LGBT Filmmakers '11 Part #2

In the conclusion of our audio series with LGBT Filmmakers, Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, Host of OUTTAKE VOICES™, talks with the filmmakers about their films that appeared at the Boston LGBT Film Festival that ran May 5th through May 15th. We also had the opportunity to talk to the filmmakers about their personal commitment to LGBT Civil Rights. Alexia Kosmider talks about of her documentary "Sappho's Fire" that’s made its World Premiere Saturday May 14th at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. “Sappho's Fire” provides insight about aging by following the stories of older lesbians who live in New England. Viewers come to understand the deep-seated and often impenetrable fears of growing older without the certainties of family support or sufficient economical investment to obtain an appropriate retirement. What emerges are the myriad philosophies and strategies that these lesbians have developed for facing the inevitable end of one's journey and approaching this stage with wisdom and vitality that takes one's breath away. Writer/Producer Carlos Pedraza discusses his feature film “Judas Kiss” that was presented on May 14th at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge. Failed filmmaker Zachary Wells is convinced by his friend, hotshot director Topher Shadoe, to replace him as a judge in Keystone University’s annual film festival. His first night, Zach hooks up with a student at a bar. He’s shocked the next morning when the same student walks into an interview calling himself Danny Reyes the name Zach went by when he attended Keystone. The film deals with what could have been, where he is now and taking charge of his future. Gay Ally Rashaad Green talks about his film "Gun Hill Road," that was shown on Sunday, May 15th at the MFA. Based on personal family member’s experiences his film is about macho Enrique (Esai Morales) returning home to the Bronx after three years in prison and finds things changed. His wife, Angela (Judy Reyes), is distant and his teenage son, Michael, has come out as Vanessa, a transgender woman. Unable to accept his child for who she is now, Enrique clings to his masculine ideals while Angela attempts to hold the family together by fiercely protecting Vanessa. This is Writer/Director Rashaad Ernesto Green’s first feature film and told with gentle humor, sensitivity and a deep understanding of the environment that defines its inhabitants. Filmmaker Marc Smolowitz shares his excitement about the World Premiere of his remarkable film “Still Around” on Sunday May 15th at     The Brattle Theatre, Cambridge. This is a collaborate effort of filmmakers which includes 15 films that speak about living and thriving with HIV/AIDS at the 30th anniversary of this pandemic. Included are films directed by: Emmanuelle Antolin, Daniel Cardone, Leo Chiang, Deborah Craig, Robert Dekkers, Veronica Duport Deliz, Jörg Fockele, Stuart Gaffney, Amir Jaffer, Sade Huron, Tim Kulikowski & Ian Wolfley, Rick Osmon, Anne Siegel, Marc Smolowitz and Debra A. Wilson. The Screening will be followed by a round table panel discussion on “30 years of HIV/AIDS” with Executive Producers Marc Smolowitz, Jörg Fockele, AIDS Action Committee and other health experts. “Still Around” is distributed by OUTCAST FILMS. The Boston LGBT Film Festival runs now through May 15th at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and The Brattle Theatre, Cambridge. For More Info: www.bostonlgbtfilmfest.org

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