This Year’s Frameline Film Festival Lineup is Superb!

June is Pride Month, which means it’s time to welcome the return of Frameline aka the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival to The City and surrounding environs. From June 14-24, 2023, interested viewers can catch in-person screenings at such venues as the Castro Theatre, the Roxie Theater, the 4-Star Theater, and the New Parkway Theater. Can’t get to the San Francisco Bay Area but live in the U.S. (including such hell states as Texas and Florida)? No worries, Frameline hosts a streaming encore for many of the films it’s screening, running from June 24 to July 2, 2023.

Frameline is one of those local cultural events which show why the phrase “representation matters” remains meaningful.  Seeing unapologetically LGBTQ+ characters, history, and/or desire on screen has always been a liberating experience, particularly for those feeling isolated in noticeably homophobic environments. But this year, that viewing experience is particularly more needed than ever. The fascists of the GQP and their right-wing allies such as hate group Moms For Liberty have mounted an aggressive multi-pronged effort to dehumanize and erase LGBTQ+ lives from the public square.  Watching some of Frameline 47’s suggested offerings, whether at the Castro Theatre or in Florida via streaming, will remind viewers of what’s being fought for and why America’s homegrown fascists should not be allowed to win.

Frameline kicks things off with the rousing short film program “Restorations & Revivals: The Ace Of Swords.”  The program’s highlight is “Greetings From Washington D.C.,” a restoration of the first film Frameline ever played at the Castro Theatre back in 1981.  The film itself chronicles the first National March On Washington For Lesbian and Gay Rights, which took place in 1979.  This cinematic chronicle was a collaborative effort among such future queer cinema heavyweights as Rob Epstein, Greta Schiller, and Barbara Hammer.  The other film in the program is the restoration of Stephen Cummins’ award-winning Australian short “Resonance.”  This look at the repercussions of a gay bashing in the back streets of Sydney was part of the legendary Sundance Film Festival programming line-up that ushered in New Queer Cinema.  Broke-ass readers should notice that this screening is a free one.

Fairyland

The San Francisco Opening Night Film is “Fairyland,” an adaptation of Alysia Abbott’s memoir produced by Sofia Coppola.   In the 1970s, widowed poet Steve Abbott (Scoot McNairy) arrived in San Francisco with his daughter Alysia during the early days of gay liberation.  Abbott was there to truly explore his sexuality while also balancing the demands of fatherhood and his writing.  While Alysia as a child is excited by what she sees and lives through, her older self has to deal with the psychological problems brought on by her offbeat childhood and the actions of her flawed father. 

The Oakland Opening Night Film is “Chestnut,” a romantic drama taking place over an eventful summer in Philadelphia’s version of the Castro.  Aspiring writer Annie isn’t particularly eager to take a finance job waiting for her in Los Angeles.  A meeting with party girl Tyler causes sparks to immediately flicker…at least for Annie.  But her trying to figure out where she stands with the party girl might be her way of ducking making the big decision about her future.  This is one of those films where you have to hope Rush tickets open up.

Beloved YA novel “Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe” gets its cinematic adaptation.  In the summer of 1987, Mexican-American teen loner Aristotle meets teen artist Dante at a Texas poolside.  The two teens bond over a shared background and their unique names, becoming close friends and confidantes.  But when Dante has to move away, the dynamic between the two boys starts becoming complicated, a process not helped for Ari by some long-buried family secrets coming to light.

How did lesbian fiction climb out of the 1928 tragedy of The Well Of Loneliness to the 1990s’ diversity of Tipping The Velvet and The Gilda Stories?  Find out in the documentary “In Her Words: 20th Century Lesbian Fiction.”  It’s a look at both the stories that defined the genre as well as the changes in the sociopolitical climate that influenced the stories that could be told.  

The space travel reference in “Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project” comes from the legendary poet’s feeling that a Black woman’s life involves surviving dangerous journeys and adapting to alien environments.  This Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning portrait of Giovanni follows her as she lives her life how she pleases, and features electrifying readings of her poetry along the way.

Chocolate Babies

Never heard of George Platt Lynes?  After you watch the documentary “Hidden Master: The Legacy Of George Platt Lynes” and see some of Lynes’ work in the film, you will.  Lynes’ celebrity portraits and fashion photography brought him renown.  But his real passion was his male nude photography, whose subjects were generally handsome men he could talk into disrobing in front of his camera.  

A different sort of photographer is one of the two protagonists in the Berlinale Teddy Award winner “All The Colours Of The World Are Between Black And White.”  Bawa is a betting shop owner who takes photographs around Lagos as a hobby.  He’s the new friend of lonely delivery driver Bambino.  A bond intimating something emotionally deeper could form between the two men.  However, how can they express their feelings when Nigeria happens to be a place where gays can be publicly beaten or even burned alive?

The unfortunately timely documentary “Out Of Uganda” lets four LGBTQ+ refugees applying for asylum in Switzerland tell their personal stories of being persecuted by both their government and even their own families for being who they are.  But the directors also take the viewers to meet both the subjects’ families as well as the church and government officials pushing homophobic policies.

If you’re in the mood for seeing Black queer activists f**king up conservative decorum, then the restoration of New Queer Cinema classic “Chocolate Babies” might be for you.  The film follows a group of Black queer HIV+ radicals who target indifferent and homophobic New York City politicians.  But given their own personal problems, how much can they effectively do?

Ask Any Buddy

Documentary filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz’ (“I Am Divine”) newest documentary “Commitment To Life” recounts the story of how doctors, activists, and entertainment professionals in the Los Angeles area came together to work on finding a cure for AIDS.  This task was made more difficult by the unwillingness of the bulk of American society at the time to deal with the challenges posed by the disease.   

Mexican erotic drama “The Trace Of Your Lips” takes place during a citywide lockdown imposed in response to an unnamed pandemic.  B-movie actor Roman and day job bodega worker/dancer Aldo may be neighbors separated by a busy street.  But when they meet online, their desire for each other might be fed by the isolation imposed by the lockdown.

The “Neighborhood Nights” sidebar gives Frameline a chance to honor San Francisco’s independent movie theaters.  For viewers, it’s a chance to catch a trio of late 20th century queer cinema classics on the big screen.  The selections are “Chasing Amy” (Comic book artist Holden (Ben Affleck) falls in love with fellow artist Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) but then discovers she’s a lesbian), “Desert Hearts” (In 1959 Reno, English professor Vivian’s plans to establish residency for a divorce get sidetracked by her growing attraction to free-spirited sculptor Cay), and “Serial Mom” (Supposedly respectable housewife Beverly Sutphin (Kathleen Turner) is secretly a serial killer who offs those who insult her family or fail to live up to her moral standards).

Call “Chasing Chasing Amy” an answer film to a problematic yet also inspiring film.  For filmmaker Sav Rodgers, “Chasing Amy” was the first film that introduced him to the concept of queer identities.  Yet for others, Kevin Smith’s boy meets lesbian romcom is a straight man’s utterly loathsome lesbian fantasy.  Rodgers winds up talking to both those involved in making Smith’s film as well as critics and filmmakers who’ve had differing reactions to the film.

If you missed “Anhell69” at S.F. DocFest, now you have another chance to catch it.  This Venice Film Festival award-winning documentary-fiction hybrid involves at its core a film that was never made thanks to its proposed lead actor’s death from a heroin overdose.  But that unmade film is part of a larger story involving the violent history of Medellin, Colombia as well as the difficulties of living as an LGBTQ+ person in what’s supposed to be Colombia’s gay mecca.

Bottoms

Also falling into the post-S.F. DocFest second chance screening category is “Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn.”  It’s a portrait of rising LGBTQ+ political star Malcolm Kenyatta’s 2022 run for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat.  Why should an openly Black queer candidate be considered a long shot compared to yet another cishet white male for this seat?  The answers may lead viewers to question whether “electability” is political code for “let’s keep the white cishet status quo in politics forever.” 

Make time for the raunchy high school comedy that wowed this year’s SXSW.  “Bottoms” tells of how unpopular queer high school seniors PJ and Josie come up with an unusual plan to dodge expulsion.  They’re going to start an after-school women’s self-defense club in this high school brimming with toxic males.  But what was originally intended as an excuse to meet cute cheerleaders soon turns into Fight Club redux.

Fan of “RuPaul’s Drag Race?”  Then you need to score a ticket to “God Save The Queens” before it’s too late.  It features such “Drag Race” stars as Alaska, Lasagna Estranja, Kelly Mantle, Manilla Luzon, and Michelle Visage.  After a series of PR disasters, a quartet of LA drag queens try to get their careers back on track.  Their answer: a trip to a desert retreat where they can engage in a bit of queer group therapy.  As they share their stories of showbiz, fandom, and aging, their lives will be changed forever.

Centerpiece Film “Cora Bora” gives “Hacks”’ Megan Statler a star vehicle to truly cut loose.  Statler plays the titular poly bisexual Cora, a wannabe musician who makes a surprise trip home to Portland when she senses her open relationship with girlfriend Justine is on the rocks.  Her unannounced arrival at Justine’s graduation party proves just the beginning of her misadventures on her chaotic path to finally finding personal harmony.

Another Centerpiece Film, “Theater Camp,” uses the tried and true story of “eccentric group bands together to save a beloved institution in danger of closure.”  In this case, the endangered institution is a scrappy theater camp in upstate New York.  But what earned the film a Sundance Special Jury Award is the film’s cast, which includes Molly Gordon (“Shiva Baby”), Ben Platt (“Pitch Perfect”), and Caroline Aaron (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”).

Chasing Chasing Amy

“Mutt” follows newly transitioned Fena, whose new normalcy gets challenged by three fateful encounters over a very eventful 24 hours.  There’s the cishet ex-boyfriend who still has romantic feelings for Fena.  Younger sister Zoe needs Fena’s help but doesn’t know yet about his transition.  Finally, Fena’s father has returned from Chile for a visa renewal.  Lio Mehiel’s performance as Fena earned them a Special Jury Award for acting at the recent Sundance Film Festival.

SXSW Film Festival Audience Award Winner “A Place Of Our Own” follows the struggles of subjects Laila and Rashni to find a new place to live after being unjustly evicted.  However, others’ hatred makes the search difficult for this pair of transwomen living in Bhopal, India.  Can their inner strength and their reliance on each other keep them going until they find a place where they can live more than marginally?

The IDFA Audience Award-winning documentary “Blue ID” depicts an uphill struggle to live authentically in spectacularly hostile circumstances.  The title refers to Turkey’s linking of gender and color in its personal ID system.  Ruzgar used to be a famous actress who was often in the public eye.  Personal happiness came after she transitioned to male.  But Turkey happens to have Europe’s highest transgender murder rate, a probable consequence of its strict distinctions between male and female and the country’s hostility towards those who flout those distinctions.  And how does Ruzgar deal with constant surveillance by the paparazzi?

Golden Leopard winner “Rule 34”’s protagonist, bisexual Simone, pays for law school by moonlighting as a camgirl.  She thinks she can keep the two parts of her life separate.  But then her legal career interests turn towards representing vulnerable women in abuse cases.  Meanwhile, her sexual interests on- and off-camera start turning towards BDSM and kink.  Are these interests in conflict with each other or actually complementary?

Sundance and Berlin Audience Award Winner “Kokomo City” will be the stuff of nightmares for TERFs and other transphobes.  For the rest of us, this portrait of four trans Black sex workers navigating gender, Blackness, and sexuality allows these subjects to honestly recount their individual journeys as well as their struggles for the future.

Expressing gay sexuality is definitely not a problem in the film “Ask Any Buddy.”   The product of clips assembled from over 125 gay pornographic films from the 1960s through the 1980s, it’s an explicit celebration of pre-AIDS gay life from the mechanics of subway cruising to the joys of connecting with someone to making use of glory holes in public bathrooms.

Taylor Mac’s A 24-Decade History of Popular Music

“Ask Any Buddy” happens to be part of the festival’s “Erotic Evenings” programming sidebar, which is dedicated to the history of the Roxie Theater.  In addition to the already mentioned compilation documentary, the other offerings are “Le Beau Mec” and “Debi Sundahl Double Feature.”  The “Le Beau Mec” program consists of the titular film about a narcissistic French hustler recounting his sexual history and the Curt Mc Dowell short “Loads” (the director’s recollections about his adventures with straight boys).  The Sundahl program consists of “Suburban Dykes” (a call to a phone sex line by a pair of suburban dykes seeking excitement leads to their hiring a butch escort) and “Safe Is Desire” (a lesbian couple go to a San Francisco all-lesbian sex club).

If you’ve enjoyed David Tennant and Michael Sheen in “Staged,” how about trying a version of that series’ premise but with explicit gay sex and frontal nudity?  In “Rotting In The Sun,” director Sebastian Silva plays a crashed-and-burned version of himself.  He’s artistically blocked and ketamine-addicted.  However, things look up when Silva gets rescued by real-life social media star Jordan Firstman (also playing a magnified version of himself).  Firstman recognizes Silva and proposes an HBO project which could restore Silva’s creative mojo.  But when the director disappears, the social media star must hunt for clues to Silva’s whereabouts, even if it takes him to an orgy.

Unofficially closing Frameline will be one of the most spectacular concert films you’ll see this year: “Taylor Mac’s A 24-Decade History Of Popular Music.”  Take one theater superstar, the incredible costumes of Machine Dazzle, 24 musicians, a team of mischief-makers, the popular music of every decade of American history, and a 24-hour performance.  This film provides highlights of the results, where Stephen Foster bumps shoulders with Pansy Division and a wig is curled around dynamite sticks. 

There are obviously tons of other movies worth checking out at this year’s Frameline, and this preview offers only a taste of the possibilities.  GQP types may claim watching LGBTQ+ film is a form of cultural sexual recruitment.  But what is the deliberate ignorance of LGBTQ+ lives the GQP wants but cultural grooming for bigotry?

(For a complete catalog of Frameline 47’s offerings and to order advance tickets, go here.)

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