Summer 85
Frameline, the San Francisco-based queer media arts foundation, returns June 10-27 with its 45th LGBTQ Film Festival. And thankfully, much of it will take place in person as well.
Anyone living in the San Francisco area – or anyone outside of it with internet access – can participate in this year’s festival, allowing more people to participate in the Frameline festivities than ever before. This year, special screenings will also be held at Oracle Park in San Fran to kick off the festivities with two highly anticipated musicals. More information on them in a moment.
Warning to enthusiastic moviegoers: we have a feeling this won’t be the last you hear about these titles, many of which will also be screened at other film festivals, or which have already created a buzz on the festival circuit. .
In the heights
The long-awaited (and much-delayed) big-screen version of the Broadway smash is finally arriving with a special screening. Follow a diverse group of friends living in the Washington Heights of New York City as they grapple with love, life, and the American dream. With songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a cast that includes Anthony Ramos, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jimmy Smitts and Stephanie Beatriz, it’s a hell of a way to kick off Frameline and the summer festivities.
Screens June 11.
Everybody’s talking about Jamie
Speaking of long-delayed (thank you COVID), highly anticipated releases, Frameline will also host a special screening of the musical Everybody’s talking about Jamie. The film follows the main character (played by Max Harwood), a teenager who dreams of growing up to be a famous drag queen. With the help of her best friend (Lauren Patel) and a local drag star (Richard E. Grant), Jamie aims to bring drag glamor to high school.
Screens June 12.
Summer 85
Director François Ozon (Swimming pool, by the grace of God) returns with his latest film, a drama / thriller about two men in love. A bizarre accident reunites the teenagers Alexis and David (Félix Lefebvre and Benjamin Voisin), and the couple forges an immediate bond. As their friendship grows, deeper passions begin to surface in a story that details the line between love and obsession.
Screens June 16.
American potato dreams
American potato dreams
Director Wes Hurley mixes comedy, surrealism and human drama in this story of a Russian boy locked up. Young Potato endures life under the Soviet bloc, yearning for the America he saw in the movies. As he grows up, his mother and school bullies begin to sense that Potato is gay, which is life threatening. Potato’s mother then launches a plan to become a mail order bride in hopes of bringing her to the United States. It’s a story of family love, identity and the endless nonsense of life. If we tell you that Jonathan Bennett (from Mean Girls) is playing Jesus, we think you’ll understand.
Screens June 15.
Nonsense
This document chronicles the phenomenon of the all-male magazine based in San Francisco. Long interviews with the show’s creators – and performers – just might make this film one of the most festive films of the year. Take it as you want.
Screens June 20.
No straight lines
The queer geek may have entered the mainstream, but that doesn’t mean queer comics have. No straight lines traces the unabashed rise of LGBTQ comics from the hyper-sexual underground to light, and how creators changed the world simply by drawing their own community on the page. Featuring interviews with Alison Bechdel, Howard Cruse, Rupert Kinnard and many more, the film explores how queer comics have changed with the community and have shown the way to the future.
Screens June 27.
Summer time
This Sundance film defies description. It portrays a diverse group of LA teens moving through life, expressing themselves through poetry rather than dialogue. This includes a group of gay teens determined to live their lives their own way. Director Carlos López Estrada stages the read poems like Hollywood musical numbers of yesteryear, making it a thrilling and unique viewing experience.
Online screens.
Swan song
Gay director Todd Stephens returns with his most accomplished and tenderest film yet. Udo Kier plays the role of an aging hairdresser confined to a retirement home. When offered $ 25,000 to come out of retirement and comb a dead body, he sets out on a journey through town on foot… and into his own hunted memories. With appearances from Jennifer Coolidge, Linda Evans, and Michael Urie, it’s a hilarious and moving dromedary.
Online screens.
Ailey
This new documentary biopic chronicles the life of gay choreographer Alvin Ailey and how his revolutionary new dance form changed the performance landscape. Told through a combination of archival footage, personal testimonies and dance, the film highlights the life of a queer artist whose contribution must not go unnoticed.
Screens June 19.
My beautiful, my beautiful
This French drama explores homoerotic polyamory as an aging group clashes over lost love and lingering jealousies. We’re not sure what to expect from such a dramatic and convoluted premise, but who better to explore than the French?
Online screens.
Note: This article contains parts of previous articles posted here on Queerty.
