12 LGBTQ films to kick off first half of NewFest in NYC
NewFest, New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival, is screening nearly 150 features, shorts, and documentaries from around the world Oct. 15-25 at area venues. This year’s program, the festival’s 38th, opens with the highly anticipated Oscar hopeful, “La Bola Negra.” The film by directors (and former partners) Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, tell three stories about … Read More
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NewFest, New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival, is screening nearly 150 features, shorts, and documentaries from around the world Oct. 15-25 at area venues. This year’s program, the festival’s 38th, opens with the highly anticipated Oscar hopeful, “La Bola Negra.” The film by directors (and former partners) Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, tell three stories about “what it means to be gay.” The festival closes 10 days later with a screening of “The Man I Love,” out gay writer/director Ira Sachs’ latest drama, starring Oscar-winner Rami Malek as a gay man with AIDS in 1980s New York. In between there are panels and premieres and opportunities to see some forthcoming films including, “Mouse,” “Clarissa,” “Club Kid,” and “Coward. Here, in alphabetical order, is a rundown of a dozen films screening during the first half of this year’s NewFest.
Paul Rowley’s galvanizing documentary, “Gays Against Guns,” (Oct. 16, 6:45 pm, SVA, and virtual Oct. 15-30) is the filmmaker’s compassionate portrait of the titular activist group that came out against gun violence in response to the Pulse nightclub massacre in 2016. The film shows how Gays Against Guns formed and how members honored survivors by marching in the Pride parade. They also participate in civil disobedience. The activist subgroup Queerz of the Night spray paint messaging across the city and members protest and get arrested as a way of calling attention to their cause. Rowley also interviews the mother of Bailey Reeves, a trans teenager who was killed while out with friends one night, and features Antonius Wiriadjaja recounting how he survived being shot. The film includes some sobering statistics, and Rowley follows the NRA and its money. The group’s success is also shown as the activists have helped change the law. “Gays Against Guns” explain why guns are a “gay” issue — from the danger of queer youth having access to firearms to showing how hate and fear often beget violence. However, Rowley’s film is best at illustrating the power of queer people motivated to change things for the better.
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The romantic drama “Iván & Hadoum” will run on Oct. 16 at Newfest.NewFest[/caption]
“Iván & Hadoum” (Oct. 16, 8:45 pm, SVA) is a sweet romantic drama about the title characters, Iván (Silver), a trans man, and Hadoum (Herminia Loh Moreno), a Moor, in Spain. They work at the same vegetable packing plant, where Iván aspires to become a manager — to afford a new apartment for him and his cramped family — while the carefree Hadoum is a packer who moves from job to job. After they kiss on the beach one night, each insists they don’t want to fall in love, but they grow closer despite concerns from each of their families. Things come to a head when the plant they work for is being put up for sale and Iván is asked to keep Hadoum and her fellow packers from sabotaging an audit. “Iván & Hadoum” is a gentle drama that addresses negative attitudes towards trans people but also gives Iván his dignity. The film benefits from Silver’s assured performance and his chemistry with Herminia Loh Moreno is appealing. Viewers will want them to couple up against the odds.
“9 to 5” (Oct. 17, 2:00 pm BAM) will always be better known for Parton’s catchy, Oscar-nominated theme song than her first big screen appearance, but she still sparkles in this female empowerment comedy directed by the late out Colin Higgins. As Doralee Rhodes, the secretary to the “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” Franklin Hart, Jr. (Dabney Coleman), Parton knows how to handle her lecherous boss. Sure, she can overlook him deliberately knocking over his pencils to ogle her, but she is righteously angry to learn everyone in the office thinks she is his mistress. And when she does, Doralee threatens to get her gun and change Hart “from a rooster to a hen with one shot.” She is also unafraid to hogtie him — which she does in an act of revenge. "9 to 5" is played as broadly as its humor, but the film coasts along on the solid chemistry Parton has with her costars, the fabulous Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.
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Dolly’s upbeat disposition shines through in a role that fits her like a glove in “Steel Magnolias.”NewFest[/caption]
“Steel Magnolias” (Oct. 16, 5:00 pm, BAM) may be pure southern-fried cornpone, but this crowd-pleaser still manages to elicit Dolly’s character, Truvy Jones’ favorite emotion, “laughter through tears.” The story concerns the trials and tribulations of six women who frequently congregate at Truvy’s beauty shop in a small Louisiana town. Truvy has just hired newcomer Annelle (Daryl Hannah), when Shelby (Julia Roberts, in an Oscar-nominated performance) comes in with her overprotective mother, M’Lynn (Sally Field) to get her hair done for her wedding. Rounding out the cast are the wealthy Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) and the cantankerous Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine). Dolly delivers sass and home truths effortlessly, fitting into her role as a big-hearted Southern woman who loves gossip and romance and who can “spot a bottle job at twenty paces.” And it’s hard not to smile when she advises, “There’s no such thing as natural beauty. It takes effort to look like this,” possibly acknowledging her own efforts with plastic surgery. But the real joy of Dolly’s performance is watching her bright side things — especially where there is bad news. Dolly’s upbeat disposition shines through in a role that fits her like a glove.
“What Will I Become?” (Oct. 16, 8:00 pm, BAM) is a life-affirming documentary by and about trans male youth, focusing on their mental health and the alarming statistic that 50.8% of trans male youth attempt suicide. Co-directors Lexie Bean and Logan Rozos ask each other, “What do you want to become?” before presenting two case studies of trans youth suicides. In North Carolina, Blake Brockington, seen in video footage, inspired others, but he also generated backlash when he ran for — and won — homecoming king in his high school. Blake also enjoyed playing rugby, saying it made him feel good and accepted, however, he was ultimately denied the opportunity to play because he was trans. In San Diego, the parents of Kyler Prescott cope with the aftermath of their son’s suicide, and address the issues they had with Kyler’s school, therapists, and hospitals who treated him poorly. One of the film’s most touching episodes is an animated sequence featuring one of Kyler’s poems being sung. “What Will I Become?” emphasizes that trans people are vulnerable, but not alone.
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The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are featured in Jennifer Kroot’s documentary.NewFest[/caption]
“Hunky Jesus” (Oct. 17 8:30 pm, SVA) is Jennifer Kroot’s celebratory documentary on the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who host an annual Easter event. Chronicling the 2023 contest in Dolores Park where the Sisters crown a Hunky Jesus and Foxy Mary, the film also charts the origins of the Sisters — activists who create joy and expiate stigmatic guilt, as well as raise money for charities and provide support for AIDS patients and organizations. While the Hunky Jesus event may be seen as blasphemous by some—and Kroot gives some screen time to the offended—the film shows the irreverence that answers the question, “What is sexy about Easter.” The interviews with co-hosts Sister Roma and Saint Honey Mahogany are amusing and the winner definitely deserved his crown.
“Out of the Woods” (Oct. 18, 4:00 pm, SVA) is writer/director Sal Bardo’s sincere drama about Max (Frances Fisher) reconnecting with her old friend Diana (Mimi Kennedy) after a long time apart. However, Max, who loved Diana, and saved all her letters, married Charlie (Bruce Davison), instead of following her heart. Now, facing mild cognitive impairment issues, Max wants to rekindle things with Diana, who drops by to smoke weed, or invites Max over to see her paintings. The women, who could have been together in the past, now must navigate the lives they have in the present and the ones they want moving forward. “Out of the Woods” is a thoughtful chamber drama, but there are a few too many pregnant pauses. Bardo also features a metaphor-heavy sequence of Max stuck in the woods. But there is a nice visual of images playing in the background when Max recalls a cherished memory and Fisher delivers a solid turn here. She also gets fine support from her co-stars, Kennedy and the underused Davison.
For tickets and more information, visit https://newfest.org/
“NewFest” Oct. 15-25 at various venues. https://newfest.org/
The romantic drama “Iván & Hadoum” will run on Oct. 16 at Newfest.NewFest[/caption]
“Iván & Hadoum” (Oct. 16, 8:45 pm, SVA) is a sweet romantic drama about the title characters, Iván (Silver), a trans man, and Hadoum (Herminia Loh Moreno), a Moor, in Spain. They work at the same vegetable packing plant, where Iván aspires to become a manager — to afford a new apartment for him and his cramped family — while the carefree Hadoum is a packer who moves from job to job. After they kiss on the beach one night, each insists they don’t want to fall in love, but they grow closer despite concerns from each of their families. Things come to a head when the plant they work for is being put up for sale and Iván is asked to keep Hadoum and her fellow packers from sabotaging an audit. “Iván & Hadoum” is a gentle drama that addresses negative attitudes towards trans people but also gives Iván his dignity. The film benefits from Silver’s assured performance and his chemistry with Herminia Loh Moreno is appealing. Viewers will want them to couple up against the odds.
“9 to 5” (Oct. 17, 2:00 pm BAM) will always be better known for Parton’s catchy, Oscar-nominated theme song than her first big screen appearance, but she still sparkles in this female empowerment comedy directed by the late out Colin Higgins. As Doralee Rhodes, the secretary to the “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” Franklin Hart, Jr. (Dabney Coleman), Parton knows how to handle her lecherous boss. Sure, she can overlook him deliberately knocking over his pencils to ogle her, but she is righteously angry to learn everyone in the office thinks she is his mistress. And when she does, Doralee threatens to get her gun and change Hart “from a rooster to a hen with one shot.” She is also unafraid to hogtie him — which she does in an act of revenge. "9 to 5" is played as broadly as its humor, but the film coasts along on the solid chemistry Parton has with her costars, the fabulous Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.
[caption id="attachment_65355" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Dolly’s upbeat disposition shines through in a role that fits her like a glove in “Steel Magnolias.”NewFest[/caption]
“Steel Magnolias” (Oct. 16, 5:00 pm, BAM) may be pure southern-fried cornpone, but this crowd-pleaser still manages to elicit Dolly’s character, Truvy Jones’ favorite emotion, “laughter through tears.” The story concerns the trials and tribulations of six women who frequently congregate at Truvy’s beauty shop in a small Louisiana town. Truvy has just hired newcomer Annelle (Daryl Hannah), when Shelby (Julia Roberts, in an Oscar-nominated performance) comes in with her overprotective mother, M’Lynn (Sally Field) to get her hair done for her wedding. Rounding out the cast are the wealthy Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) and the cantankerous Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine). Dolly delivers sass and home truths effortlessly, fitting into her role as a big-hearted Southern woman who loves gossip and romance and who can “spot a bottle job at twenty paces.” And it’s hard not to smile when she advises, “There’s no such thing as natural beauty. It takes effort to look like this,” possibly acknowledging her own efforts with plastic surgery. But the real joy of Dolly’s performance is watching her bright side things — especially where there is bad news. Dolly’s upbeat disposition shines through in a role that fits her like a glove.
“What Will I Become?” (Oct. 16, 8:00 pm, BAM) is a life-affirming documentary by and about trans male youth, focusing on their mental health and the alarming statistic that 50.8% of trans male youth attempt suicide. Co-directors Lexie Bean and Logan Rozos ask each other, “What do you want to become?” before presenting two case studies of trans youth suicides. In North Carolina, Blake Brockington, seen in video footage, inspired others, but he also generated backlash when he ran for — and won — homecoming king in his high school. Blake also enjoyed playing rugby, saying it made him feel good and accepted, however, he was ultimately denied the opportunity to play because he was trans. In San Diego, the parents of Kyler Prescott cope with the aftermath of their son’s suicide, and address the issues they had with Kyler’s school, therapists, and hospitals who treated him poorly. One of the film’s most touching episodes is an animated sequence featuring one of Kyler’s poems being sung. “What Will I Become?” emphasizes that trans people are vulnerable, but not alone.
[caption id="attachment_65354" align="aligncenter" width="700"] The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are featured in Jennifer Kroot’s documentary.NewFest[/caption]
“Hunky Jesus” (Oct. 17 8:30 pm, SVA) is Jennifer Kroot’s celebratory documentary on the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who host an annual Easter event. Chronicling the 2023 contest in Dolores Park where the Sisters crown a Hunky Jesus and Foxy Mary, the film also charts the origins of the Sisters — activists who create joy and expiate stigmatic guilt, as well as raise money for charities and provide support for AIDS patients and organizations. While the Hunky Jesus event may be seen as blasphemous by some—and Kroot gives some screen time to the offended—the film shows the irreverence that answers the question, “What is sexy about Easter.” The interviews with co-hosts Sister Roma and Saint Honey Mahogany are amusing and the winner definitely deserved his crown.
“Out of the Woods” (Oct. 18, 4:00 pm, SVA) is writer/director Sal Bardo’s sincere drama about Max (Frances Fisher) reconnecting with her old friend Diana (Mimi Kennedy) after a long time apart. However, Max, who loved Diana, and saved all her letters, married Charlie (Bruce Davison), instead of following her heart. Now, facing mild cognitive impairment issues, Max wants to rekindle things with Diana, who drops by to smoke weed, or invites Max over to see her paintings. The women, who could have been together in the past, now must navigate the lives they have in the present and the ones they want moving forward. “Out of the Woods” is a thoughtful chamber drama, but there are a few too many pregnant pauses. Bardo also features a metaphor-heavy sequence of Max stuck in the woods. But there is a nice visual of images playing in the background when Max recalls a cherished memory and Fisher delivers a solid turn here. She also gets fine support from her co-stars, Kennedy and the underused Davison.
For tickets and more information, visit https://newfest.org/
“NewFest” Oct. 15-25 at various venues. https://newfest.org/ 
