Category Archives: Film

  Alternative, Film, News and Happenings

KalaKranti 2011 Queer South Asians June 4th


KalaKranti :

A festival of
queer South
Asian short film


Saturday June 4,
12pm – 5pm

Columbia College
 Film Row Cinema
1104 S. Wabash, 8th fl.
Chicago IL


Trikone-Chicago presents its annual arts festival: KalaKranti. This year we feature short films by and about queer South Asians.

Filmmakers hail from the U.S, Canada, and India, we include fiction, experimental, and documentary films, and content covers migration, race, online dating, Bollywood, gender identity, HIV, family, beauty pageants, sex work, rural life, and polyamory.

This is a unique opportunity to witness an incredibly eclectic range of aesthetics and images.


Co-presented with Columbia College’s Center for Asian Arts and Media & Kashish – Mumbai’s Queer International Film Festival


Trikonechicago.org


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  Alternative, Film, FREE, News and Happenings, Special Events, Transgender, Youth

Cinema Q – Free LGBT Films On Wednesdays

  The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Queer Film Society, the Center on Halsted, and Chicago Filmmakers

presents Cinema Q,

a new film series celebrating outstanding LGBT movies made in Chicago.

The free screenings will take place on four Wednesdays: March 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 2011 in the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater. All screenings will feature a discussion and Q&A following the film. Films contain mature subject matter. Viewer discretion advised.



Wednesday, March 16


Quearborn & Perversion (2007): Join filmmaker Ron Pajak for a screening and discussion of his documentary about the history of gay and lesbian culture in Chicago.



Wednesday, March 23


Go Fish (1994):  Rose Troche’s shot-in-Chicago lesbian romance has become an indie classic!  Also showing, never before seen outtakes from Fish Out of Water, the acclaimed 2009 documentary that explores the relationship between homosexuality and the Bible, with filmmaker Ky Dickens in person!



Wednesday, March 30


JoJo Baby (2010):  The Clive Barker executive produced documentary portrait of artist and Chicago nightclub legend JoJo Baby, with JoJo in person!  Also showing, Peter Neville’s music videos of local gender bending rock-n-roll group The Joans with Peter Neville in person!



Wednesday, April 6


Were the World Mine (2008):  The award winning gay musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,” with local cast and crewmembers in person! Followed by a complimentary dessert reception in the G.A.R. Rotunda (courtesy of J & L Catering)

ALL  SHOWS  at  6:30        ALL SHOWS  ARE FREE
Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater   78  E.  Washington


BestGayChicago.com

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  Alternative, Film, News and Happenings

William S. Burroughs A MAN WITHIN opens at Music Box January 21st

 



 Jonathan “Yony” Leyser is a  25-year-old filmmaker and photographer, from Chicago, who’s been kicked out of two art schools!

With help from Burroughs editor and executor James Grauerholz, Leyser has interviewed more than 100 friends, associates, and admirers of the writer, including John Waters, Gus Van Sant, Iggy Pop, Laurie Anderson, Jello Biafra, Amiri Baraka, and a poisonous snake collector named Dean Ripa. The result is a brilliant documentary and it will debut in Chicago at the Music Box, January 21st.


Leyser’s William S. Burroughs: A Man Within is the first full-length documentary to look at the entire life of the Beat and punk icon, author of Junky, Queer, and Naked Lunch. “I’m trying to figure out who the man was behind the persona, behind the monster,” Leyser says. “He opened up queer and junkie culture and new avenues of thinking, but in his personal life he really struggled. You see through the interviews a deeply tortured man, who spoke openly about queer things yet couldn’t bear to be in a relationship.”




“My respect for Burroughs, the queer icon, is equal to my respect for him as a literary artist, a counterculture superstar and a rabble-rouser par excellence,” Leyser says. “His being queer was only one of many ways in which his proclivity to spit in the face of religious, conservative, thoughtless moral judgments attracted me.”

The film has already ganered lots of attention at film festivals around the world, and we are excited to see it coming to Chicago this month!


William S. Burrounghs   A MAN WITHIN
Opens January 21st  @    Music Box    3733 N. Southport Ave.



 Best Gay Chicago.com

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  Film, FREE, Youth

Chicago LGBT Youth Homeless – FREE Movie TONIGHT

This evening, MONDAY,
January 10th   at 7:00 P.M.,
join Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and the DePaul A.V. Club for our screening of “Turning the Corner,” an eye-opening documentary about homelessness in Chicago.

The A.V. Club will provide FREE FOOD (but we encourage you to bring some to share as well) and will be lucky enough after the presentation to hear from two inspiring women who survived homelessness and the sex trade in Chicago.

We will also be joined by members of the Video Action League, who will briefly present an exciting project they are working on “Facing Up to Queer Youth Homelessness.” Interested in getting involved? Look them up at Facebook at: http://on.fb.me/hKgCvf

The screening will take place in Room 220 of the Student Center, which is also known as the glass room inside the cafeteria. Admission is free and open to non-students, faculty and whomever would like to join us.

So, spread the word, bring friends, bring your student group and prepare to get inspired.

2250 N. Sheffield, Lincoln Park Student Center, Room 220
(the glass room inside the cafeteria)     7-9pm



Best Gay Chicago.com

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  Film, News and Happenings

HOT MOVIE pics from the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Fest, REELING

BESIDES  AMPHETAMINE ,
 which we are sponsoring  
Saturday  night, 
there are a few more films that I
think are  MUST-SEE’s
 this season at REELING !

IS IT JUST ME?  
Sunday Nov 7th at  5:15

One of the funniest and sweetest gay romantic comedies in years, Is It Just Me? delivers a refreshingly witty take on one gay boy’s search for Mr. Right. Cute, but unaware of his adorableness, newspaper columnist Blaine can’t seem to meet guys, let alone form a relationship.

His beefy go-go boy roommate Cameron—who has no shortage of willing partners—can’t understand why he doesn’t pounce and enjoy some one-nighters. Instead, Blaine hides in his room and searches Internet chat rooms for a kindred spirit. He may have found one in the form of Xander, a shy, recently relocated Texan. But when the time comes to exchange photos, Blaine accidentally sends an image of his hunky roommate, and things go from romantically promising to uproariously confusing. This case of mistaken identity escalates when Blaine begs his roommate to go out with the charming, sandy-haired Xander. When it seems they hit it off, our lonely hero feels love has passed him by again…or has it? Think Cyrano de Bergerac by way of Eating Out: writer/director JC Calciano’s first feature film is a hilarious, captivating winner. And the hot guys aren’t bad either!

 

VIOLET TENDENCIES
Sunday Nov. 7th at  9:15

 

She’s Manhattan’s most fabulous fruit fly! At nearly 40, Violet (Mindy Cohn from The Facts of Life) is the racy, fun-loving belle of the gay ball. She spends her nights as royalty, but when the party ends she always heads home alone. Says Mindy, “I was a fag-hag from a very young age!”

While Riley, her co-worker, struggles with his baby-crazy boyfriend Markus (Casper Andreas), Violet’s romantic life is nonexistent. How can she keep hoping to find a straight man in a gay bar? Realizing she’s at a certain age and still single, Violet is at a crossroads.

In the fast-paced world of high fashion PR, Riley tells her she needs only to seek out a straight male version of herself—the mythical ‘Fag Stag.’ But the glamorous guru Salome gives her conflicting advice: to nab a man, she insists, Violet must abandon her gay boys once and for all.

When Violet arrives home from yet another disastrous date to find that a gay sex party has been organized in her bedroom, she decides Salome may be right. In order to get a prized man of her own, Violet strikes out on a hilarious quest to change the woman she is. Chasing love at all costs, she may find it in the most unlikely of places.

JESSE ARCHER wrote the screenplay and co-stars in the film. He says, “As a child star of the 80’s, I saw the bubbly Mindy, which made me think she would be one of those girls sticking up for me for being bullied at school. I modeled Violet after her.”

Sidenote –  this is one of those movies that is getting great reviews, but has not gotten a distributorship yet. So it could be a couple years before it comes to NETFLIX. See it now, while you can!

 

Sure to sell out early!

I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS!
Wednesday, Nov 10th 9pm.

This movie has been in legal limbo for a year! The highly anticipated film finally hit’s theatres and is also available right now on DVD. Movie – I Love You Phillip Morris

Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) has a quiet life—he’s a Texan police officer, active member of his church, and attentive husband. Ugh, how dreadfully boring!

Thank goodness Steven finds himself in an atrocious car accident that not only rips his life wide open, but propels him out of the closet and into the gay Mecca of the south: Miami. As he revels in the golden luxuries and bronzed male bodies of his new life, the cost of maintaining it soon catches up with him. To support the lifestyle to which he’s so quickly become accustomed, charming Steven turns to cons and lands himself in jail.

Luckily, adorable Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor) is his cellmate and the two fall in love. Like, immediately. But when Steven has to remain locked in the pen after Phillip is paroled, he breaks free again and again to find his way to the man he loves… using every method imaginable. Theirs is the kind of love that can’t be contained by cinderblocks and metal bars! From directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (Bad Santa), I Love You Phillip Morris is a hysterical comedy, grounded in an emotionally honest (and true!) love story.

Check out Reeling  for more movies and more details!

Best Gay Chicago.com

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  Film, News and Happenings

Best Gay Chicago.com is Sponsoring AMPHETAMINE Saturday Nov. 6th at Landmark Cinema

Visually stunning and emotionally potent,
Amphetamine is an electric rush
of beautiful men, bad boys and bright lights.

Kinetic and vivid, this film tells the story of Kafka, a smooth-bodied swim instructor struggling to stay ahead in Hong Kong. His mother’s health is failing, his father is nowhere to be found, his relationship with his girlfriend is tumultuous, and the only thing he shares with his brother is a powerful affinity for amphetamines.

Ricocheting through the neon metropolis on his brilliant yellow motorcycle, Kafka repeatedly encounters Daniel, a rich, successful, and gorgeous businessman who vigorously pursues him. Attracted to the danger and power they see in each other, Kafka and Daniel form a wild friendship. Their urban adventures draw them closer to one another, and their relationship begins to form a tentative, yet super-charged, romance.

As with drugs, Kafka becomes addicted to Daniel’s love, which hurtles him into a spiral of sexual confliction and fury. This sensual, adrenaline-filled drama goes beyond the traditional definitions of love and sexuality, and explores what happens when the desires of your heart don’t match those of your body.

Amphetamine  (watch the movie trailer !)

Scud (Hong Kong, 2010, 97 min.)         In Cantonese, with English subtitles
Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema (Theater 7)    2828 N Clark St

  Saturday, November 6, 2010       9:15 PM 

ADVANCE TICKETS are available now  – 
If available, tickets can be purchased at the door. But this is expected to SELL  OUT!

Best Gay Chicago.com

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  Film, News and Happenings

REELING Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Chicago November 4-13th

REELING 
Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
kicks off this week on November 4th running thru the 13th. It is is the second oldest film festival of its kind in the US, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBT films and videos each and every year.

From award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts, Reeling has always presented a range of genres that demonstrate the rich diversity of work being produced. Not only has Reeling become one of the most important cultural events for Chicagoans, it also attracts LGBT people from throughout the Midwest who consider the festival to be the highlight of their cinematic year.
Reeling 2010 is presenting 54 programs over 10 days.

Film Schedule

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Opening Night! Children of God
Location: ShowPlace ICON
Time: 7:00 PM

Friday, November 5, 2010

The Stranger In Us
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:00 PM

The Men in the Mirror
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:15 PM

Elena Undone
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:30 PM

Glitter & Guts
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:45 PM

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Gen Silent
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 12:00 PM

Grown Up Movie Star
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 12:15 PM

Lost in the Crowd
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 1:45 PM

Role/Play
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 2:30 PM

Over the Moon, Also Showing “Hens and Chicks”
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 3:30 PM

JoJo Baby
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 5:00 PM

Kill the Habit
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 5:15 PM

I Killed My Mother (J’ai Tué Ma Mere)
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:15 PM

The Four-Faced Liar
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:30 PM

Amphetamine
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:15 PM

Eloïse’s Lover
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:30 PM

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 1:00 PM

Love is a Battlefield
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 1:15 PM

The String (Le Fil)
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 3:00 PM

Mother Earth (Tierra Madre), Also Showing “NU2”
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 3:15 PM

Is It Just Me?
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 5:15 PM

Young & Sapphic
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 5:30 PM

Strapped
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:15 PM

Fighting for “I Do”
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:30 PM

Violet Tendencies
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:15 PM

Bloomington
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:30 PM

Monday, November 8, 2010

The Adults in the Room
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:00 PM

Her Beautiful Disaster
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:15 PM

From Beginning to End (Do Começo ao Fim)
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:00 PM

Goodbye My Lover
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:15 PM

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

A Marine Story
Centerpiece Film!
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:00 PM

Rock Hudson: Dark and Handsome Stranger
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:15 PM

Fantasy Man
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:15 PM

Handsome Harry
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:30 PM

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Going South (Plein Sud)
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:00 PM

The Fish Child (El Niño Pez)
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:15 PM

I Love You Phillip Morris
Centerpiece Film!
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:00 PM

Eyes Wide Open (Einayim Petukhoth)
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:15 PM

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Flight of the Cardinal
Centerpiece Film!
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:00 PM

You Will Be Mine (Je Te Mangerais)
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 7:15 PM

Dearest Mother (Madre Amadísima)
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:15 PM

Leading Ladies
Location: Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema
Time: 9:30 PM

Friday, November 12, 2010

The Last Summer of La Boyita (El Último Verano de la Boyita)
Location: Instituto Cervantes
Time: 6:00 PM

Other Nature (Tritiya Prakriti), Also Showing “Nobody Passes Perfectly”
Location: Chicago Filmmakers
Time: 7:00 PM

Plan B
Location: Instituto Cervantes
Time: 9:00 PM

Fit
Location: Chicago Filmmakers
Time: 9:15 PM

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Our Gender Identities
Location: Film Row Cinema – Columbia College Chicago
Time: 12:00 PM

Destination: Unknown
Location: Film Row Cinema – Columbia College Chicago
Time: 1:45 PM

The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls
Location: Film Row Cinema – Columbia College Chicago
Time: 3:30 PM

Holding Hands
Location: Chicago Filmmakers
Time: 3:30 PM

The Game of Juan’s Life (Ang Laro Ng Buhay Ni Juan)
Location: Film Row Cinema – Columbia College Chicago
Time: 5:15 PM

Across Lesbian Borders
Location: Chicago Filmmakers
Time: 5:15 PM

The Owls, Also Showing “Chained!”
Location: Film Row Cinema – Columbia College Chicago
Time: 6:45 PM

Closing Night! Undertow (Contracorriente)
Location: Instituto Cervantes
Time: 7:00 PM

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  Film, FREE

Free Movie Tickets for I Love You Phillip Morris


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  Alternative, Celebrity, Film

Mink Stole at the Chicago Premiere ALL ABOUT EVIL August 14th

Is Chicago Ready To Experience
The Whirlwind Entertainment of
 ALL   ABOUT   EVIL:

The Peaches Christ Experience in 4-D!
With Peaches Christ and Mink Stole  In-Person

Peaches Christ Productions is proud to announce the CHICAGO premiere of “ALL ABOUT EVIL: The Peaches Christ Experience in 4-D. Directed by Joshua Grannell, the alter-ego of San Francisco drag sensation Peaches Christ, this very special extravaganza will include a special appearance with MINK STOLE (Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom) and musically, macabre performances from Peaches Christ and the Midnight Mass Players. The magic begins at 12 midnight with tickets for only $13 and on-sale now at the links above.

CHICAGO PREMIERE
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Music Box Theatre: 3733 N. Southport Ave.
Tickets: $13 Show time: 12:00 a.m.
ADVANCE TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

ALL ABOUT EVIL is currently touring across the country, invading over 20 markets with over-the-top, “William Castle-styled” presentations and gathering rabid support from audiences hungry to experience a unique EVIL mash-up of cinema and performance. The genre-bending film, starring Natasha Lyonne and featuring Thomas Dekker, Cassandra “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark” Peterson and Mink Stole of John Waters fame, has slayed audiences with sold out screenings in Los Angeles at the Vista Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, and Provincetown International Film Festival…and it’s just the beginning of the tour.

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  Celebrity, Film, News and Happenings

Chicago Filmmaker Yony Leyser Premieres Burroughs Film at CIMM FEST March 4th!


WE ARE SO EXCITED!

We just got news  today,
 that  YONY  LEYSER’S  
BURROUGHS  FILM 
WILL  PREMIERE  IN 
CHICAGO THIS WEEK
at the CIMM  FESTIVAL!

We were just talking at
CIMM Fest the other day!

And Yony’s much talked-about, highly-anticipated  film about  William S. Burroughs premiered at  SLAMDANCE  last month.

Thursday  March  4th, see it in Chicago!
Opening Night at CIMM Fest!


7-9pm
Naked Lunch from Austria
(live band to weird experimental film)

9-11 William S. Burroughs:
 A Man Within and Q&A
with Yony!

But wait – there’s more~!



11-11:30 Warhol superstar     Penny Arcade

11:30 Thee Majesty!


Don’t miss this!    Free beer with  $20  admission – buy tickets in advance – this is sure to sell out!
Included with your ticket price is a one-year subscription to Time Out Chicago.


St. Paul Cultural Center      2215 W. North Ave.        Chicago, IL 60647

FYI –  PENNY ARCADE will also be making an appearance at QUIMBYS, on March 3rd.
Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave., Chicago


The Best of Gay Chicago








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  Celebrity, Film, News and Happenings

Chicago Filmmaker Yony Leyser Premieres Burroughs Film at CIMM FEST March 4th!


WE ARE SO EXCITED!

We just got news  today,
 that  YONY  LEYSER’S  
BURROUGHS  FILM 
WILL  PREMIERE  IN 
CHICAGO THIS WEEK
at the CIMM  FESTIVAL!

We were just talking at
CIMM Fest the other day!

And Yony’s much talked-about, highly-anticipated  film about  William S. Burroughs premiered at  SLAMDANCE  last month.

Thursday  March  4th, see it in Chicago!
Opening Night at CIMM Fest!


7-9pm
Naked Lunch from Austria
(live band to weird experimental film)

9-11 William S. Burroughs:
 A Man Within and Q&A
with Yony!

But wait – there’s more~!



11-11:30 Warhol superstar     Penny Arcade

11:30 Thee Majesty!


Don’t miss this!    Free beer with  $20  admission – buy tickets in advance – this is sure to sell out!
Included with your ticket price is a one-year subscription to Time Out Chicago.


St. Paul Cultural Center      2215 W. North Ave.        Chicago, IL 60647

FYI –  PENNY ARCADE will also be making an appearance at QUIMBYS, on March 3rd.
Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave., Chicago


The Best of Gay Chicago








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  Film, Music, News and Happenings

SISSYBOY Comes to CIMM Fest 2010




The Chicago International Movies and Music Festival, CIMM  FEST,  celebrated its inaugural year with huge press coverage, special guests from all over the globe, an opening night party that included Lech Kowalski’s world premiere event Camera War, photographer Richard Bellia’s first show in the US and much much more.  If there were any reservations the staff had leading up to the opening weekend last year, 15,000 attendees ended that pretty quickly.  Chicago wanted this thing from the start with the Department of Cultural affairs as presenting sponsor and many other fantastic sponsors like Earhole Studios, Reckless Records, and Starbucks helping the first year to be much more than could have ever been expected.

As a film festival created by filmmakers and musicians, CIMMfest showcases visionaries and innovative works that unify us in ways that only movies and music can. Cimm Fest 2010 takes place  March  4 – 7th.


A couple of artists will be of interest to the LGBT community.  SISSYBOY. 
“Provocative, political, and often in poor taste, Portland’s unclassifiable Sissyboy drag troupe raised eyebrows and hackles for three years before disbanding, its members scattering across the country. No topic, from abortion to Matthew Shepard, was off-limits, and first-time filmmaker Katie Turinski followed them through their last year together, documenting the troupe’s tour of the West Coast. This is not your father’s drag show.”

SISSYBOY has been around since July of 2004. SISSYBOY is a punk rock, back-hand slap in the face, explosive reaction to the ever prevalent need to bend gender roles until they break. Taking the torch from our sisters before us, SISSYBOY has transcended traditional drag by welcoming all gender queer and radical thinkers into a world where anything and everything goes. No longer hiding their complex sexual identities behind the make-up; SISSYBOYs radiate their energy as vulnerable men, fierce women and sadistic shamans, working out our demons on stage.





Theatrically, SISSYBOY is a monthly drag experience of hairspray, duct tape, eyelash adhesive, and stage vomit–all safety-pinned into an unforgetably glamorous show. Tied together by common threads, SISSYBOYs are a progressive drag ensemble, who are at the forefront of the current cultural revolution–entertaining and enlightening their audience while bridging the gap between conventional and unconventional gender roles. They are basically gay white trash who don’t fit into the “normal” gay stereotypes!

Watch the SISSYBOY movie trailer.
Sissyboy will be at  BERLIN  March 5th, 954 W. Belmont
Movie Showing:  Sat. March 6th, 4:30pm,  St Paul’s Cultural Center
2215  W.  North  Ave., Chicago    BUY TICKETS ONLINE


Thee Majesty featuring Genesis Breyer P-Orridge (formerly of Throbbing Gristle) is another of gay interest.  “Thee Majesty began in 1998 as a spoken word project, originally founded by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge of Psychic TV and Bryin Dall of 4th Sign of the Apocalypse, A Murder of Angels and Dream Into Dust. Featuring P-Orridge, Thee Majesty is made up of a revolving group of members including Morrison Edley of PTV3 and The Toilet Boys. Thee Majesty’s music is a mix of spoken word performance art against Dall’s free-flowing guitar rhythms.

LIVE PERFORMANCES by Thee Majesty are uncommon, but CIMMfest will be host to a special OPENING NIGHT presentation, following the  Chicago premiere of as yet to be disclosed documentary, featuring Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, who  also appears in conjunction with Marie Losier’s screening of Papal Broken-Dance.”

Thursday March 4, 7:00pm
St Paul’s Cultural Center  BUY TICKETS ONLINE


THE  BEST OF GAY CHICAGO

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  Celebrity, Film

Eduardo Sanchez: Reaching for Seventh Moon with Blair Witch’s Passionate Creator… By Guest Writer Brian Kirst


Co-Director and Writer of
BLAIR WITCH PROJECT,

Eduardo Sanchez will be appearing at Movieside Film Festival’s Terror in the Aisles 3 in Chicago on Saturday, Dec 5th at 7PM at The Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue along with writer/director ‘Night of the Creeps’  Fred Dekker.
 


This week, our guest  writer    Brian Kirst caught up with Sanchez who shared his thoughts  about  the Blair Witch Project and reflects on his other projects….


“Blair Witch gave me a career. I could buy a house, a car. And as for making films, it gives me a reputation that sets me above the average person,” the down to earth Eduardo Sanchez (co-creator of the phenomenon known as The Blair Witch Project, now celebrating its ten year anniversary) gratefully  explains. “It’s a recognizable brand for the rest of my life.”


 


“That movie was so huge,” he continues, “It was like hitting a grand slam the first time at bat – the stars couldn’t have aligned any more. But, we are mortal filmmakers. I’m not going to make a Blair Witch every time. I got lucky and made it once!”

 


As for the reaction to his follow-up films, Altered and Seventh Moon, the realistic Sanchez states, “It’s not only public opinion – it’s my own. I put as much energy into those films as Blair Witch – I’m always trying to make a great film so I can’t help but be disappointed when they go straight to DVD. Still, I am as excited about movies as I’ve ever been – and I’m trying to find out where I belong. Am I going to make movies that come out in theaters? – I’m fine being a modest film maker. – I know people really hate my films or love my films. But – most movies are like that. No movie is everything to everyone. But a bad review – even if it’s some punk-ass 14 year old kid blogging – still bugs the crap out of me – even though I know it’s ridiculous.”


But despite any negative reaction, Sanchez provides, “I’ve only done three films. One was the biggest success (Blair Witch), one was not the biggest success (Altered) and one – who knows what will happen (Seventh Moon)?  So, I say let’s keep batting! I’ve gotta keep making films that excite me. When I’m not excited anymore – then I can hang it up. As long as I can keep the energy – that’s all I can do!”


And that Sanchez brand of energy has truly produced some remarkable scares since Blair Witch’s heyday. Altered provides an intense psychological sci-fi gore show (although the studio, wanting a Hostel-Saw combination, initially shelved it) and Sanchez asserts, “It’s the exact movie I wanted to make. I loved the idea of the initial script called Probe and it’s slowly building an audience. It’s still making money.”


Meanwhile, Seventh Moon, recently debuted to much publicity and praise and the proud Sanchez recalls, “Seventh Moon was an experiment. I worked one of the cameras for the first time since film school. I developed a feel for what the movie was supposed to be like and was able to do it. I decided I was going to make a movie that scares people in a few places. I probably went too deep into Hell due to some reactions, actually. It’s one night of Hell for this couple and what it does for them”


What lead Amy Smart did, though, was make a true fan out of Sanchez. “Amy was cool – is one of those people that is just a pro. She turns it on! She’s Amy Smart – all bubbly and cool – and then I yell action and she is all terrified and in it. I would love to work with her again.”


Until that time, Sanchez is definitely keeping his plate full. “Jamie Nash is my favorite collaborator and we’re doing a second season of the online series ParaAbnormal and we’re working on a film called Possession. With that, I am going back to first person cinema. It’s low budget, probably under half a million, and I’m very excited about it.”


Of course, not nearly as excited as the many fans that can’t wait to see what other dark spaces the deep and provocative Sanchez’s mind will take them in to.



Don’t miss this weekends  event!

Films shown will be the unrated director’s cut of Dekker’s Night of the Creeps, the original 1974 slasher classic, Black Christmas and celebrating its 10th anniversary, and Sanchez’s Blair Witch Project. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased  at the door or    online at Brown Paper Tickets !  

More  info on MySpace and  also  at  Best Gay Chicago.



PLEASE NOTE:  The appearance of any person or business on this site,
is not to be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or businesses.



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  Film, News and Happenings

Terror in the Aisles – Attention Scarey Movie Fans December 5th


JUST A WEEK  AWAY!

Do you like horror movies
and scarey movies?

From the people who bring us 
MASSACRE AT THE MUSIC  BOX…

now comes

TERROR IN THE AISLES 3


$12 for a Night of Totally Terrifying films, music, vendor tables, vintage movie trailers, prizes, surprises and more!!!

Dec. 5, 2009
Portage Theater
4050 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
1.773.736.4050
Doors open at 7pm.

THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
(10th Anniversary!)
with director Eduardo Sanchez
 in person!

NIGHT OF THE CREEPS
(director’s cut)
with director FRED DEKKER
in Person!

BLACK CHRISTMAS
Bob Clark’s legendary holiday slasher classic!


Special Guest WENDY ROBIE
(star of People Under The Stairs & Twin Peaks)
Reads Edgar Allan Poe for Poe’s Bicentennial Birthday Celebration!

Short films include:
TREEVENGE (A Chilling Tale of Christmas Gone Wrong!)
CHEMICAL 12-D (Moral Confusion After a Zombie Apocalypse!)

Bands:      My Damn Butterfly     Modern Day Rippers
For more info online at MOVIE SIDE FESTIVAL or   Portage Theater

Terror in the Aisles on FaceBook!

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  Event Photos, Film

Reeling Festival Closes with OY VEY, MY SON IS GAY! Hit Movie and Party with Director Evgeny Afineevsky and Jai Rodriquez and Steve Kmetko



Last night was the closing film and party for the Reeling 28 – The Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
This years season was a smashing success!  150 films were showcased over 10 days.  Innovative gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender films from countries as diverse as the Philippines, Sweden, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Reeling continues to demonstrate the expanding breadth of gay-themed work being produced today by showcasing films representing multi-cultural perspectives and in genres ranging from musical comedy to horror to serious drama to compelling documentaries to introspective experimental, and more. Over 100  filmmakers and talent made appearances throughout the 10 days as well. 

The closing film  was  OY VEY, MY SON IS GAY!  A  hilarious comedy starring  the Mom of all Moms, Lainie Kazan! It is the story of the Hirsch’s, a Jewish family living in the North Shore of Long Island, where every Friday night Shirley Hirsch (Lainie Kazan) invites another “perfect” girl for Shabbat dinner in hopes that her son, Nelson (John Lloyd Young), will marry a nice Jewish girl. When Shirley and Martin (Saul Rubinek) once again set him up on a date, Nelson reveals that he is already seeing someone. Shirley and Martin are thrilled and can’t wait to meet the lucky lady. Turns out their is no “lucky lady”  but  instead,  a  “lucky guy”.




The movie also features a star-studded cast that includes, among others, Jai Rodriquez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy – and also recording artist with a new album out!), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), comedian Bruce Vilanch, and Carmen Electra. It is a must see and something families will get a kick out of too!




Director Evgeny Afineevsky and Jai Rodriquez were at the film and the after-party, along with now Chicago resident Steve Kmetko, which took  place at  beautiful Architectural Artifacts. Many party people in attendance had a great time thanks in part  to the many foods sponsors kindly donated and to the Vodka creations of SKYY INFUSIONS, Vodka infused with real fruit taste!

SKYY  created  a  special  drink just for the Reeling Festival. Get the recipe  on  Best  Gay  Chicago.












See more  photos online from the Chicago Premiere.
See more  photos online of the LA Premiere of OY VEY, MY SON IS GAY.



Best Gay Chicago

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  Benefits, Culture, Film, Theater in Chicago

SKYY VODKA and Chicago’s REELING Gay Lesbian Film Festival


The  28th REELING Gay Lesbian Film Festival   in  Chicago is off and running this week! The opening night film and Gala were a blast! And many shows and Galas are starting to sell out!

IMPORTANT UPDATE about the FISH OUT OF WATER AFTER-PARTY – Sunday  November 8th!!    Due to the overwhelming demand for Fish Out of Water After-Party tickets, the party has moved to a bigger space and changed the venue to Skybar, 2242 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets previously sold out online for this event, HOWEVER, they are  now releasing additional after-party tickets. Snag them while they’re still available! (Note: Film-Only Fish Out of Water tickets remain available for purchase, as well.)


Reeling will close on a high note on Sunday, November 15th at Music Box Theatre with the 7:30 pm Closing Night screening of Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!!, featuring a star-studded cast that includes, among others, Lainie Kazan (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Jai Rodriquez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), comedian Bruce Vilanch, and Carmen Electra!!!

Director Evgeny Afineevsky and Jai Rodriquez are scheduled to appear at the screening and after-party, which will take place at Architectural Artifacts. (4325 N. Ravenswood).

 


SKYY  VODKA  is  a  proud sponsor of this years  REELING   Gay/Lesbian Festival. And they have created a special drink which will be available at the Gala’s and you can also make it at home, of course.

Here’s  the  recipe –

The Reeling Passion

2 oz SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
2 Lemon Quarters
1 oz Simple Syrup
 
Muddle the lemon quarters with the simple syrup until all the juice is extracted out of the fruit. 
Add the SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit and top with ice. 
Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with lemon twist.


See you at the movies this week!



SKYY VODKA

REELING FESTIVAL tickets and information


BEST  GAY  CHICAGO

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  Film, Special Events, Theater in Chicago

MR RIGHT – Monday, November 9th Landmark Theatres on Clark


REELING  FILM  FESTIVAL 
and  BEST  GAY  CHICAGO  PRESENT….

Jacqui Morris’ directorial debut, ‘Mr. Right’ — an ensemble piece following the lives of several gay Londoners.

The film starts off rough with a narration from jilted fag hag, Louise. Her role is mainly to drop sassy one liners much like you’d expect from a gay character in a straight film.


And perhaps that’s the film’s strength. Morris explains she wanted to make a gay movie for the “mainstream.”


Despite the familiar gay characters (Alex is an aspiring actor/waiter, Lawrence is a soap-star, Tom is the self-deprecating artist, and Lars is the narcissistic muscle boy), ‘Mr. Right’ depicts these men with intellect and wit — minus the campiness and lisps you might expect.


Most interesting is the emergence of a new gay character archetype: the single dad, William. We watch him struggle to raise a “normal” 9-year old child, while he fights fears of being alone. William is both an ex-Rugby player and antique collector, which makes for a refreshing and unexpected combination.


The film was made on a shoe string budget, but the quality doesn’t suffer. For example, the soundtrack features The Gossip and Rufus Wainright, courtesy of a very generous Universal Music. And even more impressive is the discovery that the entire movie was shot hand held and on tape (which is cheaper than digital). All this combined with the help of the local community in London’s gay SoHo district (many shops, bars, and clubs donated locations and support) turn what might have been a low budget mess into a solid, rarely-seen portrayal of modern gay life.





I hope you can you join us!  

Tickets   $10

MONDAY, NOVEMBER  9th,

9pm  LANDMARK  THEATRES. 

2828 N. Clark.

Read More about MR RIGHT and Watch a Movie Clip!

 Advance sales are available until the day before the show. After that, tickets must be purchased at the theater box office on the day of the screening.        Online:  Tickets available 24/7 through Tix.com

 


Walk up ticket sales in Andersonville:  at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St.
Monday-Friday 10:00 am-6:00pm;


The   Best  of  Gay  Chicago

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