OIA FILM FEST AUGUST EDITION
This year’s 18th Out In Africa (OIA) Lesbian and Gay Film Festival has been divided into three events. The 2nd edition for 2011 comes to Nu Metro Hyde Park, Joburg, and the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, simultaneously from 12 – 21 August with a line up of 10 feature films and nine short films, including a number of documentaries.
The selection comes from South Africa, the Bahamas, the US and UK, Spain, Uganda, France and a lesbian co-production from the US, Belgium, Greece and Italy.
Back by popular demand is Glitterboys and Ganglands by award-winning novelist Lauren Beukes. It’s a behind the pink veil look at the preparations for the Miss Gay Western Cape pageant. Out In Africa will donate R10 from each ticket sold to the pageant.
The other South African documentary is Waited For, directed by Nerina Penzhorn; a touching look at the hopes and tribulations of lesbians who wish to adopt. It reveals many of the problems of ‘cross-cultural’ adoptions. Penzhorn will travel from the States to present her film and some of her ‘subjects’ will attend the screenings.
International features include We Were Here; a timely documentary about the beginnings of the AIDS pandemic. It is a forceful account by survivors. There will be discussions after the screenings arranged by Health4Men.
Getting Out is a powerful documentary about refugees; people who have escaped appalling homophobia only to encounter the horrors of Home Affairs. See it to understand the battle of our African neighbours. Gender Dynamix will convene discussions after each screening in Jozi and CT.
The flamboyant dance film Leave It On The Floor is inspired by the classic documentary Paris Is Burning. Beyonce’s music director Kim Burse and Michael Jackson’s choreographer Frank Gaston Jr. deliver white-hot electrifying action and a crop of new queer musical anthems.
François Sagat, the famous French porn star, takes a serious role in Man At Bath, a revealing (in all ways) look at the end of a relationship and the two men’s different ways of coping. Out In Africa is pursuing Sagat in an effort to bring him to South Africa for the festival.
In contrast, is the Brit flick Weekend, sponsored by the British Council. What could have been a one night stand develops in to something deeper as the men share their thoughts on sex, armpits, love, coming out and friendship.
All the way from the Bahamas comes the multiple-award winning Children Of God, a powerful cross cultural love story about two gay lovers and the challenges they face.
For the lesbians (and for enlightened boys too) are two features. For 80 Days is the highly recommended Spanish production about the revival of a 50 year old romance between two older women. Kill the Habit is a funny black-humour thriller… three women have to get rid of a body and the comic situations and fast one-liners make it a must-see.
An array of amusing short films accompany most of the features, and among them is the multiple-award winner Gayby, in which two friends, one a gay man the other a straight women, decide to have a baby.
Book at www.numetro.co.za. Tickets are R47 in Jozi and R42 in CT – but there are lots of concessions available – Clicks, Metropolitan, OAPs and half-price Wednesdays.
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CHILDREN OF GOD
Dir: Kareem Mortimer Bahamas • 2010 • 104min Love across the race barrier. The Bahamas, all palms and tropical breezes, is the backdrop for a story of love and the difficulties gay lovers face on these beautiful, ugly Caribbean islands. Screens with Watch Over Me • Dir: Mysh Rozanov • Israel • 2010 • 14min An initiate of an Israeli army elite corps resists being blooded with the blood of a gay man. He has another agenda. |
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FOR 80 DAYS / 80 EGUNEAN
Dirs: Jose Mari Goenaga & Jon Garaño Spain • 2011 • 104min An exquisite story of second chances as two older women rekindle the intimacy they shared as teenagers, some 50 years ago. That one still has a husband proves problematic. |
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GETTING OUT
Dirs: Daniel Neumann, Alexandra Chapman & Chris Dolan Uganda • 2011 • 60min An urgent film that exposes the un-African lack of love and tolerance for LGBTI people and refugees. A documentary of heartbreak and hope; see it to understand the battle. Produced by the Refugee Law Project with aid from the Open Society Initiative, in collaboration with the Ugandan Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law. Screens with Death of my Daughter • Dir: Leon Mostovoy • USA • 2011 • 9min The filmmaker’s mother announced the death of her daughter upon learning about his transition. |
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GLITTERBOYS AND GANGLANDS
Dir: Lauren Beukes SA • 2011 • 62min Not just another drag act – award-winning novelist Lauren Beukes’ look behind the scenes of the Miss Gay Western Cape event. Touching, engaging, the film is ultimately a beautifully crafted ode to (re)creation, memory and courage under fire. Screens with The Home for Golden Gays • Dir: Nola Grace Gaardmand Denmark/Philippines • 2010 • 13min Semmy’s almost out of the closet at 80. With touching trepidation he explores a queer old a Latest Comments
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YAY!. Cant wait for my first ever OIA experience…yay.
Ticket Sales. When will NuMetro begin to sell tickets?