Unfurl the pink carpet, because Outfest is back! Running July 7-17th in Hollywood, the quintessential LGBT film festival will once again showcase the creme de la creme of queer cinema. With 10 days of films screening across four separate venues, the event can become a tad overwhelming. That’s why we’ve distilled the litany of options down to these 7 Outfest films you’ll regret missing out on.
High School Reunions
(USA, 2016, 90 min)
Directed By: Clea DuVall
Outfest 2016 hits the ground running when But I’m a Cheerleader sweethearts Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne reunite on the big screen for the Opening Night Gala’s debut of The Intervention. In DuVall’s directorial debut, a group of 30-something couples meet in a lake house to confront a friend about her toxic relationship, only to end up airing their collective dirty laundry. Arrested Development fans will appreciate Alia ‘Maeby Funke’ Shawkat as a seductive stranger who cleaves a wedge between DuVall and Leon, but the real eye candy for Outfest fans is the always adorable Jason Ritter.
…And This One’s Just Right!
Things get hairy in the third installment of the Bear City trilogy. The more DILF-to-be Brent (Stephen Guarino) freaks out about their impending fatherhood, the more his partner Fred (Brian Keane) withdraws into editing his upcoming documentary. Don’t fret if you’re not a fan of fuzz, because Joe Conti is back as Tyler, the series’ sticky-sweet otter pop.
Sapphic Serial Killers
Women Who Kill
U.S. Narrative Features
(USA, 2016, 93 min)
Directed By: Ingrid Jungermann
Femme film fans should flock to this darkly comic feature showcasing a pair of ex-girlfriends who co-host a female serial killer podcast. But the gem of this movie is Annette O’Toole as an enigmatic murderess you love to hate.
The Queer Mind Behind Queer
Burroughs: The Movie
Legacy Project
(USA, 1983, 90 min)
Directed By: Howard Brookner
Willam S. Burroughs was a paradox, as anyone whose’s ever read his novel Queer can attest. In one paragraph he’d berate a stranger for being a “fairy,” then in the next he’d proposition a Mexican boy for anonymous sex. Its this dichotomy that makes Burroughs such a fascinating subject for this 1983documentary, which also features a bevy of downtown New York notables such as Patti Smith, Terry Southern, and fellow queer Beat poet Allen Ginsberg.
Disco Diva
Gays can testify to the hardships of living as a minority, but being gay, African-American, and a woman often means triple the adversity. Jewel Thais-Williams, founder of LA’s Catch One, lived as all three and thrived as the founder of the oldest Black owned disco in the country. This documentary explores the “Studio 54 of the West Coast” with celebrity interviews from Madonna, Sandra Bernhardt, and Thelma Houston.
Strike a Pose 2.0
Like a Paris is Burning for the 21st century, Jordeno’s doc chronicles the colorful realm of competitive voguing. Drag-Ball veterans TwiggyPucci Garçon and ChiChi Mizrahi not only coach these LGBT youths on how to turn out the runway, but also provides them with a sense of purpose and family.
Momma’s Boy
Outfest takes its final bow with the screening of this autobiographical comedy by SNL scribe Chris Kelly. After the recent break up with his longtime boyfriend, David is forced to move back home and care for his sick mother. The fact that mommy dearest is played by comedy maven Molly Shannon clinches this flick as a solid “must-see” movie.
MarionPaige
Pretty sure the movie King Cobra is being featured at Outfest
martinbakman
The tickets prices for Intervention and Other People were sky high. I know. It’s a great cause to support OutFest.
Spa Night looks really good, filmed here in LA, in Korea Town.
I’m also seeing
King Cobra
Looking the movie
Closet Monster
Being 17 (French)
Esteros (Argentina) http://insideout.ca/torontofestival/film/esteros
and a couple others.
michael ciriaco
Also, be sure to check out RETAKE on Thur 7/14 at 9:30 in DGA 1. Its going to be awesome!