The Gay Edge At Sundance

Tuesday, January 16-----As one of the world’s most cutting-edge film festivals, Sundance has been a welcoming environment for gay and lesbian filmmakers and their unique perspectives. Whether immersed in gay subject matter, or adding a particular gay spin to a genre film (hard to describe, but you know it when you see it), there is a definite gay edge at Sundance, evidenced by films with GLBT interest (that’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender for you sexual innocents) and a slew of information and social events.

American films with gay/lesbian directors at the helm, or gay subject matter at its heart, include: AN AMERICAN CRIME (director: Tommy O’Haver), a fictionalized account of the true story of a young girl’s torturous ordeal at the hands of a troubled mother of seven in 1960s Indianapolis; FAMILY REUNION (Isold Uggadottir), a New York lesbian’s struggle to come out to her relatives back in Iceland; FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO (Daniel Karslake), a documentary look how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to support its agenda of stigmatizing the gay community; LIFE SUPPORT (Nelson George), a highly effective drama that explores the African-American community’s HIV crisis through the eyes of a a mother, a former addict and AIDS activist (played by Queen Latifah); THE NINES (John August), an astute drama about a troubled actor, a television show runner and an acclaimed videogame designer whose lives become intertwined in mysterious and unsettling ways; SAVE ME (Robert Cary), a controversial drama about sex and drug addicted young man who is forced into a Christian-run ministry in an attempt to cure him of his "gay affliction"; and smiley face, the latest film from enfant terrible director Gregg Araki, about a slacker actress’ surreal adventures in Hollywood after she inadvertently eats her roommate's pot cupcakes.

International titles that bring a queer sensibility to the Sundance Film Festival include: A DAY OUT (South Korea, Jong Yoon Lee), detailing the repressed sexual longings between a stern military sergeant and his submissive private; A VERY BRITISH GANGSTER (UK, Donal MacIntyre), a portrait of one of Britain’s biggest crime families….a man who defies stereotypes; HOW SHE MOVE (Canada, Ian Iqbal Rashid), the story of a privileged high school student who returns to her old, crime-filled neighborhood and finds community through "step dancing"; and TULI (The Phillipines, Auraeus Solito), the story of a young girl in a remote Philippine village who is forced into an arranged marriage by her abusive father, and creates an alternative life.

As if this abundance of queer cinema was not enough, there will be a rash of social and information events that cater to the gay community (and gay friendly industryites). here! Networks, a pioneering media company that specializes in GLBT content, will host the 11th Annual Outfest Queer Brunch on Sunday, January 21 at the Grub Steak Restaurant at Prospector Square. The brunch, which is a gay “must do” event, honors Outfest, the largest gay and lesbian film festival in the United States, held every summer in Los Angeles.

On Sunday, GLAAD, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, will announce its nominees and honorees for the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at a cocktail reception to be held during the Sundance Film Festival. The festivities will include an address by GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano, with various celebrity guests including: Kate Walsh (GREY'S ANATOMY); Jesse Garcia (QUINCEANERA), Leisha Hailey and Katherine Moennig (THE L WORD) and several directors and actors from competing films at Sundance including SAVE ME, THE DEVIL ON HORSEBACK and AND THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. The 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will take place in New York on March 26, Los Angeles on April 14, San Francisco on April 28, and Miami on May 10. A taped version of the awards will premiere in mid-April on Logo, MTV Network's cable network that targets gay and lesbian viewers.

The Queer Lounge, an outpost of gay culture in Park City, returns this year in a new location, the Silver King Hotel in Park City. The Lounge will host several events, including the Queer Lounge Hospitality Suite (wifi and refreshments available), the OurChart.com Room, a new online social networking community aimed at lesbians and their friends, created by Ilene Chaiken, the Executive Producer for the Showtime hit series, THE L WORD; and the Queer Lounge Poolhouse Party, which will repeat on several nights, and serves as a gathering place for bathing suit-clad gay men and lesbians (and their admirers).

On a more serious note, The Queer Lounge will host two panel discussions. The first, on Sunday afternoon, is entitled Online & Original: Filmed Content On The Web. The panel is moderated by Jason Bellini, Correspondent, CBS News on Logo, and will include panelists Matt Farber (founder of gay cable network LOGO and glee.com); Ilene Chaiken (creator of Showtime's THE L WORD and OurChart.com); documentary producer/director Fenton Bailey; Angela Robinson ,director of the cult hit D.E.B.S.; and Jenny Stewart, Manager of Entertainment Programming, for PlanetOut, the gay networking site.

A second panel, to take place on Monday afternoon, explores the nexus of gays, faith and film. Moderated by Tom Brook of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the panel includes director Dan Karslake, director of the Documentary competition film FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO, along with two subjects of the film, the Reverend Mel White and Rabbi Steve Greenberg. Also joing this panel are director Robert Cary and star Judith Light of the dramatic film SAVE ME; as well as director Sandi Dubowski, who had a major Sundance hit a few years ago with the documentary TREMBLING BEFORE GOD.

The Queer Lounge ends on a high octane note with Absolutely The Gayest Party Ever, a high-energy dance party on Thursday, January 25, at the Dreamland Village at the Yarrow Hotel. So, trot out your disco wear and practice your best dance moves for one of Sundance’s legendary late night soirees. Starting this Thursday.....Sundance thinks pink.

Sandy Mandelberger
Sundance Online Dailies Editor