Week of Oct 28
It's a crazy week of film festivals, special screenings, and big screen releases--with so many options, there's no excuse not to see some Queer films this week. Netflix's Emilia Pérez, bound to be a major awards contender, screens at the American French Film Festival on Wednesday with director Jacques Audiard in person. The film then opens in theaters across town on Friday, playing at LOOK Cinemas Glendale, the Egyptian Theater Hollywood, and many more local screens.
Also screening this week:
The American French Film Festival
The American French Film Festival runs Oct 29 - Nov 3, and has added special guests to some of their Queer programs. In addition to Jacques Audiard at Emilia Pérez, actor Arnaud Valois (who also starred in AIDS heartbreaker B.P.M.) will join the screening of Becoming Karl Langerfeld on Oct 30. And actress Sanda Codreanu will participate in a Q&A following The Balconettes.
The American French Film Festival Program >
GuadaLAjara Film Festival
The GuadaLAjara Film Festival plays Nov 1 -3, building creative ties between the United States and Latin America. Queer selections include intersex neo-noir thriller Ponyboi, broke Gen Z buddy comedy Rent Free, a queer woman's coming-of-age quest on the Mexican frontier in La Arriera, and lesbian crime drama The Low End Theory.
Join Queer Film LA for a meet-up before Rent Free, starting at 7:30 at the lobby bar at Vidiots.
GuadaLAjara Film Festival Program >
Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival
The Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival runs Oct 29 - Nov 3, bringing this year's best Brazilian films to Los Angeles. Queer selections include intergenerational romance Baby, which just won the International Grand Jury Award at NEWFEST, with director Marcelo Caetano in person; Frameline breakout Cidade Campo, and steamy erotic heist thriller Motel Destino.
Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival Program >
Also This Week
Eat the Night
Nov 2, 8:00 pm @ Culver Theater
Need even more French cinema? Acropolis Cinema brings this year's films from Cannes' Directors Fortnight to LA--including this story of video-game obsessed teenagers and queer criminals in love, which was also an official selection for the Queer Palm.
Tickets from Acropolis Cinema >
Chasing Chasing Amy
Oct 28, 7:00 pm @ Laemmle Royal
CHASING CHASING AMY explores the transformational impact of a ‘90s rom-com on a 12 year old kid from Kansas, coming of age and contending with queer identity. For young Sav Rodgers, the Kevin Smith cult classic, CHASING AMY, became a life raft. As Rodgers examines the film and its making as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cinema, he finds himself at a complicated crossroads.
Tickets from Laemmle Theatres >
FREE: Merchant Ivory
Oct 29, 5:00 pm @ University of Southern California
Director Stephen Soucy & James Ivory (via Zoom)
This documentary is about life-and-business partners Ismail Merchant and James Ivory who made 43 films together, including A Room with a View (1985), Howards End (1992), and gay romance Maurice (1987). Free and open to the public.
Glen or Glenda
Oct 31, 7:00 pm @ Los Feliz 3
Co-custodian of the Ed Wood, Jr. Estate, Bob Blackburn in person
Program begins with never-before-seen “The Adventures of Ed & Kathy & George & Fran," with an introduction by co-custodian of the Ed Wood, Jr. Estate, Bob Blackburn.
Tickets from American Cinematheque >
Blonde Venus
Nov 2, 7:30 pm @ Academy Museum
Bisexual sexpot Marlene Dietrich, who went from Weimar chorus girl to Hollywood super star, takes the lead as a retired cabaret singer coming back to the stage. Co-starring newcomer (and fellow bisexual, by most accounts) Cary Grant. Presented on nitrate 35mm!
FREE: Mysterious Skin
Double Feature with Terminal USA
Nov 2, 7:30 pm @ Hammer Museum
A gay teenage hustler and another teen obsessed with alien abductions cross paths, together discovering a horrible, liberating truth.
Tickets from UCLA Film & TV Archive >
In Theaters
Emilia Pérez (Opens Nov 1)
Karla Sofía Gascón became the first Trans actor to win a major prize at Cannes, thanks to this extravagant musical about a Mexican drug lord who hires a lawyer to help stage her death and flee the country, in order to transition and live her true life abroad.
Luther: Never Too Much (Opens Oct 30)
This documentary about R&B talent Luther Vandross, which premiered at Sundance this year, explores Vandross' triumphs and struggles, and the media's fascination, with his weight and sexuality.