Week of Jan 27
This week brings a special Liza Minnelli documentary, a rarely-screened science fiction epic from gay German wunderkind Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and a free screening of The Matrix.
Don't miss the newest program announcements from Whammy: a 2k double feature restoration of two of Arthur J Bressan's gay adult films Daddy Dearest (1984) and Juice (1985), and the LA debut of Louise Weard's trans epic Castration Movie Anthology.
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story
Jan 27, 7:00 PM @ Laemmle Royal
Writer-director Bruce David Klein in person
Rich with archival gems and Liza Minnelli’s own point of view, Bruce David Klein’s luminous documentary celebrates a young entertainer full of boundless raw talent and the deep, creative relationships with her mentors and influences.
Tickets from Laemmle Theatres >
World on a Wire
Feb 01, 6:00 PM @ Academy Museum
Not Streaming Anywhere!
Gay New German Cinema filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbender made 40 films before his untimely death at 38. His works range from domestic dramas to social commentary to historical epics, and pulp thriller World on a Wire was the only science fiction film he directed.
The Matrix
Feb 01, 7:30 PM @ New Beverly Cinema
When The Matrix came out in 1999, nobody thought it was a queer movie--but directors Lily and Lana Wachowski have come out as trans (and made the wildly queer series Sense8). Watching the Matrix today shines a new light on its epic battles for liberation and authenticity.
Tickets from The New Beverly >
Just Added
Daddy Dearest & Juice (1984/85)
Feb 08, 7:30 PM @ Whammy Analog Media
Not Streaming Anywhere!
New 2k restorations of these adult films from Arthur J Bressan, Jr thanks to Altered Innocence. A gay cinema pioneer, Bressan was a pornographer, a documentarian, and writer/director, perhaps best known for 1977 pride march documentary Gay USA or 1985 AIDS drama Buddies.
As a gay porn director, Bressan is frequently described as being more wistful, romantic, and political than many of his contemporaries. Check out these Cruising the Movies podcast episodes from scholar and programmer Elizabeth Purchell:
This screening is 18+ Only, ID required.
Castration Movie Anthology i. Traps
Feb 15, 7:00 PM @ Whammy Analog Media
Director Louise Weard, Vera Drew in person
Join Vera Drew and director Louise Weard for the LA Premiere of the 275-minute first chapter in a planned 16-hour trans epic.
Part i of Castration Movie follows a trans woman named Michaela "Traps" Sinclair, a sex worker in Vancouver who splits her time between seeing clients and hanging out with her group of trans friends. As the weight of the world piles up on her she decides to pursue her dream of settling down and having a child until her fantasy shatters around her.
Part 2 is currently in production, and raising funds on Kickstarter.
Tickets from Whammy Analog Media >
Next Week
Macumba Sexual
Feb 04, 1:00 PM @ University of Southern California
Trans actress Ajita Wilson plays the goddess of lust, who appears in visions to torment a sexually repressed wife in this 1983 cult classic from exploitation filmmaker Jess Franco.
Bones and All
Feb 09, 4:25 PM @ Alamo Drafthouse DTLA
Abandoned by her father, a young woman embarks on a thousand-mile odyssey through the backroads of America where she meets a disenfranchised drifter. But despite their best efforts, all roads lead back to their terrifying pasts and to a final stand that will determine whether their love can survive their otherness.
Tickets from Alamo Drafthouse >
Ed Wood
Feb 11, 7:00 PM @ University of Southern California
Tim Burton's biopic of legendary "worst director of all time" 1950s B-movie king (and lifelong crossdresser) Ed Wood turns 30! Make it a double feature with "Glen or Glenda," Wood's 1953 first movie about gender-crossing characters.
February Highlight
Documenting Michelle
Feb 21 & 22, 7:30 PM @ Hammer Museum
Filmmaker Michelle Parkerson in person
The UCLA Film and TV archive presents a two-night celebration of New Black Cinema filmmaker, writer, and performance artist Michelle Parkerson. A trailblazing Black lesbain voice, Parkerson has worked in both narrative and documentary film. Free and open to the public.
Tickets from UCLA Film & TV Archive >
Now In Cinemas
Young drug dealer Pablo and his sister Appoline bond over an online game called Darknoon. Pablo falls for Night, neglecting his sister. While Appoline finishes the game, Pablo and Night become embroiled in a dangerous gang conflict.
