Arts & Entertainment
‘Carol’ to get Russian release despite anti-gay law
March release planned but further obstacles remain
(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)
“Carol” is now set for release in Russia in March 2016 amidst laws banning “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.”
Arthouse, a Russian movie distributor, has acquired the rights to the five Golden Globe-nominated film. Co-founder of Arthouse Yan Vizinberg told the Hollywood Reporter that they’re excited to have the film released in Russia.
“‘Carol’ is no doubt the main film event of this year, and definitely the most exciting love story to hit the screen recently,” Vizinberg told the Reporter. “It’s a dream for everyone at Arthouse to be releasing this film in Russia.”
However, the fight to show “Carol” isn’t over. Vizinberg says the film will still have issues getting a proper release. He says that it will still be difficult to sell “Carol” to major TV channels and some cinemas may refuse to book the film.
“Carol” isn’t the first film to face obstacles. Arthouse had issues screening the LGBT British comedy film “Pride” earlier this year. “Pride” had to be rated 18-plus, Russia’s most restrictive theatrical rating. “Blue is the Warmest Color,” a French lesbian-themed film, also faced protests and boycotts.
Arthouse told the Reporter the buzz about the film’s release will help sales.
“On the positive side, the controversy around the LGBT issues will help us market Carol to the right audience: educated and open-minded intelligentsia,” Vizinberg says.”It’s a film about a relationship, it’s a story of forbidden love, and we believe that it will appeal to the public way beyond the LGBT community.”
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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