Film Wed Nov 04 2009

Reeling in this year's LGBT International Film Festival

By John Lendman

Reeling, Chicago's 28th annual Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival, part of Chicago Filmmakers, begins Thursday, November 5 with more than 150 films showcasing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender films from all over the world from social documentaries and introspective featurettes to fusions of musicals, drama and horror flicks.

There'll be 59 different screenings, 33 narrative feature films, 10 documentaries, 16 screenings of short films and about seven after-parties at venues including Lincoln Park's Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St., the South Loop's Film Row Cinema at Columbia College, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., and Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St.

Here are a few prime events not to be missed:

• The Opening Night will kick off at Music Box Theatre at 7:30pm with the dramatic comedy ("dramedy,") The Big Gay Musical with co-director Casper Andreas and lead actor Daniel Robinson in attendance, followed by a performance by The Joans (a band based on Joan Crawford) at the Opening Night Gala at Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.

• A highly anticipated, locally produced film being featured as Reeling's Documentary Centerpiece: Fish Out of Water by director Ky Dickens, challenges the religious condemnation of homosexuality with interviews with biblical scholars and LGBT leaders (featuring Chicago's own LGBT community). The screening, on November 8th at 5pm, will be followed by a Q&A discussion with the audience as well as a reception hosted by In Fine Spirits, 5420 N. Clark St.

• Selected as Reeling's Dramatic Centerpiece film is Rivers Wash Over Me, by director John G. Young, about a gay New York City teen sent to live with family in Alabama after the death of his mother. This drama, set to screen on November 14th at 9pm at Film Row Cinema, looks into the duel confrontations of homophobia and racism with the director and producer Dexter Davis available for discussion after the film. A post-film reception will be held at Chinese restaurant, Opera, 1301 S. Wabash Ave.

• Reeling and The Queer Film Society present the panel discussion: Now or Never, to shed light on the current state of independent queer cinema and its mainstream progression. Gay film critics Hank Sartin (Time Out Chicago), Richard Knight, Jr. (Windy City Times), Jonathan Lewis (Gay Chicago Magazine), Joe Steiff (co-chair of the Film & Video Dept. at Columbia College), Wendy Jo Carlton (director of Hannah Free) and Nick Davis (Gender Studies assistant professor at Northwestern and writer of NicksFlickPicks.com) will head the free panel at Film Row Cinema on November 14 at 3pm.

Tickets for this year's events, running until November 15, are available to purchase online at ReelingFilmFestival.org, or by phone: (773) 293-1447. Movie tickets range from $10- $12, while tickets to the film plus the following gala range from $20- $35. Special prices are available to film festival members.