The 13th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival has already
reached its midway point with an increase
of 15% in ticket sales and many advance sell-outs from pop movie hits like
New Line Cinema's "Hairspray" to the
gay Indie title, "The Picture of Dorian Gray."
The second
weekend is highlighted by the Artistic Achievement Award to distinguished out
screenwriter Craig Lucasof the
landmark AIDS film, "Longtime Companion"
in addition to "Prelude to a Kiss"
and the more recent masterpiece, "Drying
Gaul" on July 21 at the Arts Bank.
There's
still several centerpiece screenings
to catch at PIGLFF 2007. "The Bubble"
tells the story of the gay romance between an Israeli and a Palestinian in Tel
Aviv and screens on July 20 and 22 at the Prince. "The Witnesses" is a French tale of gay life of experience and
adventure on July 21 at the Prince.
Okay, so what to see?
Let's face
it, we all have our favorites and our habits of viewing films. Well, it's about
the time to break with your own
traditions and see films that you won't normally. Guys, try viewing a
lesbian feature for a change. "Nina's Heavenly Delights," distributed by here!,
is one of the best films in the festival. It's a spicy romantic comedy with
Bollywood flair and screens on July 21 at the Wilma and July 22 at the Prince. In my opinion, it's a not-to-be-missed film
for everyone.
How about a
night of shorts made by local gay filmmakers? This year's programmers have
collected an interesting night, "Out in Philly," a shorts program with everything from "Inner Wang" directed by Michele Pollino to "Sarah Vaughn" directed by Kevin A. Brown on July 22 at the Arts
Bank. It's a rare opportunity to see
what's currently happening within the region's queer shorts-making community.
Lesbian filmmakers are represented
in "
