Powerful tales of tragedy and triumph take center stage: By D. KEVIN McNEIR
If you’re looking for some of the best feature and short films dealing with the daily challenges and joys associated with
LGBT life, then check out the 12th Annual Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (MGLFF), beginning April 23 and continuing for 10 days, through May 2. The festival will feature over 80 films with multiple screenings taking place at
the Regal Cinemas South Beach, Playground Theatre, FIU Biscayne Bay Campus and Tower Theater.
The opening night gala will feature a 2009 Toronto International Film Festival favorite, I Killed My Mother, while the
talented and tantalizing Benjamin Bratt stars in the film slotted for the closing night gala, La Mission; both events take
place at the Gusman Center for Performing Arts. Program director Kareem Tabsch said that despite the current recession, the festival is in good shape.
“Like any other non-profit, today’s economic climate has made things more difficult for us with sponsorship dollars
and individual donors harder to secure,” Tabsch said. “But we are lucky in that we have a strong base of donors who value what we do. In addition, there are still corporate sponsors who see the value in marketing to the GLBT community and see the film festival as one of the best ways to market to our community here in South Florida.”
Roger Walker-Dack, a sponsor that represents members of the Producers Circle, has been involved with the festival
11 of its 12 years. He notes that being affiliated with the festival remains one of his top priorities.
“Besides being an avid film buff, I believe the festival is one of the most important cultural events we have on South Beach,” Walker-Dack said. “And it’s not just the movies, although this year’s films are going to make this a great festival, particularly the opening night presentation and the documentary on Joan Rivers. I can’t think of a better
way to bring the gay community together. Times are hard for me too but I have invested in the festival and say it’s a matter of prioritizing.”
Tabsch says there will be more activities and parties this year after being forced to scale back last year due to the
economy.
Eclectic collection makes choosing the best film ‘tough’
‘Plan B’ premieres at the Regal 17 Cinemas in South Beach. (Photo courtesy of MGLLF)
Tabsch found it hard to contain his excitement when talking about the movies that are part of this year’s lineup. In fact, this year will provide offerings from countries that are still confronting issues of human rights and homophobia including Hong Kong, Israel, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
“Both the best and toughest part of my job is finding a stellar program of queer films and while it started out rough, as always, I think we have ended up with one of the greatest slates ever,” Tabsch said.
Festival organizers feel that many underrepresented minority groups will get to shine through for filmgoers.
“This is more than just an entertainment festival because there are so many viewpoints that, through these films,
illustrate what’s going on in the world,” said Frank Castro, the festival’s interim executive director. “Some are documentaries which means they are true depictions of the situations LGBT people across the globe are facing but even the fictional pieces take on some serious issues.
With 80 films to choose from, it’s tough to come up with a plan on which movies to see, but here are five this writer recommends:
1) Rivers Wash Over Me (US): South Florida premier of John G. Young’s reflection on the sensitive Sequan, a New York City orphan who is forced to move to the rural South to live with his aunt and cousins where he must endure
both grief and rape in a town gripped in turmoil. Don’t take a “potty break” during this one. The film that will precede
Rivers, Billy & Aaron, should be a great piece as well, if not because of its presentation of the life of jazz great, Billy
Strayhorn, then because of its outstanding director, Rodney Evans.
2) Hannah Free (US): South Florida premier featuring the incomparable Sharon Gless; about two childhood friends who fall in love during a time when lesbian love is strictly forbidden. Yet despite sickness, society’s restrictions and family obstacles, Hannah and Rachel eventually find love, while struggling to find meaning in the “winter” of their lives.
3) The People I’ve Slept With (US): Quentin Lee’s delightful tale features the handsome Wilson Cruz in a story
about love, friendship and the pain of betrayal. Get ready for drama, drama and more drama.
4) Children of God (Bahamas): With a stellar cast and beautiful cinematography, this powerful film features a young artist, a handsome musician and the wife of a popular but homophobic pastor who are all brought together on the island getaway of Eleuthera as they seek refuge from their complex community where conservative views on sex, love and religion threaten to destroy them.
5) Hermafrodita (Dominican Republic): One cannot discount the bravery of director Albert Xavier, whose story is based on true events and comes from a land where queer cinema is far from being embraced. The story focuses
on the romance between La Melaza, a young man on the run after seeking revenge on the gang member who murdered
his younger brother, and the beautiful Maria, a shy seamstress who wants nothing more than love, but fears rejection
because of a hidden secret — she was born a hermaphrodite (having both male and female genitalia).
