Arts & Entertainment
Coming attractions
Murder, bullying, suicide among heavy themes in new gay films
Actor Mark Cirillo as Ryan in ‘The Seminarian.’ It had a limited theatrical run last fall but is out on DVD this month. (Photo courtesy Joshua Lim)
The spring movie calendar packs a wide variety of gay-themed movies but DVD is a good way to catch recent flicks with gay content that only got limited theatrical runs.
Premiered at the Adelaide Bigpond Film Festival, “The Showtown Murders” is the first film to cover the horrific “bodies in the barrels” murders that took place in South Australia. Based on a true story involving Australian serial killer John Bunting, the film follows a 16-year-old who begins a friendship with an older man. Their relationship takes a horrific turn and eventually they start to kill and target groups, including gay men. It’s out March 2 in limited theaters.
Directed by Sundance- and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch, “Bully” is a character-driven documentary that follows five kids and their families over the course of a school year, with each outcome unpredictable, including the stories of two families who have lost children due to suicide and a mother who anxiously waits to learn the outcome of her 14-year-old daughter who’s incarcerated for possessing a gun. With rare access into a community school system, the film provides a glimpse into school buses, classrooms, cafeterias and even principles’ offices, offering insight into the world of children. It opens March 30 in limited theaters.
Written and directed by James Franco, “The Broken Tower” is a story about Hart Crane, a gay American poet who committed suicide at age 32 in 1932. It premiered last year at Boston College and had a limited theatrical run. In this movie, Crane is a struggling writer who is not understood by his peers, unappreciated for his literary work and unable to allocate time to write because of his financial struggles. Look for it on DVD March 27.
“The Seminarian” is a story about Ryan, a closeted gay religious student who’s struggling with his feelings while completing seminary studies. His school’s hostile views toward homosexuality and his mother’s staunch religious conservative beliefs compound his intrapersonal dilemma about his identity. Ryan needs to complete a solid theological thesis in order to continue doctoral work at the university but is sidetracked when he starts a relationship with a guy he met online, which causes him to question his faith. It’s on DVD March 27.
“American Translation” is about a sexually ambiguous Frenchman who tours the countryside with his female American lover, who’s madly in love with him. From the moment their eyes crossed, brooding Chris and the beautiful Aurore fall passionately and deeply in love. But it’s not long before their overly intense bond is consumed by Chris’s obsession with gay men. This obsession leads Chris and Aurore down a dark and evil journey where the pair embarks on a violent and sexual escapade with seduction and destruction of young gay hustlers. Eye-popping, and jaw dropping, this extremely intense sexy and wildly controversial movie is filled with shocking scenes and graphic displays. It’s on DVD April 17.
Also out April 17 is “Domain,” a movie about a 17-year-old Pierre becoming obsessed with his aunt Nadia, a flamboyant intellectual mathematician whose intelligence collides with her alcoholic dependency and fatalistic view of life, which places her on a path of self-destruction. As Pierre discovers his homosexuality feelings developing within, he attempts to rescue his beloved aunt from herself.
“Jack and Diane,” two teenage girls, meet in New York City and spend the night with their lips locked. Diane’s charming innocence quickly begins to open Jack’s tough-skinned heart. But when Jack discovers that Diane is leaving the country in a week, she tries to push her away. Diane must struggle to keep their love alive while hiding the secret that her newly awakened sexual desire is giving her werewolf-like visions. This movie is scheduled to be released in limited theaters June 1.
Gay themes are still hit or miss in the multiplex but gay storylines may pop up here and there in some of the mainstream releases. Look for “Silent House” and “John Carter” next weekend, “21 Jump Street” on March 16, “The Hunger Games” on March 23, “Wrath of the Titans” on March 30 and “Battleship” on May 18.
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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