HARTFORD — Out Film CT, Connecticut’s LGBT film festival kicks off its 29th year. Many of the films will be shown at Cinestudio at Trinity College in Hartford. The closing night films will be shown at Spotlight Theatres on Front Street and the Wadsworth Atheneum.
Friday, June 3 @ 7:30 p.m. -- Me, Myself and Her (Io E Lei)
Something isn’t quite right in Marina’s and Federica’s relationship and it might take more than a new mattress to make it work. After five years together, they share the same apartment, elevator, and face cream. They laugh, they fight, they put up with each other’s families, but even so, they’re not sure if they're still a couple or not. In this charming and lighthearted romantic comedy they try to figure it out.Opening Night Reception follows the films.
Warning: The trailer contains some offensive language.
Saturday, June 4 @ 3 p.m. -- An Act of Love
An Act of Love tells the story of Rev. Frank Schaefer, an unwitting advocate in the fight for equal rights within the United Methodist Church. His ministerial credentials were revoked in December 2013 after he officiated his son’s same-sex wedding. While gay marriage has become secularly legal, some religious institutions are still conflicted. The United Methodist Church’s top legislative body is scheduled to meet at a conference May 10-20, 2016 to debate the church’s stance on gay marriage, making this a very timely documentary that’s not to be missed.
Saturday, June 4 @ 7:30 p.m. -- Summertime (La Belle Saison)
It’s 1971 and change is in the air. Farmer's daughter Delphine moves to Paris to break free from the shackles of her agrarian life and enjoy a taste of freedom. Carole is a Parisian who lives with her boyfriend Manuel and is actively involved in the feminist movement. When Delphine and Carole meet, their lives turn upside down. But Delphine’s father turns ill and she must return to the family farm. Carole surprises her with a visit, which changes their lives forever.
Warning: The trailer contains offensive language.
Saturday, June 4 @ 9:30 p.m. -- Spa Night
A young Korean-American man works to reconcile his obligations to his struggling immigrant family with his burgeoning sexual desires in the underground world of gay hookups at Korean spas in Los Angeles. This family story explores the elusiveness of personal identity and relationship to family traditions in the contemporary world.
Sunday, June 5 @ 3 p.m. -- Summer Nights (Les Nuits d’Été)
This lush and beautiful film is set in France in 1959. Michel has a secret: every weekend he disappears to a second home to become Mylène, under the watchful eye of Flavia, an experienced cross dresser. The house is transformed into Villa Mimi, a rallying point for a small community of gender-bending friends.
Sunday, June 5 @ 7:30 p.m. -- Women He's Undressed
This fascinating documentary is a tribute to legendary Hollywood costume designer Orry-Kelly, who won multiple Academy Awards for his work on such classics as An American in Paris and Some Like It Hot. It explores Orry-Kelly’s life as an openly gay man in the 30’s and 40’s and his secret relationship with Cary Grant.
Monday, June 6 @ 7:30 p.m. -- Men’s Shorts Night!
A troubled teenager uses paint color sample cards to expresses his feelings. Meanwhile, a gay sauna is overrun by zombies, while an intrusive extrovert hooks up with an introvert and then tries to figure out if they have a future together. Then a young man falls in love with his rival during an audition for the school play. After three friends camp out they face surprises the next morning. A guy has a crush on his best friend but there may be a girlfriend in the way, but it’s even more complicated for the Georgian opera singer who must choose between a traditional, arranged marriage and the man he loves. Confused? You won’t be once you watch the Men’s Shorts program!
The films will include:
- True Colours
- Sauna the Dead - A Fairy Tale
- No Strings
- Noam
- More of Last Night
- Weird Is Who's Not Weird
- Zazaland
- The Weigh In
Tuesday, June 7 @ 7:30 p.m. -- Women’s Shorts Night!
An unexpected visit from a mother-in-law during breakfast, a window dresser uses a creative display to send her ex a message, a mother-daughter relationship Singapore style, casual romance in the age of social media, waking up in someone else’s bed with no recollection of last night, a gender-bending Cinderella story with the roles of Cinderella and the Prince reversed, a young woman's double life comes crashing down, an elderly woman living a quiet life visits her old apartment and sees her past. What’s going on? Is blue really the warmest color? You won’t know unless you watch the Women’s Shorts Program!
The films will include:
- Dime
- Vagina Is the Warmest Color
- Baggage
- To Mum (Love, me)
- Trending
- The Kiss
- Mx. Pink
- Late Expectations
- Betty
Wednesday, June 8 @ 7:30 PM - Strike a Pose
The Centerpiece Reception starts before the film at 6:00 p.m. In 1990, seven young male dancers - six gay, one straight - joined Madonna on her most controversial tour. It was the chance of a lifetime and a life-altering experience. On stage and in the iconic film Truth or Dare, Madonna and the dancers showed the world how to ‘express yourself.’ Now, 25 years later, they reveal the truth about life during and after the tour. Strike a Pose is a dramatic tale about overcoming shame and finding the courage to be who you are.
Warning: The trailer contains offensive language.
Thursday, June 9 @ 7:30 p.m. -- That's Not Us
A delectable romantic comedy filled to the brim with drama from three couples - gay, straight, lesbian - That’s Not Us is an intimate portrait of a group of twenty-somethings as they travel to a beach house to enjoy the last days of summer. But what should be a fun beach weekend becomes an exploration of what it takes to sustain a healthy relationship and make love last.
Friday, June 10 @ 7:30 p.m. -- Henry Gamble's Birthday Party
The pastor's son Henry Gamble is turning seventeen, and an eclectic mix of church leaders, Christian youth and some of Henry's un-churched classmates attend his birthday pool party. The potentially explosive group of swimsuit-clad party guests will force church members to confront issues of sexuality and acceptance.
Saturday, June 11 @ 7:30 p.m. – Spotlight Theatres -- Closet Monster
Treading a daring line between the comic and the surreal, this is a fresh, imaginative take on the traditional coming out/coming of age tale. Its hero, Oscar (Connor Jessup) is a cute, conflicted teenager who, at the age of eight, witnessed a hate crime that affected him deeply. As he grows up he struggles with his dawning sexuality—and homophobic father. For comfort and advice he turns to his “spirit animal,” his pet hamster Buffy—who talks to him in the voice of Isabella Rossellini! When he becomes obsessed with Wilder, his hot co-worker at the hardware store, Oscar can’t deny his urges any longer.
Saturday, June 11 @ 7:30 p.m. – Wadsworth Atheneum -- S & M Sally
The creative genius behind Butch Jamie and Heterosexual Jill is back again with another hysterical look at one quirky lesbian’s ongoing search for true love. Jamie and Jill explore the underground world of S & M - both in clubs and within the privacy of their own bedrooms. Meanwhile, their friends David and Lola compete to see who is cool enough to go through with a threesome. Hijinks ensue.
Closing Night Party @ the Wadsworth Atheneum after the films
