakenbush’s "Bitanic" (5 min.) The "other" ending to "TITANIC." A claymation masterpiece. Michael Trull’s "Preemie" (5 min.) A Lesbian mom, nuclear-powered premature babies and a creature that will make your sides ache, fuel this animated gem. Ernesto Foronda’s "The Favor" (5 min.) A young straight boy does a big favor for his gay best friend. Deb Strutt & Liz Baulch’s "Bare" (9 min.) A hot sex act gets everyone’s sexual juices flowing. Abigail Severance’s "Bone Wish" (4 min.) An osteo-erotic obsession one girl has for another. Sharon Ferranti’s "A Thousand Miles" (23 min.) A gay brother and sister deal with their pious upbringing in very different ways. Atmospheric regional filmmaking set in Texas. Patrick McGuinn’s "Soda Pop" (7 min.) Break dancing and soda figure prominently in this small town tale of one outsider’s summer. Alexandra Steele’s "Like a Brother" (12 min.) Compassionate and emotionally accurate portrayal of male teenage homophobia. Julian Cautherley’s "Blue Haven" (17 min.) While two L.A. skateboarding buddies careen about looking for empty swimming pools, they end up someplace quite different. A melding of "RUN LOLA RUN" and "DOG DAY AFTERNOON." Marie Pierre Huster’s "Entrevue" (Meeting, 9 min.) This Sundance 2002 selection concerns a daydreaming beauty who aces a job interview all the while thinking of "the night before." Discussion to follow with filmmakers Corky Quakenbush ("Bitanic"), Michael Trull & Rick Ziegler ("Preemie"), Ernesto Foronda ("The Favor"), Abigail Severance ("Bone Wish"), Patrick McGuinn ("Soda Pop"), Alexandra Steele ("Like A Brother") & Julian Cautherley ("Blue Haven").

Outfest members to receive $1.00 off the general ticket price upon presentation of a current membership card. (Not valid with any other offer.)

Series Compiled by Andrew P. Crane and Shannon Kelley

Wednesday, April 17 – 7:30 PM

A NIGHT AT THE EGYPTIAN WITH STUART GALBRAITH & AKIRA KUROSAWA’S HIGH AND LOW

New 35 mm. Print! Special Booksigning!

HIGH AND LOW, 1963, Cowboy Booking, 142 min. Dir. Akira Kurosawa.Using American crime novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain as a starting point, maestro Kurosawa manages to examine social class barriers and the harsh realities of unprincipled capitalism as well as the tumultuous conscience of Toshiro Mifune, a shoe magnate challenged with a life-changing decision. Will he or won’t he pay the ransom when lone wolf psycho Tsutomu Yamazaki accidentally kidnaps the son of Mifune’s chauffeur, instead of Mifune’s own child? The specter of greed is seamlessly integrated into this mesmerizing suspense thriller. One of Kurosawa’s best, seen here in a stunning new 35 mm. print! With Tatsuya Nakadai, Kenjiro Ishiyama. Prior to the screening at 6:30 PM in the Egyptian Lobby, noted Japanese film historian Stuart Galbraith will join us for a special Booksigning of his acclaimed new biography of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune, The Emperor And The Wolf ($43)!!

Wednesday, April 24 - 7:30 PM

WRESTLING WITH ANDY KAUFMAN

A screening of two documentaries, I’M FROM HOLLYWOOD and MY BREAKFAST WITH BLASSIE, detailing comic enfant terrible, Andy Kaufman’s bizarre obsession regarding all things wrestling with a discussion between films with Kaufman alumni and filmmakers, Lynne Margulies, Johnny Legend and Bob Zmuda.

Series Compiled by Chris D.

Special Thanks: Lynne Margulies and Johnny Legend.

Double-Feature:

I’M FROM HOLLYWOOD, 60 min. Joe Lynne Productions, 1992 Dir. Lynne Margulies and Joe Orr Andy Kaufman's bizarre descent into the world of professional wrestling, including his escalating feud with Jerry Lawler and his challenge to amateur women wrestlers everywhere, is chronicled in this very funny documentary that asks the question – was Andy bent on ruining his Hollywood career or engineering one of the most elaborate show biz put-ons ever?

MY BREAKFAST WITH BLASSIE, 1984, Lautrec/Legend Productions, 60 min. Dir. Linda Lautrec and Johnny Legend. Andy Kaufman meets legendary wrestler Freddie Blassie at Sambos Restaurant and intellectual discourse on wrestling, cleanliness and picking up girls follows in this merciless spoof of the arthouse hit, MY DINNER WITH ANDRE.

PLUS 22 minutes of clips of rare Kaufman appearances and performances.

Discussion between films with filmmakers and Kaufman alumni Lynne Margulies, Johnny Legend and Bob Zmuda