<<< Wednesdays in 2008 >>>

The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre and Outfest collaborate to present gay and lesbian programming on Wednesdays at the Egyptian. Outfest Wednesdays is the only gay and lesbian-themed weekly screening series in the country. Founded in 1999, the programming features favorites from past festivals, Hollywood revivals, filmmaker retrospectives and sneak preview and word of mouth screenings of upcoming releases. For more information about Outfest see www.outfest.org.

Some evenings are in the 78 seat Steven Spielberg Theatre. Those films will screen twice the same night.

Discuss this series with other film fans on:
http://www.myspace.com/americancinematheque

January

2 MINUTES LATER, 2007, 76 min. Directed by Robert Gaston. The queer pleasures are endless in this entertaining thriller. Abigail, a beautiful femme-dyke private investigator, teams up with macho gay guy Michael to investigate the vanishing of Michael's twin, an erotic portrait photographer with a bad reputation. When Michael poses as his brother, potential suspects emerge from the woodwork. Amid the suspense, hilarious one-liners and abundance of full-frontal male nudity, 2 MINUTES LATER successfully keeps audiences riveted, laughing and definitely turned on. Discussion following with director Robert Gaston and actor Jessica Graham.

OF MEN AND GODS, 2002, Haiti, 52 min. Dir. Anne Lescot. This exceptional documentary shot in Haiti is about the intersection of a gay subculture and Voodou. The encounter of these two worlds leads us into a powerful, mystical and symbolic environment where freedom of being, of existing, and of incarnating the gods is expressed through theatrics and deep emotion. Through this we learn of the need these men have to find meaning to their lives in a society where homosexuality is still a taboo subject. Through Voodou, some homosexual Haitians find an explanation to their sexuality, and regard themselves as "children" of the gods, therefore provided with protection.This same divine protection is also what forces the civilian society to accept and respect these men, though with limitations. A riveting exploration of a very sensitive topic, helped immensely by touching characters who bear a will to live and to be who they are regardless of the obstacles met on their way. In French Creole with English subtitles.

FEBRUARY

VICTOR VICTORIA, 1982, Warner Bros., 132 min. Dir. Blake Edwards. Oscar season is upon us so it is only appropriate to celebrate awards fever with a screening of seven-time Oscar-nominated musical VICTOR VICTORIA, winner for Best Original Song Score in 1982. It’s the 1930s in Paris, and singer Victoria Grant (Julie Andrews) finds herself struggling to make ends meet. In a moment of self-preservation, Victoria agrees to pose as a man impersonating a woman, taking on her friend and co-conspirator Toddy (Robert Preston) as her gay lover. But this perfect plan only goes so far when super straight Chicago gangster (James Garner) senses something is amiss when he starts falling for "Victor." Co-starring Leslie Ann Warren. Leslie Ann Warren will appear in person for discussion.

WITH YOU! 2006, 68 min. Director Yaniv Dabach’s documentary follows New York City’s first gay rugby club, the Gotham Knights, as its coaches and players strive to prove to themselves and to their more established opponents that they have what it takes to become a real team. For some players, who were unable or unwilling to participate in team sports when younger due to their sexuality, the Knights offer an opportunity to experience feeling part of a team for the first time. For others, the team allows them to form genuine friendships with gay men without seeking sex or romance. As the camera follows the diverse men who make up the team from practice sessions to numerous action-packed games, what emerges is a sense of true brotherhood and a love for the game. Discussion following with director Yaniv Dabach. POST-EVENT RECEPTION HOSTED BY: ABSOLUT

MARCH

THE STRANGE ONE, 1957, Sony Repertory, 99 min. Dir. Jack Garfein. Ben Gazzara has a field day in his screen debut as a warped military-school student with a brutal iron grip on his fellow classmates. Based on THE GRADUATE author Calder Willingham's novel End As A Man, THE STRANGE ONE is unique as one of the few projects developed by the Actors Studio (where it began as an Off-Broadway play) that made it intact to the screen. The political allegory and sado-masochistic and gay subtexts right below the surface caused considerable controversy on the film’s initial release. With George Peppard (also in his first feature film), Pat Hingle. Read more about this movie. Actor Paul Richards will join us for a discussion following the film. Alex Fernandez will moderate.

CRUISING, 1980, Warner Bros. Classics, 106 min. A bleakly chilling emotional travelogue of desperation, loneliness and spiritual hunger, Al Pacino stars as a naïve undercover cop who descends into the leather bar underworld of New York’s gay S&M scene to ferret out a serial killer. Widely condemned and misinterpreted on its initial release, CRUISING emerges today as one of director William Friedkin’s major works -- it succeeds as a police procedural, a horror film (there are scenes every bit as terrifying as THE EXORCIST) and a saga of one man’s confrontation with his disintegrating, "decent" self-image. With Paul Sorvino. Featuring a terrific score by composer Jack Nitzsche, with songs by The Germs.

April

FINN’S GIRL, 2007, 88 min. Dir. Dominique Cardona and Laurie Colbert. Winner of Outstanding Emerging Talent, Outfest 2007. Finn, a flirtatiously confident and workaholic doctor, has dedicated her life to running her late partner Nancy’s abortion clinic while raising their daughter Zelly. When a charming pair of surveillance cops arrives on the scene, they provide more than protection for Finn and Zelly - particularly Diana, the female partner of the duo. Gracefully balancing the intrigue of a mystery/suspense film with smart domestic drama, FINN’S GIRL delivers a refreshingly sophisticated, original story.

THROUGH THICK AND THIN, 2007, 77 min. Dir. Sebastian Cordoba. Winner of the Freedom Award, Outfest 2007. Love knows no bounds, but for most bi-national gay and lesbian couples, it does know borders. This gripping documentary highlights the seemingly insurmountable odds facing gay and lesbian couples, regardless of citizenship, when they fall in love. At the courts’ mercy, couples’ careers, home life and safety are threatened by governments that refuse to recognize their relationships. Tender and inspiring, THROUGH THICK AND THIN skillfully depicts the tricky navigations that couples make to stay together. Official website. Discussion following with director Sebastian Cordoba.

May

WATER LILLIES (NAISSANCE DES PIEUVRES), 2007, Koch Lorber Films, 85 min. Dir. Celine Sciamma. This feature directorial debut staring newcomers Pauline Acquart (Marie), Louise Blachère (Anne) and Adèle Haenel (Floriane), explores the vast theme of nascent teenage sexuality through the relationships of three 15-year-old girls who compete in their school’s synchronized swimming team. Together, they confront the confusion and cruelty of adolescence while learning about love and desire. The aquatic setting enhances the amorphous, fleeting nature of their interactions. In French with English subtitles. www.myspace.com/pieuvres

JUNE

THE CURIOSITY OF CHANCE, 2006, 99 min.Dir. Russell P. Marleau. In this madcap homage to John Hughes’ teen comedies of the '80s, Chance Marquis, an openly gay, decidedly eccentric teenager, faces the scariest ordeal imaginable - he's the newbie in high school. Armed with a unique sense of style, Chance is determined to make a place for himself without sacrificing his individuality. He recruits a wacky circle of friends - two oddball outcasts, a straight jock he's crushing on and a fearless drag queen - as he pairs off against the homophobic bully threatening his would-be peaceful high school existence. With a keen eye for '80s kitsch and equal portions of teen angst, big hair, pop music and drag queens on a mission, Russell Marleau's charming feature debut makes the revenge of the nerds a sweet treat for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

Movie Dearest: ...  The Curiosity of Chance  is like a "lost John Hughes movie" - Ferris Bueller's Gay Off? --  Kirby

Wire Magazine:  …writer/director Russell Marleau  uses true John Hughes style to tell this really compelling, heartwarming and  humorous story.  Just like Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, and Ferris  Bueller’s Day Off, Russell creates a beautiful collage of bubble gum  colors, sardonic wit, and simple yet relatable relationships. -- Thomas  Barker
Reception hosted by Absolut to follow.

JULY

Outfest Wednesdays is on hiatus in July so they can focus on the Outfest 2008 Film Festival this month!

AUGUST

GIRLS SHORTS, Total running time: 94 min. Sometimes a girl's life is like an obstacle course - trying to navigate ex-gay conversion, fights over babies and dildos and then there's the prison beauty pageant. Or perhaps it is more like a mystery novel. What's going on in that S&M dungeon? Why is big sis trying to dress like a boy? And why isn't that hottie picking up her phone? This exceptional shorts program has it all! For specific titles and filmmaker guests, please check back online closer to date: www.outfest.org

BOYS SHORTS, Total running time: 85 min. From Australia to Long Island, these superb boys' shorts inspire laughter, contemplation…and they might even turn you on! Aussie beach boys learn to say goodbye, a young man develops a crush on his cousin and a bear finds unexpected love in a charming locale. For specific titles and filmmaker guests, please check back online closer to date: www.outfest.org