LGBT film fest goes silver with classics
by F. J. Hartland
It’s
so close, you can almost smell the popcorn.
From October 15-24, the Pittsburgh International Lesbian and Gay Film Society once again screens award-winning and independent cinema in the Steel City.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Pittsburgh International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, and to celebrate its silver jubilee, a collection of classic LGBT films will be screened along with new works.
To choose each year’s line-up, Festival Director Mitch Lieb depends on his ten-member programming committee “whose opinions I greatly value” for suggestions.
But to select classic films for this special anniversary, Lieb turned to past PILGFF directors, such as Rich Cummings and Laura Annabelini.
Some of the classic films that made the cut include: La Cage Aux Folles, Longtime Companion, The Killing of Sister George and Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss.
According to Lieb, “These are significant films.” He also added that in contrast to the current films, audiences will see that “Things were tamer back then. Sexuality is more overtly played today.”
For gay men, Lieb recommended the Peruvian film Undertow, a winner at the Sundance Film Festival. “It is a great story, beautifully filmed.”
A best bet for lesbians? Lieb said, “The hottest film would be Bound starring Jennifer Tilley.” He also suggested Marine Story directed by Ned Farr, which centers around a decorated Marine officer (played by Dreya Weber) and the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
Of interest to a younger LGBT audience will be FIT, a British film looking at young people coming of age in the 2000s.
An overall crowd pleaser? Lieb said it has to be Baby Jane?, a campy black-and-white parody of the Bette Davis/Joan Crawford classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Matthew Martin and J. Conrad Frank star in the over-the-top tale.
This year’s special guest will be film director Caspar Andreas, whose film Violent Tendencies will mark his fourth film shown in the festival.
All full-length films will be shown at the Southside Works. Short films will be screened at the Harris Theatre. Lieb admits to being “very fond” of the Harris.
Lieb encourages patrons not to be afraid of the documentaries or the foreign films because “There are some great movies this year.”
And, of course, what’s a festival without parties. The Pittsburgh International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival will open and close with parties. Those with tickets for the opening and closing nights’ films are invited to attend.
PILG Film Festival schedule
Films will be shown at SouthSide Works cinema unless otherwise noted.
October 15
Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister (7pm)
You Can’t Have It All (9:30pm)
October 16
FIT (Noon)
Sex In Epidemic (2pm)
Riot Acts: Flaunting Gender in Music Performance (5pm)
Four-Faced Liar (7pm)
Undertow (9pm)
October 17
Bound (7pm)
I Killed My Mother (5pm)
October 18
Purple Sea (7pm)
Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss (9pm)
October 19
Women’s Shorts (7pm)
Relax, It’s Just Sex (9pm)
October 20
Men’s Shorts (7pm)
Longtime Companion (9pm)
October 21
Our Shorts (7pm)
La Cage Aux Folles (9pm)
October 22
Marine Story (7pm)
Bear Story (9pm)
October 23
Killing of Sister George (2pm)
Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement (5pm)
Elena Undone (7pm)
Baby Jane? (9:30pm)
October 24
Making Of Boys In The Band (5pm)
Violet Tendencies (7pm)
The Festival’s $125 Diva Pass gives one person admission to all films including opening and closing nights. Screen Queen Passes are $70, good for ten discount tickets to all films except opening and closing night. For $45 the Cheap Thrills Pass is good for six discount admissions, not including opening and closing nights.
At opening night’s double feature there will be a party between screenings. Admission to one film and party is $25; admission to both films and party is $30. There is a closing night post-screening party at the Cheesecake Factory for $15.
General admission tickets to all films (except opening and closing) are $8.50; $6 with a student ID.