Streisand sing-alongs. Movies with titles like "50 Ways of Saying Fabulous." Could it be time for another Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (SLGFF)?
The 11th edition of this stalwart film festival opens Friday, Oct. 13. Unlike bigger events that invade Capitol Hill in May, this film fest runs a compact 10 days, ending on Oct. 22. But during those ten days, the organizers have tried to stuff enough movies to satisfy every film lover.
"It's not just 10 days of films. It's an experience," said Rachael Brister, executive director of Three Dollar Bill Cinema (the organization that produces SLGFF). "We want the festival to be a place to gather and a place to discuss the issues raised by the films."
And also a place to have a little fun, whether attending a sing-along version of "Funny Girl" at the Cinerama or a party at the Aquarium following a screening of the very adult "Shortbus."
Besides the ticketed events, SLGFF is sponsoring two free showings at the Capitol Hill Library on Oct. 15 and at the main branch on Oct. 22.
"We really like to do partnerships with the Seattle Public Library," said Jason Plourde, artistic director and programmer for SLGFF. "We understand that paying for a ticket just isn't possible for everyone. Besides, I have very fond memories of going to free movies at the library with my grandfather."
This year, Plourde's picks for the library showings were two programs of shorts for the Capitol Hill Library. The first program, starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, focuses on men and women who work to overcome prejudices in their communities, ranging from lesbians facing violence in South Africa to Native Americans already isolated from their culture in cities.
The second free program on Sunday, Oct. 15 at the Capitol Hill branch focuses on writers who have an impact on the community. "Reporter Zero" tells the story of journalist Randy Shilts (author of "And the Band Played On"), whose groundbreaking AIDS reporting initially met with strong opposition from both the gay and straight community.
"The Capitol Hill space is very intimate and I hope that will help spark discussions after these screenings," said Plourde.
The following Sunday, "The Celluloid Closet of Yiddish Film" features works from the 1920s through the beginning of World War II. Film scholar Eve Sicular will be at this free screening at the downtown public library to discuss how Jewish concerns of the time were played out with allusions to same gender attraction and identity conflict in films ranging from musical comedies to supernatural dramas.
"It's so important to me to not just have the latest films in the festival, but also show the archival works," said Plourde.
Other favorite revivals of Plourde's include a screening of Ken Russell's "The Music Lovers" about the life of Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky, with a gorgeous young Richard Chamberlain as the tormented composer married to the nymphomaniac Glenda Jackson. "The minute that we announced this, people started coming up to me and saying how glad that they were that we were showing Russell's work," said Plourde.
Another big request from the fans of the SLGFF was a continuation of the festival's sing-along move. This year's pick of "Funny Girl" was a natural, said Plourde.
"After all, Barbra Streisand is touring again this year, but she's not coming here," he said. "So we're bringing a bit of Barbra to Seattle." Fans are encouraged to come in their favorite Barbra costume to the sing-along "Funny Girl" on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m. at the Cinerama, downtown at Fourth and Lenora.
Besides the archival treasures, the SLGFF also presents a wide range of local films, new releases, and international hits. One of the most controversial is "Shortbus," a film about sex in all its positions that is getting either "love it" or "loathe it" reviews since it opened in New York. John Cameron Mitchell ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch") directs this comedy about a sex therapist in search of an orgasm. The film leaves virtually nothing to the imagination.
"Shortbus" is the opening feature for the festival on Friday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m., also at the Cinerama.
Another don't-miss movie is "50 Ways of Saying Fabulous," according to Brister.
"This a lovely movie with amazing cinematography, set in New Zealand," she said. "It's about two cousins, and how they have to cope with being different from the rest of their school. The story is handled so well and the child actors are amazing."
Brister was also impressed by "The Gymnast" about a woman who finds love while performing an aerial act. "Again, this is a very subtle and well-done film," said Brist.
"50 Ways of Saying Fabulous" plays Sunday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Cinerama. "The Gymnast" also plays on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Exit.
For a complete schedule of the SLGFF, check their website at www.seattlequeerfilm.com. Tickets are $6 to $10 for most movies, with $25 for the opening night and closing night parties. A full festival pass for $175 allows passholders into any screening at the festival. Festival venues include the Harvard Exit, Broadway Performance Hall, Cinerama and the Northwest Film Forum.
Rosemary Jones writes about arts and entertainment for the Capitol Hill Times. She can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com.
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