feature films a-to-z
61
Amancio: Two Faces on a Tombstone These two stirring documentaries address issues of hate-crime, racism and homophobia in the USA. Total running time: 122 min
Autopsy
Amancio: Two Faces on a Tombstone
Friday, July 10 • 5:15 • Ritz East 1 Sunday, July 12 • 12:15 • Ritz East 2
Sunday, July 12 • 7:00 • Ritz East 2 Philadelphia Premiere USA 2009, 64 min
One man’s dream of becoming a Vegas performer is abruptly cut short when he is attacked and brutally killed in his small hometown of Yuma, Arizona. The news that Amancio Corrales’ body was found floating in the Colorado River instigates a flurry of interest, but it soon fades. Area resident Michael Baughman, refusing to let the hate crime go unsolved, takes it upon himself to ensure justice is served. The truth unfolds through both interviews with Amancio’s family and friends and a recounting of the investigation; it concludes with a staggering verdict. —Jayson Bucy Director: Tom Murray Producer: Bruce Presley Print Source: Lincoln Pirkle
Tom Murray’s Filmography: Almost Myself (2007); Farm Family: In Search of Gay Life in Rural America (2006); Fish Can’t Fly (2005) Playing with...
Dreams Deferred: The Sakia Gunn Story Philadelphia Premiere USA 2009, 58 min
Sakia, a 15-year-old African-American high school student who chose to be openly and unapologetically lesbian, fell victim to a hate crime committed by a black man twice her age. While waiting for the bus, Sakia and her friends were approached lewdly by two men. The girls rebuffed their sexual advances, words were exchanged and the girls were attacked by the armed men. Sakia Gunn was murdered on the streets of Newark for her sexuality. Unlike the Matthew Shepard story, few people outside of Newark have heard of this murder. There are no made-for-cable films about Sakia, no speeches at big fundraising dinners. The difference may be as simple as the color of Sakia’s skin. Dreams Deferred explores not only her murder but also how the media and public respond with horror when a pretty white gay boy has been murdered, but are silent when an AfricanAmerican lesbian is killed. Through court testimony and interviews with Sakia’s family and friends, the film highlights oft-unaddressed issues regarding gender identity, homophobia and racism. —Dudley Best
North American Premiere France 2007, 90 min
Moving with the fast pace of an American action film, this French murder mystery throws in a coming-out tale and gay romance to create a very peculiar cinematic treat. Who’s satisfied by a single genre these days anyway? How about this for a set of characters? Eric is a police commander who comes out of his closet (after 20 years in a straight marriage) with a vengeance, ready for new adventures. His cute teenage son Paco has turned into a delinquent and steals cell phones. His wife Anne is confused, humiliated and angry. His boss, who taught him everything, is dying. Emmanuel, his love interest, is a pathologist examining DNA from sperm found in a corpse’s bowels. Oh, and there’s a lunatic loose in the city and he’s cutting up gay men. Looking for a new experience, Eric and a gorgeous female sidekick attempt to track down and arrest the murderous nut-case. But it all becomes a bit too much for him when he attends the autopsy and passes out into the arms of the hunky Emmanuel. And why not? We all would — as long as we’re not on that autopsy table, face up! Packed with non-stop drama, splendid acting work and an amazingly quick tempo throughout, Autopsy is sensational entertainment and one of the most exciting films in QFest 2009! (French with English subtitles) —Robert Moran Director: Jérôme Anger Cast: Stéphane Freiss, Thierry Neuvic, Sara Martins, Claude Perron, François Civil, Philippe Duclos Screenwriters: Jérôme Anger, Gérard Carré Print Source: AB International Distribution
Jérôme Anger’s Filmography: L’abbaye du revoir (2004)
Director: Charles B. Brack Print Source: Third World Newsreel
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