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September 19, 2023
A Preview of Reeling 2023: The 41st Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival By Dan Pal Earlier this year I had the great pleasure of sifting through dozens of documentary submissions for this year’s Reeling: Chicago’s LGBTQ+ International Film Festival. After a few weeks of intense viewing, as Documentary Features Programmer, I selected the following films to be screened at the festival which begins this Thursday, September 21st. Several of the filmmakers will be in attendance. I will be introducing a number of the films and moderating post-screening Q&A’s. I’m really excited to share these films with you! Please consider attending! A BIG HAIRY HIT! WHERE THE BEARS ARE: THE DOCUMENTARY** Directed by Eduardo Aquino Cast: Ben Zook, Rick Copp, Joe Dietl, Ian Parks DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | U.S. | GAY | ENGLISH | 2023 | 91 Mins Wednesday, September 27, 9:00 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 4 *Filmmaker in Person A hilarious and touching look at the three older, gay, bears who, while working in Hollywood, decided to self-produce their own web series, in the vein of THE GOLDEN GIRLS mixed with some MURDER, SHE WROTE, which became one of the most successful web shows of all-time: WHERE THE BEARS ARE. This documentary explores the problems the writers had trying to get gay-themed shows on the air even after significant Hollywood success. Their focus on the bear community resulted from noticing its lack of representation in films and TV series. Getting the show off the ground with a Kickstarter campaign, the writers chose to explore what real masculinity is and isn’t while considering body issues and depictions of sex. Featuring additional interviews with some of the actors who appeared in the series, the documentary provides insightful observations about accepting different bear body types, ageism, body-shaming, sex-positivity, the online sensation of the series, and many of the behind-the-scenes decisions and antics during the show’s production. This is a warm, fuzzy, and entertaining film about friends and the creative process behind their popular show even if one hasn’t seen the seven-season series. ** Preceded by: PIPES Kilian Feusi, Jessica Meier, Sujanth Ravichandran | Switzerland | 2022 | 4 Mins Bob the plumber is hired to fix a broken pipe and lands in a gay fetish club. BREAK THE GAME Directed by Jane M. Wagner DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | U.S. | TRANS | ENGLISH | 2023 |72 MINS Monday, September 25, 9:30 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 6 Alone in her studio apartment, Narcissa Wright live streams every minute of her quest to become the world's fastest Legend of Zelda player but when her isolated digital existence begins to crack and she loses followers for coming out as Trans, Narcissa must decide her fate: will she embrace love and adventure in the real world, or will she be seduced again by the glow of the computer screen? Can, or should she, try to outdo her past? This moving and revealing documentary sheds light on the public world of live streaming and how it can lead to self-image, body, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It questions if connections made exclusively online are truly “real” and how intimate those connections really are. The documentary, while mostly relayed through on screen content and streams by Wright, is very visually stimulating and fast-paced as it travels between speed-running a video game and living an isolated world online. CHASING CHASING AMY Directed by Sav Rodgers Cast: Kevin Smith, Joey Lauren Adams, Sav Rodgers, Guinevere Turner DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | U.S.| Lesbian, Bi, Trans |English | 2023 |95 mins Saturday, September 23, 5:00 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 4 – I WILL BE INTRODUCING THIS FILM Illuminating look at the history and impact of Kevin Smith’s 1997 film CHASING AMY, which centered on a lesbian who falls for a man, on the LGBTQ+ community including documentary director Sav Rodgers. The film explores the problematic nature of Smith’s film, its homophobia, and identity politics. Included are discussions about the inception of the script, dissections of the characters, visits to the filming locations, key scenes from the film, interviews with Smith as well as lead actress Joey Lauren Adams. 90s independent film culture is also given an examination including details on the attention Smith received during the era while others, such as GO FISH screenwriter Guinevere Turner did not. The film also explores disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein and what many women went through while working with him. At the center of the film though is director Sav Rodgers who goes through a powerful personal transition during the making of this film. KENYATTA: DO NOT WAIT YOUR TURN Directed by Timothy Harris Cast: Malcolm Kenyatta, Matthew Jordan-Miller Kenyatta DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | U.S.| Gay |English | 2023 |95 mins Tuesday, September 26, 7:15 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 6 – I WILL BE INTRODUCING THIS FILM Malcolm Kenyatta, a poor, gay, Black man from North Philly, makes an historical and inspiring run for the U.S. Senate in 2022. While being challenged with issues surrounding fundraising, petitioning, and the public’s perception of his sexual orientation, Kenyatta demonstrates through personal moments and powerful speeches how a marginalized man can reach the top of the political landscape in Pennsylvania which director Timothy Harris objectively presents. In the midst of his 15-month run, Kenyatta further solidifies his relationship with Dr. Matt Jordan-Miller who remains by his side throughout the campaign. The film includes details on Kenyatta’s political rival John Fetterman who has a major advantage with big financial contributions. Even though we might know what the outcome of the election was, the film is still very compelling and inspiring. Every young black gay person and anyone from a marginalized group needs to see this film. It's historically significant, very well produced (NBC’s Al Roker is an Executive Producer), and a moving portrait of a 32-year old man who’s voice we’re only beginning to hear. LEILANI’S FORTUNE Directed by Loveleen Kaur DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | CANADA | LESBIAN |ENGLISH | 2023 | 80 Mins Sunday, September 24, 6:00 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 6 *Filmmaker in Person This intimate journey follows queer, immigrant Ethiopian-Eritrean artist, known as Witch Prophet, as she navigates newfound momentum in Canada and stands true to her unique voice while on the verge of a major international breakthrough. Ayo Leilani aka Witch Prophet is a singer, songwriter, and self-proclaimed psychic who creates from a deeply emotional and spiritual place of power. For years, she has fought an uphill battle in the Canadian music industry that tends not to champion artists creating outside the mainstream, despite their ability to garner a large community of committed fans. After a decade of working in the scene, Witch Prophet reflects on the overdue validation and support that will now help materialize the album of her prophecies. Titled The Gateway Experience, the album is an intimate story of navigating creativity, community, love, belonging, and an unshakeable calling to stand true to oneself. Featuring musical performances, videos, and a look at the creative process, LEILANI’S FORTUNE highlights Witch Prophet’s perseverance and stands as a testament to the magic created by those who courageously choose to be artists on their own terms. STUDIO ONE FOREVER Directed by Marc Satarelli Featuring: Bruce Villanch, Thelma Houston, Chita Rivera DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | U.S. | Gay | English | 2023 | 94 mins Saturday, September 23, 2:45 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 4*Filmmaker in Person – I WILL BE INTRODUCING THIS FILM A club in a former camera factory in West Hollywood, Studio One was the first gay disco and THE place for men and the town’s elite to see others like them and be seen for more than two decades beginning in 1974 from the rise of LGBT rights to the fight against AIDS. Filled with lively graphics, archival footage, animation, great music, and interviews with everyone from Bruce Villanch to Thelma Houston and Chita Rivera, the film touches on the many celebrities who frequented Studio One and its private club, The Backlot, such as Liza Minnelli, Rock Hudson, and Cary Grant while addressing issues of racism and its heart wrenching days during the height of the AIDS plague. With actual footage from its 19 years of existence, the film simultaneously traces the history of the gay scene in L.A. while also remaining relevant to LGBT communities throughout the U.S. L.A.’s Studio One was on par with New York’s Studio 54 and Chicago’s Bistro and Paradise. Many will remember the freedom and excitement of those places in this highly energetic trip through the last half century of gay life. SUSAN FENIGER.FORKED Directed by Liz Lachman Featuring: Susan Feniger DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | U.S. | Lesbian | English | 2023 | 90 mins Sunday, September 24, 4:30 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 4 *Filmmaker in Person - I WILL BE INTRODUCING THIS FILM and conducting the Q&A with the filmmaker and Susan Feniger. This is a very well-edited and produced documentary about a significant chef and restauranteur. There is plenty of behind the scenes footage from her early work on the Food Network, creating her own restaurant, and choosing menu items. The food shown in the film will make everyone salivate! Wolfgang Puck is interviewed. The main subject has a very delightful personality and demonstrates great joy in her work. She visits Vietnam for food ideas and experiments with different cuisines. While there are a few setbacks, most of what she accomplishes here is pretty impressive to watch. The film was made by the subject’s similarly accomplished spouse. This is a very lively documentary with great energy. THE FLOATING MAN Directed by Michael V Smith DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | CANADA | GAY | ENGLISH | 2022 |77 MINS Tuesday, September 26, 9:30 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 6 *Filmmaker in Person - I WILL BE INTRODUCING THIS FILM and conducting the Q&A with the filmmaker. This intimate documentary unpacks Michael V. Smith's journey as a self-described sissy with a body he found humiliating as he developed his own art and became a radical drag performer and genderqueer artist. Inspired by Agnès Varda, The Floating Man is a unique blend of DIY documentary, road trip, performance art, and videopoem. In this amusing self-portrait, the film sources Smith's provocative art practice, to examine a lifetime of untrue stories about his body. A featured project includes Smith on a road trip on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, searching for famed Canadian singer Joni Mitchell... while dressed as Peanut the Clown. A contemporary thread sees Smith's body 'erased,' dressed in a black body suit, in an attempt to eliminate all gender signals, asking us: How do we read a body? What does a particular shape tell us about the world? How much do we not realize we assume, often wrongly, about a person we see on the street? How might we assume less? What gender are we in and out of various clothes? The Floating Man is a timely and positive film about gender fluidity and the power of art to transform a life. THIS IS NOT ME Directed by Jeyan Kader Gulsen, Zekiye Kacak Cast: “Mustafa”, “Mehmet”, “Yusuf” DOCUMENTARY FEATURE | TURKEY | GAY |TURKISH | SUBTITLED | 2023 |91 mins Saturday, September 23, 1:00 PM, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Theater 6 - I WILL BE INTRODUCING THIS FILM Enlightening and beautifully shot film which tells the story of gay men in Turkey who marry women to hide their sexual orientation in the face of societal and family pressures, save for gay and proud Mustafa who encourages his friends to be more open with their families. If there was ever a film about a quiet, gay hero in a Muslim country, this one is it. Mustafa, has been in a relationship with a closeted, married man for 15 years. He takes viewers around Istanbul and through one district with its gay clubs and pride marches, that is itself more open to those gay men from the conservative region and its rural communities. The film explores several provocative questions that many of these men consider including: what makes someone happy? Does a man quit being gay if he marries a woman? Are all women faithful to their men? Through it all, Mustafa remains insightful, confident, and hopeful about life for the LGBTQ+ community in this part of Turkey. Tickets for all films can be purchased at https://reelingfilmfest.org/tickets-passes |
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