Arts & Entertainment
Reel Affirmations opening night films
Festival kicks off Thursday with screenings of ‘Kiss Me’ and ‘I Do’
The Reel Affirmations International Film Festival kicks off Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Carnegie Institution for Science (1530 P Street, NW) with screenings of “Kiss Me” at 7 p.m. and “I Do” at 9 p.m. Check back for reviews of all the weekend’s films, but we wanted to make sure you had a “heads up” on what to expect from the two opening night features. Visit reel affirmations.org for tickets.
“Kiss Me,” a 2011 piece that runs one hour, 45 mins. and is in Swedish with English subtitles, tells the unlikely love story of two step-sisters (don’t worry – they’re not related by blood). Frida is the daughter of Elisabeth and Mia is the daughter of Lasse. They meet at the elaborate 60th birthday party that Elisabeth throws for Lasse as a prelude to their upcoming nuptials.
Sparks quickly fly between the two women, and that’s when the trouble starts. Both women are in relationships. Mia is engaged to Tim and Frida is living with Elin. Both parents are understandably

A still from the film ‘Kiss Me.’ It screens Thursday night at 7 to open the Reel Affirmations LGBT film festival. (Still courtesy Reel Affirmations)
upset, and Mia is forced to finally admit her bisexuality.
And that’s the problem with this lovely movie. The plot covers difficult emotional terrain (and there are also unexplored melodramatic hints at other dark hidden family secrets), but every obstacles falls away relatively easily. It’s not always smooth sailing for the new couple, but there’s little doubt how the story will end. We also never get a clue how the family will maneuver the awkward introductions at Lasse and Elisabeth’s wedding.
But, that’s ultimately a quibble when watching this lovely film. This is a movie to savor, basking in the beautiful scenery and the fine performances. Writer and director Alexandra Therese Keining moves the action forward smoothly, not rushing the emotional moments, yet never wallowing in the messy situations. Cinematographer Ragna Jorming beautifully captures both urban and rural landscapes. Jorming manages to make a wide variety of scenes look absolutely stunning, from candlelit gatherings to moonlight swims to bracing confrontations in the harsh light of day.
The entire cast is uniformly strong, especially Ruth Vega Fernandez and Mia and Liv Mjönes as Frida. They are ably supported by Lena Endre as Elisabeth, Krister Henriksson as Lasse, Joakim Nätterqvist as Tim and especially Josefine Tengblad as Elin, who shines in her few brief scenes as Frida’s spurned girlfriend. It would have been great to see more of Mia’s kid brother Oskar (Tom Ljungman), who drops out of the movie far too quickly.
“Kiss Me” is a thoroughly enjoyable movie, comfortably navigating its way between the high drama of a Bergman classic and the low drama of a Lifetime made-for-TV movie. (Brian T. Carney)
“I Do,” a 94-minute U.S. drama from director Glenn Gaylord, is an indie film about Jack (David Ross), a gay British photographer in New York who faces a sticky romantic mess with his Spanish architect boyfriend, Mano (Maurice Compte) as they both face immigration challenges, deportation threats and familial demands.
“I Do” rides a solid and assured balance between slick, well-crafted feature with just a smidge of B-level melodrama to keep it from feeling too self important. A few sub-par performances from bit players and some heavy-handed plot turns keep things from fully jelling — one wonders what a director like Steven Soderbergh or even Tom Ford might have done with the material — yet it remains a fully watchable and heart-tugging tale that mostly effectively dramatizes the unfair stress binational gay couples often face.
Writer/producer David Ross will appear for a Q&A after the screening, which will be moderated by Steve Ralls, director of communications at Immigration Equality. (Joey DiGuglielmo)
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
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.
Sunday, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 2
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
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 information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
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