Folsom Forever is a new documentary by Mike Skiff. It tells the story of the history of the Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco. Folsom Forever combines interviews with organizers, scholars and politicians with archival footage, as well as footage and interviews from the 29th annual Folsom Street Fair in 2012. The Folsom Street Fair […]
Review: Peter de Rome: Grandfather of Gay Porn
Peter de Rome Grandfather of Gay Porn is a new documentary by Ethan Reid. It chronicles the life and work of British filmmaker Peter de Rome, who began shooting erotic gay shorts in the 1960s, at a time when homosexual sex (and pornography itself) was still illegal. What most struck me about the film was how […]
Review: Regarding Susan Sontag
Susan Sontag was an influential and renowned scholar, feminist, critic, filmmaker, and author – perhaps one of the last of a generation of public intellectuals, the likes of which are rarely seen now. Nancy D Kates’ new documentary film, Regarding Susan Sontag, is an in-depth look at the life and work of this inspiring and […]
Review: Kate Bornstein is a Queer and Pleasant Danger
Many people probably recognize Kate Bornstein’s name from her books, including Gender Outlaw and My (New) Gender Workbook. She was also the second woman to ever receive a degree from Brown University. An author, performance artist, gender theorist, activist, and self-proclaimed trans-dyke, Bornstein has been an inspiration to many in the gender non-conforming community for […]
Review: Kumu Hina
Frameline award-winning Kumu Hina (“Teacher Hina”) is a new documentary by directors Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson. Hamer and Wilson previously worked together on Out in the Silence, a film about LGBTQ individuals in rural America, and the discrimination and bigotry they often face. It was during an Out in the Silence screening in Hawaii […]
Austin’s Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival
aGLIFF, or the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (which some of you might know as the Polari Film Festival), was founded in 1987 by Scott Dinger. aGLIFF will celebrate its 27th year Sept 10-14 here in Austin at the Alamo Drafthouse S Lamar. aGLIFF is the longest running film festival in Austin, older […]
Review: For No Good Reason
Directed by Charlie Paul, For No Good Reason <http://www.fornogoodreasonmovie.com/> is a documentary chronicling the life and art of Ralph Steadman. Steadman (http://www.ralphsteadman.com/) is a British artist most famous for his collaborations with Hunter S. Thompson in the 1960s and 70s, which marked the birth of gonzo journalism (http://www.gonzo.org/articles/lit/esstwo.html). The film draws on current footage, as […]
Review: Disney’s Maleficent
**NOTE: This review contains SPOILERS** There’s been a lot of talk lately about whether Disney is turning a new leaf regarding its portrayals of female characters. Given the latest kerflufle with the #WeWantLeia Twitter hashtag, I remain skeptical. In fact, I refrained from seeing Disney’s Frozen because I saw mixed reviews on social media from […]
SXSW Film Review: Song from the Forest
Song From the Forest had its US premiere at Austin’s 2014 SXSW festival. Directed by Michael Obert, Song From the Forest chronicles the life and work of Louis Sarno. Sarno is an ethnomusicologist whose work with the Bayaka pygmies has led to him becoming a full member of their community and creating a life in […]
SXSW Film Review: Born to Fly
Born to Fly is a new documentary film which premiered March 8 at the 2014 SXSW festival. Directed by Catherine Gund, Born to Fly chronicles the work of action architect Elizabeth Streb of the STREB Extreme Action Company in Brooklyn, NY. STREB was founded in 1985, allowing dancers to explore Streb’s “POPACTION” techniques both in […]