This weekend features Reeling 2007: the 26th Annual Chicago Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival. From comedies to documentaries to dramas, the pink carpet is rolling out for 11 days of nearly 70 amazing films from over 28 countries. Reeling is the second-oldest film festival of its kind in the U.S., showcasing the best gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender films every year.
Reeling is committed to celebrating an identity that is often misrepresented or ignored in mainstream film and television. This year⿿s presentation will include films from Jamie Babbit (But I⿿m A Cheerleader), Robert Gaston (Open Cam), and Casper Andreas (Slutty Summer), along with several features from up-and-coming filmmakers. A few highlights include:
Blueprint. Can you fall in love in one day? Two young African-American men make an unlikely couple⿿reserved college student Keith and street-smart Nathan⿿but find each other and themselves during a motorcycle road trip. Q&A session with the director and actors after the film. (Kirk Shannon-Butts, United States)
The Shadows. The stresses in horror novelist Stephen Grimes⿿ life have him at wit⿿s end when, on a late-night drive, he hits young Emmet and rushes him to the hospital. Via a hesitant friendship and heated affair with Emmet, Stephen finally starts living life to its fullest… but a sinister twist of fate is lurking in the shadows. Q&A session with the director after the film. (Guillermo R. Rodriguez, United States)
The Two Cubas and Voodoo Woman. In The Two Cubas, two gay close friends have grown up under Castro⿿s regime. What will happen to that friendship though when one of them decides to leave the country in search of a better life? In Voodoo Woman, director Carolina Valencia journeys to Cuba to consult with Voodoun priests about her own gender transformation, providing a compelling look at the country⿿s mysticism and religious practices. (Carolina Valencia, Canada)
Lez Be Friends. This off-the-wall homage to ⿿70s sitcoms puts an interesting twist on Three⿿s Company: butch lesbian Ricca must pretend to be straight in order to live with her two gay male roommates, dodging the fury of their lesbo-phobic landlord. Q&A session with the director after the film. (Glenn Gaylord, United States)
Vivere. On Christmas Eve, Francesca sets out in her cab to find her little sister, who has run off with her musician boyfriend. On the way, she picks up Gerlinde, a heartbroken older woman who has recently been scorned by her lesbian lover. The film becomes a stunning tale about dreams, desires, and perspective. (Angelina Maccarone, Germany)
Lesbian Documentary Shorts. Issues of female liberation, lesbian rights, and racism emerge in Krudas, an exploration of the lives and work of an interracial lesbian couple from Cuba. (Sandra Boero-Imwinkelried, Argentina/Cuba/France) A young woman comes to terms with her identity as sexuality and Mormonism intersect in her life in Tokens. (Julie Casper Roth, United States) In Freeheld, a terminally ill police officer fights for the right to transfer her pension to her domestic partner, flooding the town with controversy. (Cynthia Wade, United States)
Girls of the Midnight Sun. Katrin⿿s family doesn⿿t react quite the way she expects once she finally reveals her secret in Family Reunion. (Isold Uggadottir, Iceland) In Peace Talk, tomboy Jonna and best friend Emellie love to play at being soldiers… and lovers. (Jenifer Malmqvist, Sweden) The three women in Spinning find that a shower can be wet, intimate, and not-so-private. (Heidi Arnesen, Norway) Sixteen-year-old Eva falls in love with Inger, who unfortunately is her father⿿s new girlfriend in Heartcut. (Anne Sweitsky, Norway)
Socket. In this dark, sci-fi thriller, Doctor Bill Matthews isn⿿t quite himself after being hit by lightning. Through a friendly and handsome intern at the hospital, Bill finds a support group for lightning strike survivors, all with an insatiable appetite for electricity. Soon, the doctor finds his new addiction reaching dangerous levels. Q&A session with director and actor after the film. (Sean Abley, United States)
Funny Lingus. These nine short films will have you rolling with laughter as lesbians explore life⿿s big questions: What would life be like if heterosexuals were the minority? What is the protocol when competing for the same woman⿿s attention? What is official butch lesbian etiquette? Is Fat really where it⿿s at? (Various directors, Australia/United States/Canada)
The Gendercator Controversy. Examining gender and social norms, this film explores the terrifying possibilities as the religious right continues to force people into clear-cut gender boundaries. Afterward, panelists from a variety of disciplines and perspectives will discuss the film and controversy. (Catherine Crouch, United States)
Starrbooty. RuPaul in all her fabulousness stars in this outrageous comedy as Starrbooty, a supermodel/agency operative who must go undercover as a prostitute to save her kidnapped niece. Expect gratuitous hair and make-up. Q&A session with actor RuPaul after the film. (Mike Ruiz, United States)
Bears. Centering on the International Bear Rendezvous⿿ (IBR) Mr. Bear competition of 2004, the documentary provides a ⿿revealing⿿ look at the history and charm of this subculture, full of hairy, beefy gay men and their admirers. (Marc Klasfeld, United States)
Outing Riley. Filmed right here in Chicago, this comedy looks at what happens when Bobby, the youngest of four Irish-Catholic brothers, finally tells his brothers that he⿿s gay. Bobby soon finds out though that he⿿s not the only one who⿿s been hiding something. (Pete Jones, United States)
Nina⿿s Heavenly Delights. Nina Shah, a beautiful Indo-Scottish chef, returns home to run her family⿿s restaurant after her father passes away. She encounters plenty of heat, both in and out of the kitchen, when she encounters her new business partner, Lisa. (Pratibha Parmar, United Kingdom)
Straight But Seductive. A selection of short films featuring straight men who learn a little about themselves via their gay counterparts. (Various directors, United Kingdom/Bahamas/Germany)
The Festival runs through November 18. For a full list of titles, times, locations, and tickets, check out http://www.reelingfilmfestival.org/
Photo credit: Reeling 2007
