Reeling, the Chicago gay and lesbian film festival begins November 8 and runs till November 18. The opening night film is, as always, a tittilating tale of forbidden gay-straight love, called Shelter. I think you’re better off to see some of the more intriguing films like the film festival favorite, No Regret, from South Korea, about a male prostitute and his wealthy benefactor; Nina’s Heavenly Delights, from the UK, about an Indian chef who finds true love in the kitchen, a movie that was shown a couple years ago at the Chicago International Film Festival; and No Homos in Iran? The Birthday, about…well, homos in Iran, or to be technical about it, transexuals in Iran. And then there’s Naked Boys Singing…the “art film” version of the “artsy” stage musical, which former NYC mayor Ed Koch recommends. Ed Koch recommending a movie about naked boys singing is like a group on safari staring stunned at a sitting pride of lions. They had him at hello…or at least when they bounce (or flop?) in with the first song of the movie and the play, “Gratuitous Nudity”. And of course what is a gay and lesbian film festival without parties? There are 5-6 parties spread out over the ten days, from shindigs in art galleries like River East, to a karaoke party at Goose Island, to a Bears mixer at an Andersonville B and B…and no this party is not for Bears like Rex Grossman (although I don’t think anyone will mind if he comes bouncing in wearing buttless leather chaps), but Bears as in big, bearded, hairy, sweaty, non-pedicured/non-facialed gay men wearing buttless leather chaps (well, I hope they’re wearing at least those chaps!)
The only other group who can throw a party as good as the gays are Filipinos, so if you’ve gotten your fill of gays, lesbians, trannies, and Bruce Vilanch, and want cocktails and cake after your movies, head on over to the Chopin Theatre for the fourth annual Chicago Filipino American Film Festival, running from November 9-11. The film selection is an eclectic mix of films made in the US by Filipino-American filmmakers as well as representatives from current Philippine cinema. According to Manila-based BFF Andrew, film critic and screenwriter extraordinaire, the film to watch is Blackout, the Philippines’ contribution to the ever growing body of Asian horror films.
Finally, I just wanted to acknowledge the totally unexpected but highly flattering shoutout to this blog from TimeoutChicago Classical Music Editor, Marc Geelhoed, in his blog, Deceptively Simple. I am so thrilled that people other than my friends and family are stumbling into my world of crazy artistic and cultural experiences and hopefully taking something away from it (without requiring a double dose of Tylenol). Check out Marc’s blog for really insightful writing about classical music, opera, and the artistic process. And what other blog will you find out there that has a blog entry title called “Things You Never Expect to Write in a Mahler Review”? Classy and rockin’ (and to find out what those things are, check out Deceptively Simple).
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