MQFF 2010 Program

20TH MELBOURNE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL Driven by Volkswagen

17–28 March 2010 www.mqff.com.au

Proud sponsor of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival

The Volkswagen Golf. This year’s most awarded star.

Australia’s Best Cars Best Mid Sized Car over $30,000 – Golf 118TSI CarsGuide Car of the Year - Golf Drive Car of the Year – Golf 118TSI Drive Best Small Car over $20,000 – Golf 118TSI

To see what all the excitement is about contact your local Volkswagen dealer today.

car of the year

2009

WINNER

Das Auto.

VGA3564/MQFF/A5DPS

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CONTENTS 3

5

6–7

9

11

13

CONTENTS

WELCOME

ticketing information

sponsors

awards

COMPETITIONS

14–15

16–17

19

20–21

opening night

centrepiece presentations

selectors’ choice

closing night

24–45

52–55

features

65

57–63

documentaries

66–67

oz docs

special presentations

68–69

70–71

oz shorts

short & girly

short & burly

74–75

76–77

78–79

72–73 boobtube

femme fatalities

cocktales

84–87

81

83

trans phats

SHORTS SHMORTS

89 celluloid casserole

queeries

94

94

95

96

touring

join form

credits

index

POCKET GUIDE

FESTIVAL LOUNGE

venue maps

sex drives & videotape

festival planner

2010 Melbourne Queer Film Festival Program & Pocket Guide. Published by MQFF ©2010. Design and layout by Beige.

MQFF Office, PO Box 21244, Little Lonsdale St, Victoria 8011 Australia. Email info@mqff.com.au Web www.mqff.com.au

3

WELCOME!

MQFF isn't the only one stiMulating chatter Inspired by notorious Adam Cullen, we bring you The Cullen, the first of six art inspired luxury Melbourne hotels.

Taking pride of place at 164 Commercial Road, Prahran Come and experience unique 5 star luxury suites at The Cullen.

We'll give you something to talk about.

As a valued MQFF guest, special rates apply.

Quote 'Living Fearlessly' on booking.1800 278 468 www.artserieshotels.com.au

WELCOME! Welcome to the 20th birthday celebration of one of the world’s oldest and largest queer film festivals. From its early years being organised from the back of Hares and Hyenas bookstore, to screening at The State Theatre, to graduating to one of the world’s premiere screen culture organisations at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image with audiences of over 25,000, the MQFF has surely come along way.

To celebrate such an amazing milestone we’ve put together an outstanding program of the best queer cinema from the world over – it’s an embarrassment of riches that’s bound to have you mulling over the guide for days. My best advice is to cancel all commitments for the latter part of March and give yourself over to the bumper crop of queer cinema we’ve got to offer throughout the Festival. We’ve definitely improved with age, and our ability to attract the cream of the world’s queer cinema to our city is in no small part due to the unfailing loyalty of Melbourne audiences, and their ability to remain seated for hours at a time – so keep up the good work!

Pop the following highlights on your to do list, and settle in for a fine 12 days of quality queer film perusal. Not to be missed of course are our opening and closing night sessions, which are bookended with a couple of outstanding features from South Korea and Brazil. Antique kicks of the Festival, and promises to be a tasty morsel in more ways than one, while Elvis and Madona is a great example of modern queer cinema with its lesbian/trans crossover romance.

Feature films not to be missed include a record number of Australian premieres such as Children of God (The Bahamas), David’s Birthday (Italy), A Frozen Flower (South Korea), Initiation (Austria) and Prohibited Senses (Belgium), to name but a few. Dare, Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat, Hollywood Je’Taime, Big Gay Musical, and Plan B are just some of the gay blockbuster sessions that you should diarise. And for the gals, make a date with features such as And Then Came Lola, Drool, Hannah Free, We Are the Mods and the world premiere of We Have to Stop Now. There is an outstanding selection of trans highlights to make dates with also, such as A Woman’s Way (Strella), He’s My Girl, Identities and Prodigal Sons. And if it’s a little something out of left field that you’re after, then look no further than the French black comedy King of Escape, and the brand new Brazilian gay incest romance, From Beginning to End. We’re proud to have the film’s director Aluízio Abranches on board as a guest of the Festival.

Award winning queer cinema in the short form stars throughout the program, as usual, with 13 shorts packages on offer for every queer with a short attention span. Book early for these sessions as they’re always popular.

To round out your Festival experience don’t forget our documentary package and panel sessions which cover an eclectic range of topics such as queer politicians, homophobic violence, homophobia in sport, trans issues, rent boys (wouldn’t be a queer film fest without those guys!), masculinity and includes the 20th anniversary screening of the drag ball documentary Paris is Burning.

And don’t restrict yourself to just seeing films. We offer you a huge variety of ways to engage with your Festival, including visits to the legendary Festival Lounge, various Festival competitions, Facebook and Twitter, and the opportunity to vote for your favourite films.

Enjoy your 20th birthday Festival!

Lisa Daniel, Festival Director

5

TICKETING Tickets & Multipasses

No. of Sessions

PRICE incl GST & booking fee Full

Conc.

Member

Valid for these sessions

Single ticket

1

$17

$14

$13

Triple Choc Pass

3

$50

$41

$38

Strawberry Pass

5

$83

$68

$63

Mint Pass

7

$116

$95

$88

Golden Toffee Pass

All

$370

$300

$280

All sessions and events, except Queeries. Special Presentation panels require pre-booking

Opening Night

1

$70

$58

$53

Opening Night film and party (free food and drink), plus entry to After Party at Hoo Haa

Closing Night

1

$28

$23

$21

Closing Night film and party

Queeries

1

$10

$8

$8

Sessions 17, 27, 89

Celluloid Casserole

1

Any session excluding Opening Night and Closing Night

Gala Events

Special ticketed sessions

Gold Coin Donation

Sessions 51, 59

Curated Passes – Your one-stop-shop to the best sessions in the Festival 5

6

$83

$68

$63

Valid only for sessions listed

Director’s Choice Pass

34 43 54 69 79

Prodigal Sons A Frozen Flower 쌍화점 Eyes Wide Open ‫ עיניים פקותות‬ Bamboo House of Dolls 女集中营 Edie and Thea

Sunday 21 Mar, 4pm Monday 22 Mar, 6pm Tuesday 23 Mar, 8.15pm Friday 26 Mar, 6pm Saturday 27 Mar, 2pm

Lazy Lesbian’s Pass

09 37 58 71 85

Prohibited Sens Sens Interdits We Have to Stop Now The Fish Child El Niño Pez Drool And Then Came Lola

Friday 19 March, 8pm p.41 Sunday 21 March, 6.15pm p.44 Wednesday 24 March, 6pm p.16 Friday 26 March, 8.15pm p.28 Saturday 27 March, 8pm p.24

Lazy Bugger’s Pass

22 47 54 64 72

Dare Saturday 20 Mar, 6pm Plan B Monday 22 Mar, 9pm Tuesday 23 Mar, 8.15pm Eyes Wide Open ‫ עיניים פקותות‬ From Beginning To End Do Começo Ao Fim Thursday 25 Mar, 6.15pm Hollywood Je’Taime Friday 26 Mar, 8.15pm

p.27 p.40 p.30 p.17 p.34

Lazy Tran's Pass

14 34 46 76 94

Trans Phats shorts Prodigal Sons A Woman’s Way Στρελλα Identities Beautiful Darling

p.81 p.55 p.44 p.53 p.52

Saturday 20 Mar, noon Sunday 21 Mar, 4pm Monday 22 Mar, 9pm Saturday 27 Mar, noon Sunday 28 Mar, 2.30pm

p.55 p.31 p.30 p.25 p.53

TICKETING Ticket outlets

Ticket collection

Our secure 24/7 online ticketing facility.

Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne. ph 03 8663 2583 Open daily 10am–6pm (later during the Festival).

Hares & Hyenas, 63 Johnston St, Fitzroy. Open Mon–Wed 10am–7pm, Thu–Sat 10am–7.30pm, Sun 12pm–7pm.

Greater Union, 131 Russell St. Door sales only. Box office open 30 min prior to the start of each day’s first session.

Pre-booked tickets for Greater Union must be picked up from ACMI.

All pre-booked Festival tickets* can be collected from the MQFF box office at ACMI. Box office is open daily from Thursday 18 March, 30 minutes prior to the start of each day’s first session. *Includes Greater Union sessions Opening Night tickets are available at the Astor Theatre box office, open 1 hour prior to the screening on Wed 17 March.

General Ticketing rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Standby tickets

• Prices include GST & booking fee.

• Can I buy a multipass and decide on the sessions I want to see later?

No, you must select the sessions when you buy the pass.

‘Standby’ seats are made available immediately prior to a sold out session. Most sessions listed as sold out will have a limited number of tickets available for sale due to the holding of seats for Golden Toffee Pass holders. Once Golden Toffee Pass holders and all other ticket holders are seated, spare seats will be sold.

• A session ticket or Golden Toffee Pass is required to enter each film.

• Multipasses can only be used to purchase single tickets to separate sessions. Multipasses cannot be used to purchase multiple tickets to a single session.

• Seating is unreserved. We encourage patrons to arrive early.

• Laws governing film festivals mean that all audience members must be 18 years or over, with the exception of Queeries (patrons 15 years and over are permitted).

• No refunds or cancellations given unless a session is moved or cancelled.

• One concession ticket per card holder will apply on presentation of valid card. When picking up pre-booked tickets, please present your concession card. Valid concessions: full time students, healthcare card holders, Senior’s Card, City of Melbourne Companion Card, members of Melbourne International Film Festival, ACMI and Classic Cinema.

• MQFF members receive discounts and priority service. To become a member, use the form on p.94.

Secure Parking Flinders Gate Festival Discount Parking Offer see p.50 for details

• Can I use a multipass to buy more than 1 ticket to the same session?

No, multipasses can only be used once per session.

• I’m a member but my partner is not, can I still buy their tickets using my membership card for discounts?

No, benefits are not transferable.

• Can I print out my tickets at home?

No, just print the order confirmation and present it at the ACMI box office.

• How soon can I collect my tickets after I book them online?

Within half an hour.

• What if I change my mind about the movie I want to see? Or I accidentally chose the wrong film?

Can I change my selection?

Sorry, no. Choose carefully as there are are no refunds or exchanges given unless a session is moved or cancelled.

Standby tickets are only available at the ACMI and Greater Union box offices prior to the session on a cash only basis 30 minutes prior to the session, the box office will hand out Standby Reservation Numbers which will form the queue to purchase Standby tickets when they become available.

The Standby queue is processed as quickly as possible, and we generally get all patrons into the session. In very busy sessions some patrons may miss the first minute or two of the film.

To avoid disappointment, we suggest you book early!

Golden Toffee Pass rules • Your laminated pass must be shown for entry to each session.

• Golden Toffee Passes are strictly non-transferable.

• You are requested to be seated 15 minutes before the beginning of each session. Your reserved seat may be sold if the session is booked out.

• All Special Presentation sessions (films with panels) must be pre-booked (for no extra fee). Please contact MQFF (ph 9662 4147) or specify which sessions you will be attending on the member’s booking form.

• Golden Toffee Pass holders must purchase tickets to Queeries sessions.

7

A unique insight into the life and times of a living legend – his films, his art and his exceptional private collection.

Major exhibition featuring original artworks by:

DENNIS HOPPER ANDY WARHOL ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG BRUCE CONNER

JENNY HOLZER JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT ED RUSCHA ROY LICHTENSTEIN

Open daily 10am-6pm Until Sunday 25 April 2010 Australian Centre for the Moving Image Federation Square, Melbourne www.acmi.net.au

Roy Lichtenstein, Mad Scientist, 1963. Oil on canvas. Museum Ludwig, Cologne

SPONSORS

Presenting Partner

Sponsors Principal Partner

prahran market clinic

Cultural Partner

Supporters

Travel Partners

Major Partners

Major Media Partners

Festival Partners

9

Train Trak Winery, in the heart of the Yarra Valley, only 50 minutes from Melbourne, is a spacious hideaway among the vines, featuring extensive lawns, amazing panoramic views, premium wines, authentic Italian cuisine and wood fired pizzas.

The perfect place for a sunny afternoon or rainy day around the fireplace.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, public holidays and by appointment 957 Healesville Yarra Glen Rd, Yarra Glen, Victoria Cellar Door ph 03 9730 1314 Zonzo Ristorante ph 03 9730 2500 info@traintrak.com.au Visit our website to order any of the Train Trak wines you’ve tasted at MQFF Festival Lounge.

www.traintrak.com.au

AWARDS With over $11,000 in cash to give away to deserving filmmakers across six awards, please take the time to cast your votes for your favourite films in this year’s Festival.

Voting forms are available at ACMI Cinemas and the Festival Lounge, or you can vote online at www.mqff.com.au.

Audience Choice Awards Sponsored by Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film

MQFF and Volkswagen

$5000

MQFF and MQFF Life Member David McCarthy

$2500

MQFF and Karen Russell, Step Right Up

$1000

All feature films in the Festival are eligible. +

+

+

Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary All documentaries of 45 minutes and over in the Festival are eligible. +

+

Audience Choice Award for Best Australian Short Film All films screening in the Oz Shorts session are eligible.

Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film

All short narrative films in the Festival are eligible (except those screening in Celluloid Casserole). +

Prize money

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

$500

+

Jury Awards The City of Melbourne Emerging Filmmaker Award for Best Australian Short Queer Film

City of Melbourne

All films screening in the Oz Shorts session are eligible.

The award will be announced at the second session of Oz Shorts on Saturday 27 March (Session 83). See p.66 for this year’s judges.

Selectors’ Choice Award for Best Australian Short Queer Film

$2000 + return airfare to LA courtesy of V Australia

$500

All films screening in the Celluloid Casserole package are eligible. The award will be announced at the second session of Celluloid Casserole at Loop on Wednesday 24 March (Session 59).

The winner of The City of Melbourne Emerging Filmmaker Award for Best Australian Short Queer Film qualifies for automatic inclusion in the Iris Prize, the world’s largest prize for gay and lesbian short film.

The winner of the Iris Prize receives £25,000 to make their next short film in the UK. www.irisprize.org Pictured: 2009 City of Melbourne Emerging Filmmaker Award winner Jacqui Schulz (right) with Lisa Daniel, MQFF Festival Director, Cr Jennifer Kanis (City of Melbourne) and Neil Robertson (V Australia).

11

COMPETITIONS WIN A TRIP FOR 2 TO HOLLYWOOD!

20TH ANNIVERSARY MAJOR COMPETITION Worth over $10,000

Purchase a ticket to any session at this year's Festival to go in the draw to win our big 20th Anniversary prize:

Runs from 25 February–30 March

<< 2 x return international premium economy flights from Melbourne to Los

Angeles, flying V Australia.

<< 4 x nights accommodation at West Hollywood Ramada Hotel.

How to enter Once you've purchased your 2010 Festival tickets, head to the competition page on our website (www.mqff.com.au) and tell us your favourite MQFF memory in 50 words or less. It can be a Festival memory from last century, last decade or just last week!

Conditions apply. See website for terms & conditions.

FESTIVAL RAFFLE 1st Prize worth over $4,000 Runner up prizes worth $180 ea.

Runs from 18 March–28 March

WIN LOADS OF GREAT STUFF IN OUR RAFFLE It wouldn't be a Festival without one of our giant raffles, and 2010 is no exception with a rich collection of great prizes from our wonderful sponsors.

For your chance to scoop the prize pool, look out for the MQFF volunteers selling tickets in and around the Festival.

1st Prize << Volkswagen Golf for a week of driving pleasure. << Luxury weekend for 2 at one of the fabulous Art Series five star hotels in Melbourne. << Showbiz Theatre Prize Pack – tickets to some of the best musicals playing in Melbourne. << Joy 94.9 CD pack. << Love Films DVD pack. << Train Trak wine pack. << ACMI exhibition and ticket pack.

MEMBERS' COMPETITION Worth over $4,000 Runs from 17 January–17 March

YS

PR

ES

A IN 60 D

<< Love Films DVD pack. << Joy 94.9 CD. << ACMI exhibition and

ticket pack.

Conditions apply to some prizes.

See website for terms & conditions.

60 PRIZES IN 60 DAYS Volkswagen is celebrating the MQFF’s 20th Anniversary by giving you the chance to win one of 60 double MQFF movie passes, every day between Midsumma Carnival (17 January) and Opening Night (17 March).

Only MQFF Members are eligible so make sure you join or renew for your chance to win!

IZ

Runner Up Prizes (x3)

Enter online at www.mqff.com.au.

You only need to enter once to be automatically entered in the draw every day. All entries, including daily winners, go into the draw for the Major Prize, drawn on Opening Night.

Major Prize << MQFF 2010 Closing

Night film and party tickets for 4 people – with VIP reserved seating.

<< Chauffeur driven Volkswagen to

and from Closing Night. << A weekend for 2 at Melbourne’s

newest luxury hotel, Art Series The Cullen.

<< Secure Parking Flinders Gate 24/7

parking pass during the Festival. << Dinner at Hoo Haa where you can

eat, drink and dance. << Wine pack from Train Trak Winery.

Conditions apply to all prizes. See website.

13

OPENING NIGHT

14

FILM & PARTY

ANTIQUE Sayangkoldong Yangkwajajeom Aentikeu

서양골동양과자점 앤티크

Dir: Min Kyu-dong, South Korea, 2008, 35mm, 109 min Korean with English subtitles Warning: This film contains scenes that are guaranteed to generate EXTREME food envy. Please be prepared to head straight to your favourite cake shop!

As heir to a vast family fortune, Jin-hyuk has money, looks and charm – everything except the love of his life. So he sets up a cake shop, Antique, where he thinks women are sure to frequent! He hires Sun-woo, a talented patissier just returned from Paris, and who had a crush on him back in high school. Along with an ex-boxing champion and a clueless bodyguard, the young men stir up their quiet neighbourhood and the shop becomes a huge success.

Although seemingly carefree and happy, each of the four men have mysterious pasts that they are afraid to face, and their secrets slowly begin to unravel. But the real drama unfurls when Sun-woo’s ex from Paris shows up, and attempts to lure Sun-woo back to the City of Love.

Unpredictable, wildly inventive and utterly sumptuous in its production design, cinematography and cast – the four lead men were chosen for their looks, and yes, they are all beautiful, but are also wonderful actors – Antique is absolutely delicious. (PT) Followed by our Gala Opening Night Party at the Astor. session date

ON

Wed 17 March

astor THEATRE, st kilda

time

7.30pm

After the Astor, join us at Hoo Haa for the After Party.

105 Chapel St, Windsor (upstairs)

15

CENTREPIECE

THE FISH CHILD EL NIÑO PEZ Dir: Lucía Puenzo, France/Spain, 2008, 35mm, 96 min Spanish with English subtitles

Presented by

Puenzo’s debut feature was 2007’s critically acclaimed and multi award-winning intersex drama XXY (which took home the Critics' Week Grand Prize at Cannes and screened at MQFF 2008 Closing Night).

For her follow-up she has adapted her own novel to tell a searing tale of a passionate lesbian love affair strong enough to withstand class difference, incarceration, abuse and murder.

Born into a life of privilege and affluence Lala (the remarkable Inés Efron, who also played the lead in XXY and is no relation to Zac!), first saw the family’s Paraguayan maid, Ailin/Guayi, at the age of 13 and, as she tells a friend, has had eyes for no one else ever since. Puenzo draws exquisite and courageous performances from both of her lead actresses, as well as the supporting cast. She has set herself quite a task – the film encompasses endemic corruption, classism, sexual abuse and much more, while also dipping into magic and superstition: the title refers to a mythical figure believed to help drowning people find their way to the bottom of the lake.

That Puenzo pulls all these threads together is testament to her skill as a filmmaker. Pay attention though, because she also uses a non-linear construction, making frequent use of flashback in this engrossing and powerful drama. (MS) session date

58

Wed 24 March

ACMI Cinemas

16

time

6pm

PRESENTATIONS

FROM BEGINNING TO END DO COMEÇO AO FIM Dir: Aluízio Abranches, Brazil, 2009, 35mm, 96 min Portuguese and Spanish with English subtitles

Presented by

One of the most controversial films in this year’s Festival, causing a stir in its native Brazil, is From Beginning To End, a drama that delves into a passionate relationship between two brothers. Francisco is five when his brother, Thomás, is born. They share the same mother, Julieta, but different fathers. From the start the boys are close, and always show affection for each other – constantly hugging and even falling asleep in each others’ arms. When the boys take a trip to Buenos Aires to visit Francisco’s father, Pedro, the Argentinean disapproves of the boys’ behaviour, insisting to their mother that the boys are ‘too intimate’. But Julieta pays no heed to her former husband’s warning. Fifteen years later, on the night of Julieta’s funeral, the brothers’ affections for each other are taken to an overtly sexual level. When Thomás is invited to Russia for 3 years to train for the Olympic swimming team, the brothers must make a tough decision – stay together for love, or part to enable Thomás to take up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Bold in its theme, this melodrama is not afraid to tackle an issue few films face. However, this is not a gritty, low-rent, morality tale; the sun is forever shining, everyone thrives in a wealthy lifestyle, and the adult brothers are pin-up worthy gorgeous. Unashamedly romantic, and, like its two protagonists, unafraid of the consequences, From Beginning To End is bound to be one of this year’s talking points. (PT)

Official Selection, Berlin Film Festival 2010 International premiere Director Aluízio Abranches is a guest of the Festival and will be in attendance. session date

64

Thu 25 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6.15pm 17

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SELECTORS’ CHOICE Each year, the MQFF Selection Panel wades through hundreds of submissions and ponders their favourite session of the Festival. It’s a purely subjective choice, based on the film’s ability to elicit a strong emotional response, not necessarily on its brilliant camera angles and car chases. This year our panel has selected a documentary by legendary and prolific Canadian filmmaker John Greyson that has to be seen on the big screen to be fully appreciated. It's an almost indescribable adventure of subject matter and filmic styles.

Please join the MQFF selection panel for an informal chat and a drink in the Festival Lounge immediately following the session. They’ll be happy to answer questions about the MQFF selection process.

FIG TREES Dir: John Greyson, Canada, 2009, video, 104 min Even though his films can be conventionally described in a few words – Zero Patience (1993) as an AIDS musical, Proteus (2003) as an inter-racial South African love story, and so on… – there is nothing remotely conventional about John Greyson’s films. Wry, intelligent, entertaining and thought provoking, each film by this maverick Canadian iconoclast builds upon the last in an exploration of discovery. Fig Trees is Greyson’s latest masterpiece, a film that again can be summed up succinctly – an HIV/AIDS activist documentary opera – but like his other films it really does defy simple categorisation and has to be seen, and heard, to be believed.

In 1988, Canadian Tim McCaskell was one of the founders of AIDS Action Now, a group formed to raise the public's awareness of AIDS issues through public actions and campaigns. In 1999, South African AIDS activist Zackie Achmat went on a treatment strike, refusing to take his pills until they were widely available to all South Africans. These two remarkable men are interviewed throughout the film, and are used as the basis of a re-imagining of Gertrude

Stein and Virgil Thomson's 1934 avant-garde classic opera Four Saints in Three Acts. Documentary interviews, speeches, press conferences and demonstrations are sampled, taken apart, and set to music, replayed this time as operatic scenes. A surreal fictional narrative is intercut with the stories of their struggles against government and the pharmaceutical industry.

In this heady mix, history is fluid, and Greyson uses a dizzying array of techniques, centred on the idea of palindromes to tease and subvert opera and cinematic conventions. Humour is always present – there is a selection of the Top 100 AIDS Songs and the film is narrated by an albino squirrel – and the viewer is in such sure hands with Greyson that even if you’re not an opera buff, you will still derive much pleasure from this visually and aurally stunning achievement. (PT)

Australian premiere Winner Teddy Award Best Documentary, 2009 Berlin International Film Festival session date

63

Thu 25 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm

19

CLOSING NIGHT

ELVIS AND MADONA ELVIS E MADONA Dir: Marcelo Laffitte, Brazil, 2009, video, 105 min Portuguese with English subtitles In this romantic comedy set in Copacabana, Elvis is a lesbian photographer who takes part time work delivering pizzas on a motorbike to make ends meet. During her first delivery she meets transwoman Madona, a hairdresser/stage performer who has been beaten by her dead-beat partner João, a porn actor and drug dealer who stole all the savings that she'd put aside to pay for her dream show.

The two become instant friends and then doe eyed lovers – a situation that Elvis finds difficult to deal with at first. The situation is further complicated when Elvis gets pregnant, and needs to decide whether she wants the child or not. In addition to Elvis’ dilemma, Madona is tempted to go back to making porn to recover money to pay for the show, and João lurks on the periphery. Will Elvis and Madona overcome the obstacles in this truly modern queer love story? (LD) session date time

International premiere

Followed by our Closing Night Party in the Festival Lounge.

20

CN

Sun 28 March

ACMI Cinemas

8.30pm

FILM & PARTY

21

MINI SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES NOW ON SALE Choose three or more plays from the eleven on offer in the 2010 Season and enjoy all the benefits of booking early – great seats, great savings and a year of great theatre.

Buy subscriptions online at mtc.com.au or call 03 8688 0800 for more information.

SEASON 2010 INCLUDES:

BOSTON MARRIAGE

DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE

ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER

BY DAVID MAMET

BY SARAH RUHL

In need of money, Anna is considering a marriage of financial convenience; in need of satisfaction, Claire wants to consummate her crush on a young girl she’s recently met. Both, then, have causes for jealousy and both, regrettably, have tart tongues.

When the man next to her in a café fails to answer his mobile phone, Jean discovers that he is seriously incommunicado. Feeling some responsibility for the stranger and wanting to offer some comfort to the dead man’s family, what can she do but keep answering the phone?

A PLAY BY SAMUEL ADAMSON

4 JUNE TO 17 JULY the Arts Centre, Fairfax With Pamela Rabe

26 JUNE TO 7 AUGUST MTC Theatre, Sumner With Matt Day

BASED ON THE FILM BY PEDRO ALMODóVAR When her seventeen year-old son dies, Manuela leaves her job and takes to the road to search for her son’s father. In Barcelona, she becomes involved with three woman in crisis: a young nun, a famous actress and a drag queen. But what will help her overcome her guilt and grief for a lost child?

14 AUGUST TO 26 SEPTEMBER MTC Theatre, Sumner With Wendy Hughes, Paul Capsis & Blake Davis Production Partner

MTC is a department of the University of Melbourne

FEATURES

AMERICAN PRIMITIVE

AND THEN CAME LOLA

Dir: Gwendolyn Wynne, USA, 2009, video, 93 min

Dir: Ellen Seidler & Megan Siler, USA, 2009, video, 73 min

1973, Cape Cod, USA. Harry Goodhart, recently widowed, has come to Cape Cod to begin a new life. He has set up a business called ‘American Primitive’, crafting traditional folkart furniture with Theo, his lover. However, the two men cannot live openly as a couple, and in fact Harry is fearful of even coming out. Although the sexual revolution has begun, the American Psychiatric Association still deems homosexuality a mental disorder. The problem for Harry is that his two teenage daughters, Maddy and Daisy, have come to live with him, and if his sexuality, and relationship with Theo, is found out, he faces the very real prospect of losing custody of his children.

Owing a huge (tongue in) cheeky debt to 1998’s Run, Lola Run, this first feature from the do-it-all duo (credited for writing, directing, producing and operating the camera) Seidler and Siler is as light as a soufflé and frothier than a cappuccino. It’s also as delicious as both, but much sexier than either! Ashleigh Sumner displays buckets of charisma as the eponymous Lola, a somewhat shiftless and perpetually unpunctual photographer who doesn’t like to be tied down, but is on the cusp of finally uttering the C word (we’re talking about commitment – keep yourselves nice) with her current squeeze, Casey (Jill Bennett).

The film’s plot revolves around Lola trying to get some photographic prints to Casey in time for an important job opportunity. Said opportunity is being offered by Casey’s silky smooth ex-girlfriend (Cathy DeBuono), so there’s a little more at stake than simply a graphic design contract.

And did we mention that Lola has to run through the whole rigmarole several times? With different obstacles and outcomes on each occasion? (MS)

Seen through the eyes of Maddy, who has all the dramas of attending a new school (boys, first love, acceptance), American Primitive is a finely drawn, semi-autobiographical melodrama from Gwen Wynne. With a wonderful cast – Tate Donovan as Harry is particularly effective as a man who simply wants to lead a happy, harmonious life – and a beautiful seaside location, American Primitive is a touching and heartfelt film. (PT) session date

02

Thu 18 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6.15pm

Presented by

PLUS:

FRESH AIR THERAPY FRISCHLUFT THERAPIE Dir: Christoph Scheermann, Germany, 2009, video, 6 min German with English subtitles Two women maintain the rage at couple’s counselling.

What the therapist tries for months, is achieved by a sudden incident in the dark. session date

08 85

Fri 19 March Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas

24

time

6.15pm 8pm

FEATURES

ANDER

BAMBOO HOUSE OF DOLLS NU JI

Dir: Roberto Castón, Spain, 2009, 35mm, 128 min Spanish and Basque with English subtitles An emotionally resonant and satisfying drama set in the lush Basque countryside, Ander has been the toast of the film festival circuit since its award-winning debut at the Berlin Film Festival last year.

Ander, a farmer in his 40s, lives with his mother and sister.

His existence is simple and monotonous, tending the fields and working part-time at a local bicycle factory, and it’s not helped by his mother’s nagging that he should be partnered off, like his sister, 14 years his junior, whose nuptials are forthcoming. When Ander breaks his leg, he hires José, a young Peruvian man, to assist with the farm-work, despite the protestations of his mother, who distrusts foreigners. This is a world where everyone knows their place – men are expected to act in a certain way and women fall in line – but José’s arrival disrupts the delicate balance. The attraction between the two men is palpable, and it’s only a matter of time before desire overwhelms them, but at what Presented by cost? (PT)

Official selection 2009 Berlinale Panorama session date

44

Mon 22 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm

ZHONG YING 女集中营

Dir: Kuei Chih-Hung, Hong Kong, 1973, video, 107 min Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles Arguably one of the sleaziest of all exploitation genres is the women in prison film. Hong Kong’s legendary Shaw Brothers production Bamboo House of Dolls is considered one of the greatest women in prison films ever made, having been called "the ultimate chain-gang kung-fu caper flick" and "a great piece of Hong Kong filth that just can't be beat!" What more could anyone ask for in a babes-behind-bars film which also stars one of Asia’s most popular Scandinavian sex kittens of the time, Brite Tove?

The grindhouse action takes place in the 1940s – yet the fashion and sensibility are firmly rooted in the 1970s – as Japanese troops make mincemeat of Chinese resistance fighters, and carry off Chinese girls and voluptuous Caucasian nurses to a prison camp. All the while the camera pauses lovingly on bulging breasts and panty lines to the tune of a sitar-cum-psychedelic soundtrack which will no doubt cause a few disturbing flashbacks. The prison is a cess-pit of sexploitation, gratuitous nudity and catfights in the shower, as the nymphets are bound and whipped, forced into slavery and sex, and tortured by the SM-obsessed lesbian prison warden, Mako. Eventually, the gals manage to escape their prison hell in search of stolen gold, but is there a traitor in their midst?

If you’re looking for lesbian melodrama, soft lighting and delicate kisses, then this film is definitely not for you. But if you’re up for some savage exploitation fun, and a festival of tiny negligee prison outfits, then you’ll enjoy the camp extravaganza that is Bamboo House of Dolls. (LD)

Warning: contains scenes of brutality and sexual violence that may offend some viewers. session date

69

Fri 26 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm 25

FEATURES

BANDAGED

THE BIG GAY MUSICAL

Dir: Maria Beatty, Germany, 2009, video, 92 min German with English subtitles

Dir: Casper Andreas, USA, 2009, video, 90 min

Teenaged Lucille is determined to go to college and study poetry, but her autocratic, smothering surgeon father, and complicit grandmother, demand she studies sciences so she may follow the career path of her father. Desperate to escape her caged bird existence, she attempts suicide but fails, and is left with a horribly disfigured face. In a madscientist way, her father watches over her recovery and reconstructive surgeries at home, but must hire a nurse he can trust to keep his secret and tend to his daughter.

Before long, 30-something Joan arrives to care for Lucille, and their regular luxurious sponge baths inevitably lead to a heated sexual affair between the two women, and extreme measures are required to keep the affair secret.

Maria Beatty’s cinematic aesthetic has been likened to the experimental, symbolic, and sexually charged cinematography of Jean Genet and Kenneth Anger. With queer horror luminaries Abel Ferrara and Jurgen Bruning on board in the production departments, we’re treated to a smorgasbord of exploitation and manipulation, along with a strong sense of the absurd that help make this an out of the box lesbian horror film. (LD) session date

31

Sun 21 March

ACMI Cinemas

26

time

2pm

When Paul and Eddie begin previews Presented by for the new Off-Broadway musical Adam and Steve Just the Way God Made ‘Em, they find their lives imitating art.

Paul is looking for the perfect man and Eddie is dealing with how he can reconcile his sexuality with his faith.

After yet another disastrous dating experience, Paul has an epiphany and decides he’s done dating and just wants to be a slut like the sexy chorus boys. Eddie comes to terms with telling his fundamentalist parents that he’s gay and is starring in a show that calls the Bible the Breeder’s Informational Book of Living Examples. While Eddie comes out to his family, Paul's manhunt project threatens to stall before it starts. But after musical numbers with scantilyclad tap dancing angels, a re-telling of Genesis, teleevangelists, a camp that attempts to turn gay kids straight, and a bunch of show-tunes, everyone realises that life gets better once they accept who they really are. Opening and closing queer film fests the world over, and with great original tunes with titles like ‘I Wanna Be a Slut’, and ‘God Loves Gays’, The Big Gay Musical is campy fun. session date

04 70

Thu 18 March Fri 26 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

8.15pm 6.15pm

FEATURES

CHILDREN OF GOD

DARE

Dir: Kareem Mortimer, The Bahamas, 2010, video, 103 min

Dir: Adam Salky, USA, 2009, video, 100 min

On the surface, The Bahamas is paradise; crystal clear waters surround its islands, the sand is blindingly white and the sun endlessly beats down. But the country is blighted by widespread homophobia. Openly gay filmmaker Kareem Mortimer has made a number of films in his country dealing with LGBTI issues, and Children of God is his latest, and most acclaimed, work.

A sensuous and moving drama, it is highlighted by strikingly lush visuals and a remarkable cast.

With graduation fast approaching, preppy teen Alexa is jolted by the realisation that her school play acting skills are for nought if she hasn’t really lived first. So she does what any high-school girl would do: dies a streak in her plain brown hair and seduces the school’s bad boy hunk, Johnny. Meanwhile, Alexa's nerdy best friend, Ben, happily discovers that Johnny plays for both teams after an awkward, eye-opening sexual encounter at – where else but – a dimly lit swimming pool. In their own way, each lead character cuts against the typecast moulds of their own making in an awkward yet deliberate search for self.

Jonny is a gay, white student studying art in the capital, Nassau. Withdrawn and depressed, he travels to the picturesque island of Eleuthera under the advice of his lecturer, in order to gain some inspiration. Lena is an anti-gay activist, whose preacher husband has given her a sexually transmitted disease. Distraught, she takes her young child to Eleuthera to rally the island community in her toxic cause. Also on the boat to the island is Romeo, who has similarly escaped the capital and his controlling family and girlfriend for some fresh perspective. He meets Jonny and the two handsome men are instantly attracted, embarking on an affair and restoring their love of life. But with Romeo’s family bearing down on them, and Lena’s homophobic crusade gaining momentum, will they be able to find their own piece of paradise? (PT)

Director Adam Salky deftly cuts Dare into three neat segments, each one progressing the film from one of the key protagonist’s perspectives. Despite the inevitable high-school sexual antics, Dare easily locates its sweet and tender side. A poignant moment when the three high-school seniors snuggle up and watch TV with Ben’s folks speaks volumes about the fearful dash to adulthood.

Ultimately, Dare is an honest film that impresses with wit and well-realised characters. (BZ)

2009 LA Outfest Closing Night film session date

22 88

Sat 20 March Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm 10.30pm

Australian premiere session date

07 56

Fri 19 March Tue 23 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm 10.15pm 27

FEATURES

DAVID’S BIRTHDAY IL COMPLEANNO DROOL Dir: Marco Filiberti, Italy, 2009, video, 106 min Italian with English subtitles Two forty-something married couples head to the sunny Italian coast for the perfect holiday destination. A large spacious house, with a golden sand beach on the doorstep, awaits. Diego and Shary are enjoying the ‘empty nest’ quiet life, while Matteo and Francesca’s relationship appears serene and calm. Small squabbles are put aside with the arrival of Diego and Shary’s young and buff son, David, a model of sumptuous beauty. It soon becomes apparent that Matteo – whilst clearly passionate with his wife – has one eye on his friends' son.

In the long tradition of quality European cinema, David’s Birthday is pitch perfect with its nuanced plot, understated dialogue and dramatic tension. As Matteo’s internal life unravels, cleverly hinted at through scenes of him treating a patient in his job as a psychoanalyst, the film takes on shards of Death In Venice (1971) and American Beauty (1999). Against the operatic score of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, David’s Birthday delivers perhaps cinema history’s most tensely crafted climax. Even if you know it’s coming, it’s nail-biting stuff all the same. (BZ)

Australian premiere session date

52

Tue 23 March

greater union Cinemas, russell st

28

time

8.30pm

Dir: Nancy Kissam, USA, 2009, video, 88 min It’s eight years since Laura Harring joined Naomi Watts to create one of cinema’s greatest ever Sapphic pairings in David Lynch’s masterpiece Mulholland Drive (2001). And now she’s back. Drool is a very different movie – although it does also turn on Harring’s character being rescued from an untenable position by a wonderful woman. Written and directed by first-timer Kissam, Drool is a gleeful black comedy wearing a technicolour dreamcoat.

Anora (Harring) is a downtrodden wife with a fairytale fantasy life, who gets to live it for real when the effervescent Imogene (Jill Marie Jones) knocks on her door and invites her for coffee. What transpires includes an accidentally disposed of husband, a couple of disgruntled children and a cross country trip to meet the queen of a beauty products empire, a woman fabulous enough to have popped straight out of a John Waters movie. (MS)

"Under its outrageous plot, which includes racism, domestic violence, high school blowjobs, homicide and lots of masturbation, Drool is a sweetnatured story of familial love" Monica Nolan, Frameline Festival 2009 session date

23 71

Sat 20 March Fri 26 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

8pm 8.15pm

FEATURES

EATING OUT 3: ALL YOU CAN EAT

AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK

Dir: Glenn Gaylord, USA, 2009, video, 82 min

Dir: Richard Laxton, UK, 2008, video, 75 min

The wildly popular Eating Out franchise Presented by is back with its most outrageous film yet – Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat. Blonde bombshell Tiffani is distracted from her brief moment of grief at the funeral of her close friend by the arrival in town of hunky, but unlucky in love, Casey. With some encouragement he attends the local Gay and Lesbian Centre and bumps into hottie Zack. After a disastrous attempt to nab a date with Zack, Casey finds deception suits him best when he pretends to be someone else on a dating site to lure the none-thewiser Zack. Of course it all goes horribly wrong, but the revolving beds and barely clothed hot boy action that ensue make for laugh out loud fun along the way to the ending we all hope for and expect.

Spearheaded by John Hurt’s commanding performance as Quentin Crisp, An Englishman In New York charts the later years of the pioneering author and performer.

With a mostly gay cast rounded out by queer film stalwart Mink Stole, Leslie Jordan (Will and Grace, Sordid Lives) and Rebekah Kochan (Eating Out 1 and 2), Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat keeps the series well and truly alive. session date

12 50

Fri 19 March Tue 23 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

10.15pm 6.15pm

Crisp’s The Naked Civil Servant was a hit both as a book in 1972 and a movie three years later – which starred Hurt in his breakthrough role – and in 1981, at the age of 72, he was asked to perform in New York. His one-man show, How to Be A Happy Person, was an underground success, and he quickly became the toast of the NYC social scene, throwing out bon-mots and words of wisdom with abandon. The gay scene was flourishing, an era of celebration that was soon to be quelled by the onslaught of HIV-AIDS. While his performances were moved to bigger venues, Crisp’s steadfast personal policy of “never to lie, never to defend” was almost his undoing with his infamous line that “AIDS is a fad”. Dropped by his magazine editor, Crisp’s eyes were opened to the reality of the epidemic when a young fan, painter Patrick Angus, succumbed to the disease. However, his fame was not over – in fact far from it. In the late ‘90s avant-garde artist Penny Lane, played by Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon joined Crisp on-stage for a series of shows that brilliantly displayed this remarkable icon’s formidable talents. (PT) PLUS:

SOMBRERO Dir: Nathaniel Atcheson, USA, 2008, video, 12 min An awkward blind date in a Mexican restaurant quickly takes a turn toward the absurd. session date

10

Fri 19 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

8.15pm 29

FEATURES

EYES WIDE OPEN EINAYM PKUHOT ‫עיניים פקותות‬ Dir: Haim Tabakman, Israel, 2009, 35mm, 109 min Hebrew with English subtitles Aaron, a respectable butcher in Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, is married to Rivka and is a dedicated father of four children. When his father dies, it’s his responsibility to run the family butcher shop and in need of assistance he advertises for some help. Enter Ezri, a handsome 22-year-old student, who catches Aaron’s eye and is hired. Ezri has travelled to Jerusalem to see an ex-boyfriend, but his former lover wants nothing to do with him. Homeless, Ezri is offered the room above the shop to stay in until he can find accommodation. The two men work in close quarters and their mutual attraction is palpable. Before long they begin an affair, using the upstairs room for their clandestine meetings. However, Rivka suspects her husband of wrongdoing, and word starts to spread of their taboo behaviour. Aaron has the most to lose from the affair, but with his eyes wide open, he continues on, even with the threat of the ‘morality police’ – a dangerous and violent group who enforces their ‘laws’ away from the police - around every corner. Aaron welcomes Ezri into his life and experiences an awakening, but is it religious or sexual, or both, and at what cost?

This debut feature from Haim Tabakman is a powerful and emotionally charged film, led by two stunning performances: famous Israeli singer and actor Ran Danker plays Ezri, whose seductive looks shakes up the formerly sedate life of Aaron; and Zohar Strauss, who won the Best Actor award at the Jerusalem Film Festival, plays Aaron, whose deep, soulful eyes express all the pain and longing, relief and anxiety, that he feels. (PT)

Official Selection 2009 Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals session date

54

Tue 23 March

ACMI Cinemas

30

time

8.15pm

FEATURES

A FROZEN FLOWER SSANG-HWA-

GIRL SEEKS GIRL CHICA BUSCA

JEOM 쌍화점

CHICA

Dir: Yoo Ha, South Korea, 2008, 35mm, 133 min Korean with English subtitles

Dir: Sonia Sebastian, Spain, 2009, video, 160 min Spanish with English subtitles

Set in 13th-century Korea, this sweeping costume drama relates the tragic taboo love triangle between the King of Goryeo, his chief bodyguard, and the Queen. The film opens with the King training a team of boys to be royal guards, with one in particular (Hong) catching his eye. Ten years later, the King is now married to a Yuan Dynasty princess, with his now adult favoured Chief Guard in his constant presence. With the Yuan becoming impatient at the lack of progeny being produced by the King and Queen, and some nobles plotting his overthrow, the King hatches a plan to have Hong inseminate the Queen. Much to the King’s distress, the Chief Guard takes a liking to the assignment and a fully fledged love affair ensues. It’s only a matter of time with the Yuan threatening, and the King distraught, until Hong must decide where his loyalties lie. Often compared to the brilliant King and the Clown (MQFF 2007), A Frozen Flower (which was a huge success at the Korean box office), is an epic tale of lust, laced with bloody battles and betrayal which lead toward a blood-soaked finale. (LD)

This 16 episode series – presented here in two sessions – is widely hailed as Spain’s answer to The L Word, and doesn’t disappoint with its array of stunning, sexy stars and tangled love lives. Girl Seeks Girl takes us on a wild romp through the love lives of a group of lesbians from Madrid, whose fiery temperaments make for lives short on boredom and high on hilarious drama. Much of the action revolves around super-studette Nines who works at the local bar, and attracts the eye of all the ladies. And whilst Nines reluctantly wakes up one morning next to Monica, a slightly unhinged and clingy ex-Olympic athlete, it’s really Monica’s straight flat-mate Carmen that she’s after. And to add to the confusion she’s also busily fending off newly out Ana, who’s looking to Nines to teach her a thing or two about lady love. EuroShane anyone? As Monica plots to have Nines move in (after one night!), Carmen maintains her disinterest, and Ana ups the ante, the lives of all the girls get more and more tangled.

Australian premiere session date

43

Mon 22 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm

Sexy, fun and right now, Girl Seeks Girl will have you begging for more. (LD)

“Tasty! Addictive! Spicy! The L Word with a Spanish lilt!”Edge San Francisco session date

20 82

Sat 20 March Sat 27 March

time

4.15pm 4.30pm

ACMI Cinemas

Part 1 Part 2 31

FEATURES

GIVE ME YOUR HAND

Dir: Andrew Haigh, UK, 2009, video, 79 min

Dir: Pascal-Alex Vincent, France/Germany, 2008, 35mm, 76 min French and German with English subtitles

Director Andrew Haigh worked with a group of London rent boys for over six months, and the result is a riveting improvised fictional drama based on their lives. Encouraged to speak their own dialogue, the boys are presented as they desire to be seen, and the result (while often sexually explicit) is a fly on the wall view of prostitution that’s rarely seen on film.

Identical twin brothers, Antoine and Quentin, backpack across provincial France to their estranged mother’s funeral in Spain. From the start, their relationship is typical of twins. In the flick of an eyelash they oscillate between loving closeness and unspoken resentments.

Along the way they get laid, work on a farm, sleep rough and provoke each other to breaking point. Tensions culminate when Quentin enters into a homosexual liaison that Antoine cannot understand. Bewildered and hurt, Antoine reacts with kneejerk vulgarity, a betrayal that is only hinted at being repaired in the film’s haunting – and unforgettable – closing shot. Paying tribute to Gus van Sant’s mastery of unspoken dialogue – with strong references in the film to Gerry (2002) – director Pascal-Alex Vincent applies a light touch to the bare-bones story, clearly restraining himself from spelling anything out.

Dialogue is beautifully sparse, camera shots linger, and reaction shots are where the real revelations lie. Plot and character development play second fiddle to the larger questions of loyalty, fraternity and selfhood. Give Me Your Hand is a must-see – a classic sleeper hit. (BZ) Plus

THIRTEEN OR SO MINUTES Dir: Branden Blinn, USA, 2008, video, 14 min Lawrence and Hugh have just met.

They both have girlfriends…they’re both straight. Thirteen or so minutes later, however, something’s happened and things have changed. session date

39

Sun 21 March

ACMI Cinemas

32

GREEK PETE

DONNE-MOI LA MAIN

time

8.15pm

Greek Pete is the film’s main protagonist, and through him we get to meet a variety of other men – some clients, some fellow hustlers – and acquire an insider’s sense of the lurid reality of their lives, along with the unexpected theme of an unconventional family life. Pete desires to rise to the top of his game, and score a nomination at the World Escort Awards in Los Angeles; a goal he chases with the kind of desire you’d see from anyone trying to climb a career ladder.

The film attempts to make no judgements, and instead uses the naturalistic performances, and reality film style to encourage the audience to make up their own minds. Pete’s journey to rent boy domination is endlessly fascinating, sexy and gritty, as well as laden with emotion. (LD)

“Full of honesty, real affection, real sex and often shocking realism”. Attitude "A 21st-century update of Andy Warhol's Flesh."

San Francisco Bay Guardian session date

26 74

Sat 20 March Fri 26 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

10.15pm 10.30pm

FEATURES

HANNAH FREE

HE’S MY GIRL LA FOLLE HISTOIRE

Dir: Wendy Jo Carlton, USA, 2009, video, 86 min

D'AMOUR

Hannah and Rachel grew up in the same small Midwest town, where traditional gender expectations eventually challenge their deep love for one another. Hannah (played brilliantly by Sharon Gless – Cagney and Lacey, Queer as Folk) becomes an adventurous, unapologetic lesbian and Rachel a strong but quiet homemaker. Weaving back and forth between past and present, the film reveals how the women maintained their love affair despite a marriage, a world war, infidelities and family denial. The present sees both women in hospital but apart, with Hannah desperate to see Rachel, who is nearing the end of her life. While Rachel’s family are adamant the women are kept apart, they haven’t counted on the doggedness of a mysterious young woman who acknowledges the unfairness of keeping them from each other in their hours of need.

Dir: Jean-Jacques Zilbermann, France, 2009, 35mm, 87 min French with English subtitles

“Together from childhood until they were seniors, Rachel and Hannah’s relationship is multi-layered and poignant – sometimes an entire lifetime isn’t even long enough to be with the person you love.” Angelique Smith, Frameline Film Festival.

Winner Best Feature: 2009 Montreal International LGBT Film Festival; 2009 Philadelphia Q Fest; 2009 Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival session date

21 96

Sat 20 March Sun 28 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm 4.30pm

Mixing Jewish and gay identities on screen invariably spells a heady brew that’s one part deadpan comedy, two parts screwball, and a bucket-load of heartfelt sentiment. That’s the payoff from director Jean-Jacques Zilbermann’s He’s My Girl, a revisit to the life of a French Jewish clarinettist first realised on screen in Man Is Woman (1998).

This time round, Simon Eskenazy (again played by Antoine de Caunes) finds his life in turmoil when his wheelchairbound Jewish mother arrives with her suitcases. It’s not that she cares that he’s gay. Nor that he’s in love with a Muslim.

It’s that her son wants to evict her. The young Muslim, Naïm (played by Mehdi Dehbi, a scene stealer if ever there was one) flits delightfully between identities. On top of his evening vocation as a nightclub maitre d' transvestite, he easily passes as female and befriends Simon’s mother with more than his share of Yiddish conversation. Beyond Naïm’s high jinx excesses, the film shifts into perfect screwball territory with the arrival of Simon’s ex-wife, fiancé and Orthodox son. Never abandoning its well-drawn characters, He’s My Girl delivers a quietly sincere comedy exploration of love without borders. (BZ) session date

97

Sun 28 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6.15pm

33

FEATURES

HOLLYWOOD JE T’AIME

INITIATION BLUTSFREUNDSCHAFT

Dir: Jason Bushman, USA, 2009, video, 97 min English and French with English subtitles

Dir: Peter Kern, Austria, 2009, 35mm, 92 min German with English subtitles

Presented by

Freshly dumped, Jerome swaps Paris for California in the hope of finding some sun, an acting job and men – anything to keep his mind off his cheating ex. When he arrives, it’s not the paradise he imagined, but he soon meets prostitute Kaleesha, who takes a real shine to our puppy-dog-eyed loner, and who introduces him to drag queen, Norma Desire, and with nowhere to stay Jerome crashes at Norma’s place. Things seem to be working out for our leading man when he meets gay pot dealer, Ross (Chad Allen, Save Me, MQFF 2008), who introduces him to an agent friend and he soon scores an acting gig… on a microwave pizza commercial. Ah, the glamour of Hollywood!

Lovers of classic Hollywood films will have fun spotting the references to such films as Sunset Boulevard and Wizard Of Oz – with its fading from black-and-white to colour, to the ‘there’s no place like home’ maxim – and many more… one of the most popular films on the queer film festival circuit, Hollywood Je T’aime is plenty of fun. (PT)

“...has a welcome Tales of the City-like vibe to it, using kooky characters and situations to project a positive yet honest depiction of gay life... a crowd-pleaser likely to rank among the year's more popular gay pics.”

Variety session date

24 72

Sat 20 March Fri 26 March

ACMI Cinemas

34

time

8.15pm 8.15pm

16-year-old Axel runs away from his step-father and is drawn into the dangerous world of a neo-Nazi gang. In order to join the group he has to prove himself by killing a social worker, but when he succeeds in this bloody task he’s conflicted by his new-found status, and finds refuge in the home of 80-year-old gay man, Gustav Tritzinsky. The arrival of Axel reignites bitter memories for Gustav who lives above his dry-cleaning shop with pre-op transsexual, Christina. Gustav was a member of the Hitler Youth and betrayed his first love, whom Axel reminds him of, and to atone for his past sins, he takes in the teenager. But the gang is never far away, and Axel must make a choice between his two surrogate families. (PT)

Official Selection 2009 Viennale, Vienna International Film Festival Official Selection, Berlin International Film Festival Panorama 2010 Australian premiere session date

66

Thu 25 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

8.15pm

FEATURES

THE KING OF ESCAPE LE ROI DE

L'ÉVASION

Dir: Alain Guiraudie, France, 2009, 35mm, 93 min French with English subtitles Official Selection at 2009 Cannes Film Festival, King of Escape is a French comedy, unlike anything you’ve seen. If you like your queer films a little left-of-centre, then this is the film for you.

Life isn’t too exciting for 40-something Armand. Despite living in the French countryside, his job selling tractors doesn’t really push his buttons. And his sex-life consists of getting off at the local beat, where he seems to know everyone. While cruising in town one night, he follows a potential pick-up, but sees a young woman being hassled by a group of young thugs. He has to make a decision – sex with a hot guy, or rescue someone in distress. He chooses the latter, and saves 16-year-old Curly, who is instantly attracted to her bearish knight in shining armour. Against the odds, Armand and Curly start seeing each other, and when Curly’s father finds out he files a complaint against them. But these two mismatched lovebirds won’t be dissuaded, and Armand, swept away

by Curly’s energy and passion, runs off with the teenager, followed in hot pursuit by the cops.

This hilarious black comedy from famed French director Alain Guiraudie straddles the line between fantasy and reality in examining the extreme realm of impossible love.

Expect the unexpected in this wonderfully realised, and at times shocking, cinematic treat. (PT)

Cannes Film Festival 2009 – Director’s Fortnight Australian premiere session date

42

Mon 22 March

greater union Cinemas, russell st

time

6pm

LION’S DEN LEONERA Dir: Pablo Trapero, Argentina, 2008, 35mm, 113 min Spanish with English subtitles College student Julia wakes one morning bruised and bloodied, lying next to her boyfriend who has been stabbed to death, and his male lover, Ramiro, who’s barely alive. Julia calls the police, but cannot remember what happened, and is quickly arrested on suspicion of murder. To complicate matters she discovers she’s pregnant, and is placed in a special section of the prison for inmates with small children. Initially desolate, and unhappy to be pregnant, Julia gradually adjusts to her situation. She gives birth to a son, Tomás, finds solace in her neighbour, Marta, and the two women soon become lovers. However, as her trial nears, external forces bear down upon Julia: her estranged mother wants custody of Tomás, and Ramiro, who also cannot remember the details of the fateful night, will lie to save his skin. Julia must also face the impending legal requirement that children can only stay with their mothers in prison for the first four years of their life. It will take the strength of a lioness to survive in this hostile world.

With a remarkable performance by Martina Gusman as Julia, Lion’s Den is a gripping, tense and claustrophobic drama that has swept awards around the world since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival. (PT) session date

time

03

Thu 18 March

8pm

60

Wed 24 March

8.30pm

ACMI Cinemas

greater union Cinemas, russell st

35

FEATURES

LITTLE ASHES

LUCKY BASTARD

Dir: Paul Morrison, UK, 2009, video, 107 min

Dir: Everett Lewis, USA, 2009, video, 90 min

Starring Twilight’s Robert Pattinson, Little Ashes is a controversial and highly charged insight into the relationship between Salvador Dalí and poet Federico García Lorca. Madrid, 1922, and the city is at a crossroads.

Gripped by a conservative morality with the church and army dominating all aspects of life, a burgeoning artistic student body is emerging, set to challenge the bourgeois lifestyle into which they were born. 18-year-old Salvador Dalí arrives at university and catches the attention of two of the university’s social elite, Federico García Lorca and Luis Buñuel, and is quickly absorbed into their decadent group. Dalí and Lorca are instantly attracted to each other, but their desire for consummation is constantly thwarted.

Rusty is a successful young architect, who has everything he thinks he needs and wants, along with a great guy to share it all with. His business is successful with endless wealthy clients and his business partner couldn’t be more supportive. But when his boyfriend goes out of town on a business trip, Rusty’s life goes off the rails after he meets a mysterious, sexy crystal meth addict named Denny. Denny leads Rusty down a very different path, one filled with risky sex, and distraction from responsibility. He reveals a whole other world to Rusty, who must inevitably decide whether to follow this uncertain new path or take the more secure route.

Depicting an extraordinary period in time of artistic expression, Little Ashes spans 1922 to the Spanish Civil War in 1936 – from Dalí (and Buñuel’s) spectacular success with Un Chien Andalou (1929) in Paris, to Lorca’s travels throughout Spain – but at its core it is the tragic love story of two men unable to reconcile the personal, social and political forces that threatens to tear Presented by both themselves and their country apart. (PT) session date

86

Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas

36

time

8.30pm

"Lucky Bastard is a heady, complex come-on that will arouse both your libido and your mind." LA Outfest 2009 session date

40

Sun 21 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

10pm

FEATURES

MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY

THE MAN WHO LOVED YNGVE

Dir: Rob Williams, USA, 2009, video, 89 min

MANNEN SOM ELSKET YNGVE

Openly gay college student Olaf ‘Gunn’ Gunnunderson lurches back into the closet to spend the festive season with his quirky, sweet, but none-the-wiser parents in Wisconsin. Leaving his boyfriend to his own devices, Gunn dons his best Midwestern straight boy outfit and hightails it back home, where he endures a concerted effort by his parents to set him up with his high school sweetheart, Abby. When his über-gay boyfriend Nathan shows up unannounced after once again being rejected by his distracted parents, Gunn’s charade needs to step up a notch, as he’s yet to tell Nathan that he’s not out to his parents. With the pressure growing from all sides, a Hicksville mother, stoner father, and the miscommunications hilariously mounting up, will Gunn find the courage to 'fess up to them all? (LD)

Dir: Stian Kristiansen, Norway, 2008, 35mm, 90 min Norwegian with English subtitles

“Giddily exuberant, Rob Williams’ latest is not only filled with laugh-outloud jokes, but also with boys who look oh-so-cute together.” Scott Cranin, Philadelphia Q Fest session date

95

Sun 28 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

4.15pm

Presented by

It’s 1989 and the world is experiencing a major shift with the collapse of the Berlin Wall. In a small Norwegian town, 17-year-old Jarle’s life is also undergoing some radical upheavals – he’s started a band with his best mate, and he’s going out with a girl, Katarine, whom he’s been chasing for months. But the biggest shock is when a new student, Yngve, arrives in school, and Jarle is instantly smitten. The tennis-playing, David Sylvian-loving Yngve is a million miles from the punk-stylings of Jarle and his band – whose big song is 'Pussy Satan Anarchy Commando' – but for how long can he keep his feelings secret? Coming out stories are a staple of queer films but rarely do they hit the mark as authentically as here. The filmmakers have succeeded in creating a movie with a mature feel while capturing the energy of youth, led by the wonderful performance of Rolf Kristian Larsen as Jarle.

With a non-stop soundtrack of songs from the era by such bands as The Cure, R.E.M., The Stone Roses and, um, Roxette, The Man Who Loved Yngve is bound to be an audience favourite. (PT)

Winner Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding International Feature, LA Outfest 2009 Winner Best Feature Film, Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2009 session date

61

Wed 24 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

8pm 37

FEATURES

MIAO MIAO 渺渺

OUT OF THE BLUE LA SURPRISE

Dir: Cheng Hsiao-Tse, China/Taiwan, 2008, 35mm, 83 min Mandarin and Japanese with English subtitles

Dir: Alain Tasma, France, 2007, video, 95 min French with English subtitles

Teenaged Miao Miao is a shy exchange student from Japan struggling with her new life in Taipei. In need of a friend, she’s relieved when she hooks up with the extroverted and charismatic Ai. Growing in confidence Miao Miao finds herself with a teen sized crush on sullen CD shop owner Chen Fei, who appears to have deepseated problems of his own, and keeps Miao Miao at arm’s length. The situation becomes complicated when it becomes clear that while she has been helping Miao Miao get close to Chen Fei, Ai has fallen in love with Miao Miao.

Inevitably the tension between the trio builds, and Chen Fei begins to open up about his traumatic past, and his own romantic feelings.

Marion is a middle-aged wife, mother and drama teacher, whose roadside epiphany sees her leave her cheating, selfabsorbed husband to start a new life. While negotiating the family drama that her decision has created she meets the gorgeous, mysterious and charismatic Claude who makes Marion feel alive and sexy for the first time in a long time, but whose obsession with her previous girlfriend continually creates problems in the new relationship. As Marion deals with the unfamiliar terrain of lesbian love, the relationship becomes increasingly stormy, and it’s soon revealed that Claude’s previous girlfriend died in controversial circumstances.

Aided by excellent performances from its leads, Miao Miao is a breath of fresh air in its depiction of youthful first love, friendship and with the grappling with burgeoning sexual identity. (LD)

Australian premiere session date

65 98

Thu 25 March Sun 28 March

ACMI Cinemas

38

time

8pm 6.30pm

Beautifully acted and directed, Out of the Blue is a tremendously entertaining film that reveals the joys of finding love in unexpected places, and dealing with the complexities that come with it. (LD) session date

35

Sun 21 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

4.15pm

FEATURES

OY VEY! MY SON IS GAY!

PEDRO

Dir: Evgeny Afineevsky, USA, 2009, 35mm, 90 min

Dir: Nick Oceano, USA, 2008, video, 94 min

Each Friday evening, the Hirsch's, a Jewish family living on Long Island, invite yet another ‘perfect’ girl over for shabbat dinner in the hope that their 30-something son Nelson will marry a nice Jewish girl. Finally tired of the charade, Nelson informs his parents that he’s seeing someone, conveniently leaving out the fact that that person is a man by the name of Angelo (deftly played by Jai Rodriguez – Queer Eye for the Straight Guy). Naturally they’re thrilled and can’t wait to meet the lucky lady.

During a surprise visit to Nelson’s apartment, Mrs Hirsch unknowingly meets Angelo (who pretends to be the decorator), but assumes that their Playpen centrefold neighbour Sybil (Carmen Electra) is Nelson’s girlfriend, thereby setting in motion a domino effect of misunderstandings and miscommunications that make up the film’s comic centre.

Together with an hilarious coming out scene, other revealed family queers and fatherly trips to gay bars, Oy Vey! My Son is Gay! hits the mark and shows us how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go.

In 1994, Bunim/Murray Productions made the groundbreaking decision to cast openly gay, HIV-positive Cuban-American Pedro Zamora as part of MTV's The Real World: San Francisco, one of the first reality TV shows in the US. Zamora's time in the Real World house on Lombard Street brought a face to the AIDS crisis; and US President Bill Clinton credited Zamora with personalising and humanising those with the virus. For millions of people, he was the only person they knew living with HIV. Pedro celebrates the extraordinary life of Zamora, a young man who, when he found out he was HIV positive at 17, made the courageous decision to dedicate the rest of his life to speaking out about his condition in an attempt to raise awareness about the disease in his community, even testifying before the US Congress to argue for more explicit HIV/AIDS educational programmes aimed at youth of colour, before auditioning for The Real World in 1993.

With excellent performances by the experienced cast (Lainie Kazan, Bruce Vilanch, Saul Rubinek), it’s not surprising that Oy Vey! has recently fallen under the 2010 Oscar radar. (LD)

“…At its world premiere at the 2009 Montreal World Film Festival, Oy Vey! – basically a Jewish Mambo Italiano – became an instant camp classic..." Richard Burnett, Hour Magazine session date

57

Wed 24 March

greater union Cinemas, russell st

time

6pm

His appearance on The Real World brought his story and his message to MTV's youthful audience and beyond, and when Zamora's health began to deteriorate in late 1994 (after he left the show), it became front page news nationwide, and his death at age 22 provoked a worldwide outpouring of grief. Pedro has Hollywood royalty at its heart with Academy Award winning writer Dustin Lance Black (Milk) at the helm, as well as Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland (Quinceanera, The Fluffer, Grief ) in producer roles.

“Pedro offers an intriguing look at this accidental celebrity and his brief but world-changing turn in the spotlight, and hits all the right emotional notes". Variety Australian premiere session date

36 81

Sun 21 March Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm 4pm 39

FEATURES

PLAN B

PORNOGRAPHY

Dir: Marco Berger, Argentina, 2009, video, 103 min Spanish with English subtitles

Dir: David Kittredge, USA, 2009, video, 113 min

When self-assured Bruno is dumped by his modernthinking girlfriend Laura, he plans an outrageous, yet ingenious vengeance. Despite the dumping, the two continue to sleep together, even while she becomes more and more serious about her new charming and handsome boyfriend, Pablo. Bruno’s plan is to install himself into Pablo’s world, become his new best friend and somehow undermine his relationship with Laura – with the hoped for end result a reunion with her. Along the way though, a more involved Plan B arises, which puts Bruno’s sexuality into question and presents a far greater challenge than his original plan. As Bruno and Pablo become closer and flirt with the possibility of sleeping together, the audience becomes increasingly aware that a climax of some sort is imminent.

Manuel Vignau and Lucas Ferraro in the two lead roles give the film an unaffectedness that is so appealing and original, while the storyline is a welcome departure from standard love story fare. Avoiding clichés and stereotypes, Plan B is a modern day love story illuminated amongst the gritty roof terraces, streets and apartments of contemporary Buenos Aires. One of the must-see films of the Festival! (LD)

Australian premiere session date

47 62

Mon 22 March Wed 24 March

ACMI Cinemas

40

time

9pm 10pm

In 1995, gay porn star Mark Anton mysteriously disappears when he decides to leave the business at the height of his career in this sexy, psychological thriller. Fourteen years later, Michael, a young New York writer is researching a book about pornography and becomes curious about the unsolved mystery. His curiosity reaches obsessive proportions when he unearths an underground video in his own apartment that looks to be a snuff film capturing Anton’s last moments. Michael’s investigations seem to set of a paranormal energy that threatens to turns his own life into a living hell. Coincidentally, in Los Angeles porn aficionado Matt decides he wants to write, direct and star in a film about Anton’s disappearance, and puts pen to paper based on his own nightmares about the missing star. Once the production begins, it becomes clear it’s cursed, as Matt’s grasp on reality and fantasy slip. High on mystery, mind-games and sexy bodies, Pornography is a refreshingly original thrill-ride. (LD)

"All good porn is fairly engrossing, but when you add drugs, murder and mystery to the mix it becomes must-see cinema." David Atlanta session date

06 87

Thu 18 March Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

10.15pm 10.30pm

FEATURES

PROHIBITED SENSES SENS

REDWOODS

INTERDITS

Dir: David Lewis, USA, 2009, video, 82 min

Dir: Sümeya Kökten, Belgium, 2008, video, 80 min French and Turkish with English subtitles

Winner of the prestigious 2009 Iris Award for Best Feature, Redwoods is a gorgeously photographed romantic drama, set amidst the lush redwood forests of California.

Selin, a young Turkish woman living in the Belgium capital, Brussels, is having a passionate affair with policewoman, Jennifer. However, Selin still lives with her conservative parents, and drug-dealing brother, and cannot reveal her sexuality to them. She desperately wants to buy her own apartment, but her father will only allow her to move out of home when she marries. When Kadir, a local car dealer, who has had his eye on Selin for a while, successfully asks her parents for her hand in marriage, the young woman is distraught. But the situation is further complicated by the fact that Kadir is actually the head of a drug gang, of which Selin’s brother is a member, and Jennifer’s police unit is hunting him down…

The debut film from Sümeya Kökten, who works as a policewoman in Belgium, delves into the many pressures faced by women – cultural, religious, sexual – in their desire for independence, that is both specific to the milieu depicted here, but also universal, and highlights a welcome new voice in queer cinema. (PT)

Everett and Miles live in relative seclusion in a small town with their learning disabled son, Billy. Their relationship is passionless and they seem to be held together by their shared loved of the child. When Miles and Billy take a trip out of town to visit family, Everett is thankful for some time to be by himself. However his peace is interrupted by the arrival of a handsome stranger, Chase, a writer who has taken a wrong turn on the way to his B&B. Their mutual attraction is instant, and they start spending time together.

Openly flirtatious and carefree, Chase tries to seduce the more serious Everett, who is torn between risk and responsibility. Will he embrace the chance for true love, or will his commitment to his family hold steady? (PT)

Winner Best Feature, 2009 Iris Prize session date

41

Sun 21 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

10.15pm

Presented by

Australian premiere session date

09 77

Fri 19 March Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

8pm 12.30pm

41

FEATURES

RELEASE

SOUNDLESS WIND CHIME

Dir: Darren Flaxstone & Christian Martin, UK, 2010, video, 87 min

Wúshēng fēng líng 无声风铃

The latest movie from the filmmakers behind MQFF 2009’s controversial hit, Shank.

Dir: Kit Hung, China, 2009, 35mm, 110 min Swiss German, English, Mandarin and Cantonese with English subtitles

Father Jack is imprisoned and put in a cell with teenager Rook, who is bullied by the prison’s heavies, led by the eerie Max. When he rescues his cellmate from a savage beating at the hands of this group of vicious thugs, Jack becomes their new target. Protection of sorts comes in the unexpected form of Martin, a prison officer who’s had his eye on the handsome priest from the get-go, and the two men embark on a dangerous and illicit affair behind cell doors. They fall in love and plan to be together following Jack’s release. However, hazards lurk around every corner, and in such a confined space there is no one you can trust. But will the two men be able to manoeuvre through this minefield of danger and deception to start a new life together?

Employing an arresting structure of flashbacks and flash-forwards, peppered with Jack’s vivid nightmares, filmmakers Darren Flaxstone and Christian Martin have crafted an engaging and tense drama. (PT)

Warning: Contains scenes of brutality that may offend some viewers. session date

68

Thu 25 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

10.15pm

The busy streets and cramped alleyways of Hong Kong provide the stage for an intense affair between two lonely, isolated men. Ricky, a waiter and delivery boy from Beijing, lives with his aunt, a prostitute who passes the time between clients by spewing criticism at her timid nephew. Swiss-born Pascal picks pockets and juggles for cash. After running away from his sexually abusive roommate, Pascal wanders aimlessly before finding a friendly face – and eventually a warm bed – with Ricky.

Before long the two young lovers get an apartment together, where they share passionate nights and delightfully mundane mornings – until a tragedy leaves Ricky more isolated than ever. Haunted by his all-too brief flirtation with happiness, Ricky heads to Switzerland in search of a tangible connection to his dearly departed.

There he meets Ueli, an antiques shopkeeper who bears an uncanny resemblance to Pascal. In the empty fields of a Swiss village, Ricky and Ueli try to forge a relationship. But Ricky can’t escape the ghosts of the past: his ailing mother needs him in Beijing and the memory of Pascal lingers.

"Director Kit Hung’s beautifully photographed, non-linear debut feature captures the intensity of young love in a bustling city, but finds its true magic in love’s wake: when memory is as palpable as a steady breeze."

Frameline Film Festival 2009 Official Selection, Berlin International Film Festival 2009 session date

49

42

Tue 23 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm

FEATURES

TELSTAR

WE ARE THE MODS

Dir: Nick Moran, UK, 2009, 35mm, 114 min

Dir: E E Cassidy, USA, 2009, video, 80 min

Set against a backdrop of early 60s London, Telstar is the remarkable, stranger than fiction, rise-and-fall, true story of gay maverick songwriter-producer, Joe Meek. In a cramped flat above a luggage shop, Meek’s recording ‘studio’ is crammed to the brim with musicians recording in every available space: guitarists strum catchy tunes in the sitting room; singers bounce around the bedroom; and backing vocalists are stacked on top of each other in the toilet. The hard work pays off and Meek scores a mega-hit with the Tornadoes’ 'Telstar', but he wants more. Enter Heinz, a cocky blonde singer, and Meek is as determined to make this kid a star as he is to bed him. Both his wishes come true, but only fleetingly; increasingly unhinged, Meek’s neuroses push people away, as he spirals further into an abyss.

Imagine the cinematic lovechild of High Art (1998) and Quadrophenia (1979). And then make that offspring decidedly more light-hearted than either of its dour parents and you have some idea of the territory covered in this impressive debut feature from E E Cassidy.

With a top notch cast, including Kevin Spacey, and infused with a manic energy, spiced with tasty incidents of Meek’s missed opportunities – the Beatles and Tom Jones for starters – Telstar is a fascinating glimpse into the chaotic and troubled life of a creative genius now revered as a pioneer of British pop. (PT)

“Telstar thrums with the excitement of unearthing a singularly eccentric chapter in pop’s back pages.” Time Out London session date

45

Mon 22 March

greater union Cinemas, russell st

time

8.30pm

Juxtaposing the ‘life through the lens’ experience of Sadie, an inexperienced high school photography student with that of her worldly new friend Nico (and how could she not exude cool with that moniker?), the film covers many of the usual teen angst film staples – friendship, love, sex, drugs, rebellion – but with a way cooler soundtrack than your average John Hughes movie, full of R&B and tracks from both the 60s Mod genesis and the British late 70s/early 80s revival – The Kinks, Small Faces, The Jam etc. Add to this the evolving attraction between Sadie and Nico, some seriously stylish outfits, vintage Lambretta and Vespa scooters and, really, what’s not to like?

Cassidy is no cinephile slouch either, directly referencing Antonioni’s Blow-Up (1966) and William Klein’s somewhat more obscure Qui êtes-vous, Polly Magoo? from the same year. As Sadie, newcomer Melia Renee has a definite charm, while Mary Elise Hayden gets Nico’s balance between nonchalance and soul just right. (MS) session date

38 93

Sun 21 March Sun 28 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

8pm 2.15pm 43

FEATURES

WE HAVE TO STOP NOW

A WOMAN’S WAY STRELLA ΣΤΡΕΛΛΑ

Dir: Robyn Dettman, USA, 2009, video, 80 min

Dir: Panos H Koutras, Greece, 2009, video, 113 min Greek with English subtitles

Dyna and Kit are successful therapists Presented by who have just written a best-selling book, How To Succeed In Marriage Without Even Trying. A documentary crew has been dispatched to their apartment to record their lives to see what makes these two women tick.

There’s only one catch – they have decided to get divorced. With Kit’s stoner sister, Cindy, crashing at their place after being evicted, and the doco crew covering their every move, the stage is set for some interesting times ahead! We Have To Stop Now is a romantic comedy web series, from Ann Noble (creator and writer), Robyn Dettman (director) and actors Cathy Debuono and Jill Bennett, who both also star in And Then Came Lola, playing in MQFF this year. Lesbian comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer co-stars as the therapist, Susan, who tries to keep Dyna and Kit from tearing each other apart! Each episode is short, sharp and infused with a wicked sense of humour - We Have To Stop Now is a must see. (PT)

World premiere session date

37 84

Sun 21 March Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas

44

time

6.15pm 6.30pm

Stella: first name, feminine.

Trella: (Greek noun) madness, lunacy, extravagance.

Yiorgos is released from prison after 14 years and he spends his first night out in a cheap hotel in Athens. There he meets Strella, a young pre-op transgender prostitute and the two spend the night together. But Yiorgos, with his new-found freedom, has some unfinished business: determined to find his estranged son, he must travel to his small hometown village where he committed the crime that led to his incarceration. However, his son has moved away. Armed with few clues he returns to Athens and back into the arms of Strella, and their passionate affair blossoms, with unexpected and shocking consequences.

Infused with Greek mythology, A Woman’s Way is a powerful and compassionate drama, spearheaded by two remarkable, and fearless performances: Yiannis Kokiasmenos, as the sinewy, sexy Yiorgos is a physically commanding presence; and newcomer Mina Orfanou is spellbinding as the Maria Callas-worshipping Strella. (PT) session date

46

Mon 22 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

9pm

FEATURES

YOU WILL BE MINE JE TE MANGERAIS Dir: Sophie Laloy, France, 2009, 35mm, 96 min French with English subtitles Emma is an intense young woman who lives on her own in her parents’ huge flat in Lyon. Her father is long since dead, and her mother simply disappeared without a trace years prior. When she hears that a childhood friend Marie needs somewhere to live while she studies at the local prestigious music academy, she offers one of the many rooms in her house on the condition that Marie abide by some strict house rules, such as a curfew.

Marie naïvely agrees and moves in. It soon becomes apparent that Emma is more than a little unhinged as she becomes obsessed with Marie to the point of trying to dominate her every move. At first Marie is flattered and in fact has feelings of her own for Emma, and they develop a sexual relationship. But all too quickly Emma’s intensity and dominance becomes frightening to Marie and she retreats from the relationship and starts dating a boy from her music college. Naturally Emma becomes enraged by the turn of events, and the two engage in a quagmire of psychological sparring that can only come to an unpleasant conclusion. Fine performances from the striking leads, and a tightly written script make for an entertaining psychological thriller. (LD) session date

48

Tue 23 March

greater union Cinemas, russell st

time

6pm 45

The Best Gay Cinema

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SEASON 1 2010 ON SALE NOW MALTHOUSE THEATRE PRESENTS

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BY MELISSA REEVES DIRECTED BY TIM MADDOCK WITH RITA KALNEJAIS KATE KENDALL ROBERT MENZIES THOMAS WRIGHT

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DOCUMENTARIES

COLLEGE BOYS LIVE Dir: George O’Donnell, USA, 2009, video, 90 min

BEAUTIFUL DARLING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CANDY DARLING, ANDY WARHOL SUPERSTAR Dir: James Rasin, USA, 2009, video, 82 min Candy Darling, born James L Slattery, was famous for being part of Andy Warhol’s Factory, but she certainly garnered more than 15 minutes of fame. This entertaining documentary shines a light on a performer who succeeded in a remarkable act of self-creation, but whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 29. Candy’s influence on underground culture was immediate and still resonates today; from being the subject of The Velvet Underground's 'Candy Says', to being name-checked in Lou Reed's 'Walk on the Wild Side', and gracing the covers of records by such queer performers as The Smiths and Antony and the Johnsons. With a host of new interviews with notable names including filmmakers John Waters and Paul Morrissey, Factory members Holly Woodlawn, George Abagnalo, Gerard Malanga, authors Bob Colacello, Fran Lebowitz and Jeremiah Newton, the executor of Candy Darling’s estate, plus excerpts from Candy’s diaries, and some extraordinary vintage footage of the era, Beautiful Darling is a wonderful tribute to a queer icon. (PT)

Official Selection, Berlin International Film Festival Panorama Dokumente 2010 session date

94

Sun 28 March

acmi CINEMAS

52

time

2.30pm

In a quiet Florida suburb, various gay teens and twenty-something men struggle to escape the wreckage of their pasts and create new lives for themselves. Their new home is CollegeBoysLive.com, a voyeur webcam house rigged with 32 cameras, where their every move is watched by thousands of paying members. The site’s creator claims CollegeBoysLive. com is simply about showing that “it’s okay to be gay.” But the neighbours insist it’s a pornographic whorehouse and sue to have them evicted. In response ‘house mothers’ Zac and Jonathan must rally the randy teen troops to avoid being tossed out onto the street.

This intimate, revealing and provocative documentary examines a complex subculture, but at its heart is the universal search for family and acceptance.

“Given the voyeuristic nature of documentary filmmaking, voyeurism itself makes for a compelling subject in this unpredictable and entertaining film”. Alonso Duralde - Frameline Film Festival. session date

73

Fri 26 March

acmi CINEMAS

time

10.15pm

DOCUMENTARIES

EDIE AND THEA A VERY LONG

IDENTITIES

ENGAGEMENT

Dir: Vittoria Colonna, Ireland, 2008, video, 81 min

Dir: Greta Olafsdottir & Susan Muska, USA, 2009, video, 59 min

Identities is one of the only films which explores the multicoloured, multicultural transgender community in Ireland. Five personal stories give shape to the vibrant, different, yet parallel worlds of Transvestism, Transsexualism, Drag, Sexual identity, and Gender Dysphoria. Intercutting black and white interviews with fly on the wall footage, each character's daily experience is laid bare in a sensitive and compelling way.

This award-winning documentary tells the inspiring story of a 42-year relationship between two remarkable women against the struggle for recognition of same sex marriage. Edie first saw Thea across the dancefloor of a backstreet lesbian bar in 1960s New York City. As high-profile professionals originally fearing exposure, these fiercely intelligent women defied all, becoming loyal and important activists by shining a light on a love that counted. In later life, despite challenges posed by the onset of chronic multiple sclerosis that ultimately confined Thea to a wheelchair, the attraction between these two feisty women never eased. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You get to be quite creative,â&#x20AC;? jokes Thea of their still hot sex life.

Vividly evoked by astonishing archival photographs and intimate, often hilarious anecdotes, this not-to-be-missed love story is a moving celebration of a relationship that has broken all barriers, with an ending more romantic than any screenwriter could dream. (GS)

Vivid art performances add to the deeply personal selfrepresentation. At its heart, this is a film about the human spirit. Overcoming stereotype and categorisation, the gender construct breaks open, allowing personality and human emotion a path to expression, overthrowing the traditional misconceptions and common stereotypes.

Winner Best Documentary Film, Gaze Film Festival, Ireland, 2009 Winner Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Human Rights Film Award, Ireland, 2009 session date

76

Sat 27 March

acmi CINEMAS

time

Noon

PLUS:

FIVE MINUTES CINCO MINUTOS Dir: Ricky Mastro, Brazil, 2008, 35mm, 10 min Portuguese with English subtitles When you spend your whole life beside one person, all the time in the world is not enough to say goodbye. session date

time

13

Sat 20 March

Noon

79

Sat 27 March

2pm

acmi studio, plaza level acmi CINEMAS

53

DOCUMENTARIES 1990–2010

OUTRAGE Dir: Kirby Dick, USA, 2009, video, 87 min In June 2007, US Senator Larry Craig, a fierce opponent of gay rights, was arrested for soliciting sex from an undercover police officer in a public toilet. From this and other true stories from Capitol Hill, Academy Awardnominated documentary maker, Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated) makes the riveting argument that “there exists a brilliantly orchestrated conspiracy to keep gay and lesbian politicians as closeted as possible.”

Furthermore, these double lifeleading politicians have consistently supported legislation that harms the gay community, and publicly prevented the advancement of civil rights for gays and lesbians. Many activists opposed to this dangerous hypocrisy have made it their job to publically out these politicians, stirring ethical debate. A bold and searing political exposé, Outrage features such prominent figures as Larry Kramer (Faggots) and Tony Kushner (Angels In America), probing the psychology of the double life, examining the role of the media in tacitly supporting their closeting, and the moral dilemma of public outing. Fresh from the Tribeca Film Festival, Outrage is bound to be one of the most explosive and controversial documentaries of the Festival. (GS) session date

19

Sat 20 March

acmi CINEMAS

time

4pm

PARIS IS BURNING Dir: Jennie Livingston, USA, 1990, video, 71 min Shot through the mid-to-late 80s, Paris Is Burning chronicles the Drag Ball culture of New York City and the underprivileged African-American and Latino gay and transgendered communities involved in producing them. Many film scholars consider Paris Is Burning to be a seminal documentary about the end of the ‘Golden Age’ of New York City drag balls, as well as a fascinating exploration of race, class, gender, homophobia and AIDS in America. The majority of the film alternates between footage of balls and interviews with members of the scene, including Pepper La Beija, Dorian Corey and Willi Ninja. The film heralded new dance styles, such as ‘vogueing’, made famous by Madonna 12 months after the film’s release. Paris Is Burning is widely seen as a pioneer of New Queer Cinema, and won multiple awards the world over.

The MQFF is proud to screen 'Paris Is Burning' on its 20th anniversary. session date

53

Tue 23 March

acmi CINEMAS

54

time

8.30pm

Presented by

DOCUMENTARIES PRODIGAL SONS Dir: Kimberly Reed, USA, 2009, video, 86 min Filmmaker Kimberly Reed’s honest, intimate and revealing portrait of her family is one of the must-see documentaries of this year’s Festival. Returning to her small Montana hometown for her 20-year high school reunion, Reed is more than a little nervous about how her old school friends will greet her gender news, but mostly she’s hopeful of a reconciliation with her estranged and deeply troubled adopted brother, Marc.

As with all good documentaries, we never know what twist Reed’s will take, but when she discovers the stunning revelation that Marc has a blood relationship with Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, we can’t help but be riveted to the cinema seat. Further discoveries of family trauma, violence and attempts at unconditional love make this an enthralling exploration of a family’s attempts to make sense of the past in light of an unexpected present.

“Prodigal Sons galvanised audiences…This film will fascinate inquisitive viewers on multiple levels.” Variety – Todd McCarthy, Chief Critic. session date

34

Sun 21 March

acmi CINEMAS

SCULPTURE 22 JanUaRy – 18 aPRiL nGV inTERnaTionaL 180 St Kilda Road 10am–5pm Closed Tuesdays 03 8620 2222 ngv.vic.gov.au Ron Mueck In bed 2005 (detail) Queensland Art Gallery © Ron Mueck, courtesy Anthony d’Offay, London Photo: Natasha Harth

Principal Sponsor

time

4pm

melbourne queer film II.indd 1

18/12/2009 12:32:34

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Plus

masculinity panel Immediately following the session, in the Festival Lounge. Presented by the Victorian AIDS Council/GMHC. A panel discussion exploring the complex relationship between masculinity and sexual orientation.

Panellists from the butch to the not-so-butch side, and researchers will engage with each other and the audience members on what it is to be a gay, bi, trans or queer man in 2010.

Panellists: The Fabulous Adam Richard has performed stand up comedy since 1997. After a stint as Triple J's Mister Bitch (2002/3) Adam has settled in as part of the breakfast team on Fox FM with Matt & Jo. Adam also has a weekly segment on Channel Ten's 9am With David and Kim and has certainly made his mark as the queen of the red carpet.

THE BUTCH FACTOR Dir: Christopher Hines, USA, 2009, video, 75 min “What does it mean to be gay and be a man?” is the question posed by this documentary that explores the diversity of images and representations of masculinity. Entertaining and thought provoking, with a steady stream of interviewees, from rodeo cowboys to musicians, bears to drag queens, The Butch Factor will generate plenty of discussion.

With bromance replacing metrosexual as the straight world’s term-du-jour, and the notion of ‘straight acting’ gaining a firmer hold within the gay community, who gets to define masculinity? How important a role does culture play in our identity, and to what extent do we shape our own image with the roles models, or lack thereof, that we are presented with?

Christopher Hines’ film breaks down stereotypes and every gay man will almost certainly see at least a part of himself in one of the many people interviewed.

Amidst the ‘everyday’ people are historians and psychologists whose perspectives and knowledge enriches proceedings. (PT)

“Definitely a must-see... blows the lid off some strongly entrenched stereotypes in the gay community!" Reel Affirmations Film Festival session date

32

Sun 21 March

acmi CINEMAS

Associate Professor Garrett Prestage has been active in gay community life in Australia since the mid-1970s through organisations like Mardi Gras, Twenty-Ten and ACON. Garrett has worked in HIV research among gay men since the late 1990s.

Luke Mitchell has been a member of the Vicbears committee for the last two years, this year as Vice President.

Luke has a BA in Arts (Film) and runs one of the most popular gaming sites in Australia (palgen.com.au).

Presented by

time

2.15pm 57

The world’s your oyster.

You’re the pearl.

For 30 years {also} has been representing the queer community.

Advocating on behalf of all of us, and protecting those that most need our help. Funding programs to combat homophobia. Developing regional networks for queer people. Supporting vulnerable youth and older folk. Not to mention celebrating the colour, character and vibrancy of the LGBTIQ family.

ears y 0 3 g ratainpart of great change in 30 years, there’s still And whilste lebbeen c we’ve

much to be done to ensure that every member of our community has the right to shine. Which is why in this, {also’s} Pearl Anniversary year, we’d love you to be part of things. Membership costs just $35 a year* and helps to fund the work we do. Alternatively, you can make a donation, or volunteer your time. Whichever you choose - to {also} and your community - it’s as precious as a pearl.

year 0 3 g n i at

celebr

ating r b e l ce years 30

also.org.au

bratairnsg ye

s

ting a r b e cel years 30

ratinsg b e l e c ar 30 ye1980 - 2010

*Membership costs $35 for individuals, $65 for couples and $10 Concession.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Plus

GENDER panel Immediately following the session, in the cinema. Presented by the {also} Foundation.

Panellists:

DIAGNOSING DIFFERENCE Dir: Annalise Ophelian, USA, 2009, video, 64 min How does it feel to have your gender identity included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders? Diagnosing Difference features interviews with thirteen transgender and genderqueer scholars, artists and activists as they explore the impact and implications of the Gender Identity Disorder (GID) on their lives and communities. Historically, non-trans medical and mental health care professionals have positioned themselves as the ‘experts’ on transgender experience, creating standards, guidelines and diagnoses that inform legal policies and mediate every aspect of life.

Diagnosing Difference shifts the focus to explore the many complexities of the diagnosis from the perspectives of those it affects most directly and personally, including access to medical care, legal ramifications, social stigma, implications for psychotherapeutic care, treatment trauma, and differences in experience based on factors like race, class, gender orientation and generation.

"This film is a call to all mental health providers to not only educate themselves but to become activists for transgender patient rights within their professional communities.” Dr Sara Kimmel, Staff Psychologist, Harvard University Presented by Mental Health Services session date

16

Sat 20 March

acmi studio, plaza level

time

2pm

Sally Goldner has been out of the gender closet for over thirteen years and an active participant in Melbourne’s queer community for the last ten. This includes ongoing involvement with TransGender Victoria, 3CR’s ‘Out of the Pan', VGLRL, and Zoe Belle Gender Centre. Sally is an accountant specialising in the not-for-profit sector.

Jason Rostant has worked in a range of GLBTIQ roles including in Tasmania with the Gay and Lesbian Rights Group where he was among those who challenged the State’s anti-gay laws by handing himself over to police, and later established the coming out/suicide prevention service Working It Out; in NSW as a youth worker; in WA as sexuality adviser to Senator Brian Greig; and in Victoria with Gay and Lesbian Switchboard, as Co-Convenor of the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames human rights conference, and now as President of the {also} Foundation.

Jason currently manages community education at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Dr Fintan B Harte is a Consultant Psychiatrist and director of Addiction Services at the Albert Road Clinic. He also has a special interest in sexuality and gender issues. He was the first psychiatrist appointed in Victoria to HIV services at Fairfield Hospital and subsequently at the Alfred Hospital.

Dr Harte was appointed Head of Unit, Gender Dysphoria Clinic, Melbourne in July 2009. He is the current VicePresident of the Australian and New Zealand Professional Association for Transgender Health (ANZPATH).

Dr Harte is also a member of the Mental Health Review Board and a Clinical Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne.

59

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Plus

anti-violence panel Immediately following the session, in the cinema. Presented by the AntiViolence Project of Victoria.

Panellists:

HOLDING HANDS Dir: Tonnette Stanford & Katherine Wilkinson, Australia, 2009, video, 65 min Craig and Shane were holding hands when they fell victim to a brutal hate crime off Oxford Street, Sydney. The image of Craig’s shattered face in the local newspaper and the lack of police investigation led Sydney’s queer community to hold a protest on their behalf, and the couple were nominated leaders of the 2008 Mardi Gras Parade. The hardest year in these young men’s lives is captured through endless surgeries, physical and psychological recovery and their struggle to plan for their future. But despite these Presented by challenges, Craig and Shane discover that even in the worst circumstances they can create positive change. session date

78

Sat 27 March

acmi studio, plaza level

time

1.30pm

Greg Adkins is the Executive Director of Anti-Violence Project of Victoria Inc. He supports this voluntary position through international consultancy work in capacity development, social inclusion and marginalised communities development and has worked in Asia and within Australia with a range of local organisations.

A former Ironman triathlete, Greg is a director of Family Planning Victoria and co-hosts ‘Detours’ on JOY 94.9.

Scott Davis is a Sergeant with Victoria Police and manager of the Victoria Police Gay and Lesbian Advisory Unit. Scott has been with Victoria Police for 22 years having worked at a range of police stations across the south eastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula.

The GLLO mission is to contribute to the creation of mutual trust between lesbians, gay men, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons so they have increasing confidence in police through the provision of a fair and equitable policing service.

William Leonard has run courses on sexuality and gender at Monash and RMIT Universities, has worked as the Executive Officer with the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee on Gay and Lesbian Health and is currently a research fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University.

61

A Pap test every two years could save your life.

For more information call 13 11 20 or visit www.papscreen.org.au

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Plus

queer sports panel Immediately following the session, in the cinema. Presented by Queer Sports Alliance Melbourne.

Discussing homophobia in sport – where we have been, where we are now, where we are going and how far we have to go.

Panellists:

TRAINING RULES Dir: Dee Mosbacher & Fawn Yacker, USA, 2008, video, 61 min Rene Portland had three training rules during her 26 years coaching basketball at Pennsylvania State University – no drinking, no drugs and no lesbians.

Training Rules examines how a wealthy athletic department, enabled by the silence of a complacent university, allowed talented athletes, thought to be gay, to be dismissed from their college team. In 2006, student athlete Jennifer Harris, in conjunction with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, filed charges against Pennsylvania State University and basketball coach Rene Portland for discrimination based on sexual orientation. This lawsuit inspired others whose lives were shattered during Coach Portland's reign to come forward.

The film focuses on these individuals and investigates why organisations established to protect these athletes have done so little to end this common form of victimisation. Training Rules serves as a wake-up Presented by call to the many athletic departments worldwide that still discriminate against their student athletes and coaches. session date

92

Sun 28 March

acmi studio, plaza level

time

2pm

Dr Caroline Symons is a Senior lecturer in the School of Sport and Exercise Science at Victoria University, and Convenor of the Melbourne based GLBTI sport advocacy group Challenging Homophobia in Sport Initiative. She was the recipient of the Federation of Gay Games Legacy Award in 2009 for academic scholarship and achievement in gender, sexuality and sport. Her book The Gay Games: A History, will be published in April 2010.

Peter Van Miltenberg is an athletics & cross country head coach and a Level 4 track & field coach. He was Australian open beach sprint champion 1978, Australian track & field team member 1982–1985, and represented Australia at the 1984 LA Olympics. He was a gold medallist at the 2002 Gay Games in track & field.

Dr Brent McDonald is a Lecturer in the School of Sport and Exercise Science at Victoria University, and regional editor for the International Journal of Eastern Sport and Physical Education. He teaches and researches in the field of sport, inclusion and identity on the basis of sexuality, ethnicity, age and gender. His research into Japanese sport has been widely published.

Sally Goldner has been out of the gender closet for over thirteen years and an active participant in Melbourne’s queer community for the last ten. This includes ongoing involvement with TransGender Victoria, 3CR’s ‘Out of the Pan', VGLRL, and Zoe Belle Gender Centre. Sally is an accountant specialising in the not-for-profit sector.

63

we just can’t help supporting MQFF

let’s get queer, honey

160 johnston street fitzroy vic 3065 * 9417 6503 * www.twenty21.com.au

OZ DOCS This year's excellent collection of Oz Docs covers a diverse representation of artistic subjects.

Representatives from the films will be in attendance for a Q&A in the Festival Lounge following Session 91.

gorrrgeous vonni

GORRRGEOUS VONNI Dir: Nathan Little & Charles Bracewell, Australia, 2009, video, 28 min Engaging documentary about Australia’s own Vonni – who made her name in the original Les Girls cast, performing all over the world for over 10 years. From her beginnings as a boy from SA, to her TV and stage celebrity, right through to her heyday in Sydney, we get to the heart of a mega-starlet. jess mcavoy – the sailor

JESS MCAVOY – THE SAILOR Dir: Jessica Smith, Australia, 2009, video, 8 min Melbourne based singer/songwriter Jess McAvoy talks about her passion for music and the challenges that come with it. Touching on issues of censorship and loneliness, Jess speaks candidly about the frustrations of being female and openly queer in a male dominated industry.

LIFE IS ELSEWHERE life is elsewhere

Dir: Davina Sutton-Driscoll, Australia, 2009, video, 27 min Charismatic identical lesbian twins Amy and Claire use art as a way to find their place in the world.

DARRYL Dir: Steve Lamattina, Australia, 2009, video, 9 min Short documentary about local musician and gay man of varied opinions, Darryl.

THE RISE OF LEATHERMAN darryl

Dir: Kim Munro, Australia, 2008, video, 10 min Part musical fantasy, The Rise of Leatherman follows Scott Watters as he competes for the inaugural Mr. Leather Australia/New Zealand. A short documentary about desire, ambition, self-acceptance and love. session date

Sun 21 March

2pm

91

Sun 28 March

12.30pm

ACMI studio, plaza level ACMI Cinemas the rise of leatherman

time

30

All films listed are shown at each session.

65

OZ SHORTS In partnership with the City of Melbourne, the MQFF is proud to present this year’s package of Australian shorts.

All films listed in the Oz Shorts package are eligible for The City of Melbourne Emerging Filmmaker Award for Best Australian Short Queer Film. The City of Melbourne has confirmed their long-standing support of the Festival by generously providing a $2000 cash prize for the award. The winner also receives a return airfare to LA, courtesy of V Australia. This year’s Oz Shorts judges are: Josephine Emery first wrote as ‘John Emery’ but began gender transition in 2005, as described in her memoir: The Real Possibility of Joy. She was Head of Screenwriting at Australian Film Television Radio School and Director of Literature at the Australia Council. She lives in Sydney and has published 5 books and written many feature films.

Cr Jennifer Kanis (City of Melbourne) is an Employment and Industrial Relations lawyer and Convenor of Victorian Women Lawyers. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Jennifer was a secondary school teacher and communications consultant.

Richard Sowada went from film festival director in Western Australia to ACMI’s Head of Film Programs.

Sowada is one of Australia’s most active screen culture practitioners whose love of film is rivalled only by the scale of his internationally recognised stamp collection.

Danae Gibson is JOY 94.9 General Manager, and a radio broadcaster who loves to watch film. Having made plenty of choc bombs during her cinema working days and plenty of faux pas in her reviewing times in Perth, Danae is eagerly anticipating her first MQFF.

Presented by

Neil Robertson joined the Virgin Blue Group in November 2008 as a Regional Industry Sales Manager, relocating from Sydney to Melbourne. In hindsight, the move was 'somewhat of an epiphany' as he and his partner, both avid film-ophiles, discovered MQFF. Neil is not only delighted but honoured to join the judging panel.

The award will be announced after the second screening on Saturday 27 March (Session 83).

BOMBSHELL Dir: Kim Farrant, Australia, 2008, video, 15 min A loaded bombshell is thrown into the laps of two Greek-Australian brothers forcing them to question their traditional beliefs and machismo identities as men. bombshell

LASH Dir: Elka Kerkhoffs, Australia, 2008, video, 6 min Celine discovers that religious persecution cannot kill the power of love.

THE HUMAN PRISM Dir: Ariel Crellin, Australia, 2008, video, 8 min

lash

66

The human prism

Like the light through a prism, Adrian's life is split in two as his choices take him on two different paths in the search for love.

trixie club

OZ SHORTS

neon skin

NEON SKIN Dir: Grant Scicluna, Australia, 2009, 35mm, 5 min A young man finds a connection with his blind friend that is unexpectedly sensual.

TRIXIE CLUB Dir: Kyle Van Heerden, Australia, 2008, video, 16 min

disarm

Jack is an average bloke out for his bucks night. His world is turned on its head when he stumbles into the Trixie Club.

DISARM Dir: Nathan Keene, Australia, 2009, video, 18 min Two men meet online for a hook up, but after an initial confrontation, they fall into conversation and have something they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect: a connection.

BREEDERS Dir: Douglas Brook, Australia, 2009, video, 9 min breeders

In a surreal all-gay world, the fight for heterosexual rights has begun.

SORRENTO Dir: Simon Larkins, Australia, 2009, video, 15 min Sorrento explores the bond between 3 close friends who discover a secret that will change their relationships and their understanding of each other forever. session date

18 83

Sat 20 March Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas sorrento

time

2.15pm 6pm

All films listed are shown at each session.

67

SHORT & GIRLY Lesbian lessons in the occult arts, relationships, time traveling clocks and digestive issues – it’s all here in one eclectic package of lesbian shorts from around the world. numerology

NUMEROLOGY Dir: Paula Durette, USA, 2009, video, 3 min A short animation that unveils the mysteries of lesbians through the occult arts.

FIVE MINUTES CINCO MINUTOS Dir: Ricky Mastro, Brazil, 2008, video, 10 min Portuguese with English subtitles When you spend your whole life beside one person, all the time in the world is not enough to say goodbye.

GIRL TALK FIVE MINUTES

Dir: Jennifer Smith, USA, 2008, video, 6 min Three high school girls find out that their friend, Kelly, went on a hot date over the weekend. The identity of the lucky person is a surprise to everyone.

LIE TOGETHER Dir: Jeanette L Buck, USA, 2009, video, 13 min

GIRL TALK

short name

68

LIE TOGETHER

In one afternoon, Margot and Claudia’s relationship is sliced open to reveal those moments when what is, what was and what could be collide.

SHORT & GIRLY

son of the preacher

rewind

SON OF THE PREACHER Dir: Jasmine Gervais, Canada, 2008, video, 5 min Billy, the preacher’s son, secretly falls for a mysterious and pretty new parishioner. But it seems she has other things on her mind.

REWIND 25 random things I did during my big fat lesbian depression

Dir: Cathie Boyd, UK, 2008, video, 19 min What happens in a relationship when the past intrudes on the present? Sometimes we can only hang on to the imprints we leave on each other’s lives.

25 RANDOM THINGS I DID DURING MY BIG FAT LESBIAN DEPRESSION Dir: Chris Russo, USA, 2009, video, 11 min After getting the shaft in an unbelievable break up, a lesbian reveals her enlightened, yet hysterical road to recovery.

WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT Dir: Linda Andersson, USA, 2008, video, 11 min A woman’s indecision to move in with her new girlfriend is aided by a possessed, time-travelling alarm clock.

FRESH AIR THERAPY FRISCHLUFT

when the time is right

THERAPIE

Dir: Christoph Scheermann, Germany, 2009, video, 6 min German with English subtitles Two women maintain the rage at couple’s counselling.

What the therapist tries for months, is achieved by a sudden incident in the dark. session date

28 90

Sun 21 March Sun 28 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

Noon 12.15pm

All films listed are shown at each session. fresh air therapy

69

SHORT & BURLY From misconstrued family obligations, to coming out to grandma and dealingwith leaving behind a long-time love â&#x20AC;&#x201C;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all here in this package of gay shorts from around the world.

after everything

AFTER EVERYTHING DEPOIS DE

TUDO

Dir: Rafael Saar, Brazil, 2008, video, 12 min Portuguese with English subtitles A loving elderly couple must endure the difficulty of saying goodbye again.

THE GOLDEN PIN Dir: Cuong Ngo, Canada, 2009, video, 15 min English and Vietnamese with English subtitles A young Vietnamese man must choose between his family obligations and his love for another man.

THE ISLAND Dir: Trevor Anderson, Canada, 2009, video, 6 min the golden pin

70

the island

In this irony laden short, the filmmaker considers, with the help of animation, a piece of fan mail he received.

SHORT & BURLY HOUSEMATES Dir: Lee Matthews, Australia, 2009, video, 5 min Aashiq lives a happy life, sharing a home with his lover David and his best friend, Aly. There’s just one thing he needs to do: come out to his mother.

THE PIECE OF FURNITURE

housemates

EL MUEBLE DE LAS FOTOS

Dir: Giovanni Macelli, Spain, 2008, video, 2 min Spanish with English subtitles The filmmaker takes us on a tour of his family's photos.

SECOND GUESSING GRANDMA Dir: Bob Giraldi, USA, 2008, video, 10 min A young Jewish guy is being pushing by everyone around him to come out to his traditional Grandma, but her reaction isn’t what everyone expected. the piece of furniture

NON-LOVE-SONG Dir: Erik Gernand, USA, 2009, video, 8 min On the last day of summer before heading off to college, two 18-year-old best friends attempt to connect as adults and for the first time in their lives share a real moment.

MOTHER KNOWS BEST MAMMA

VEIT HAVO HUN SYNGUR second guessing grandma

Dir: Bardi Gudmundsson, Iceland, 2009, video, 25 min Icelandic with English subtitles Gudini lives with his overbearing single mother in Reykjavík. She seems determined to ruin all of his relationships. Does she have a hidden agenda? session date

11 29

Fri 19 March Sun 21 March

ACMI Cinemas mother knows best

non-love-song

time

10pm 12.15pm

All films listed are shown at each session.

71

BOOBTUBE The latest and greatest in award-winning lesbian short films from around the world.

MAKE A MATE Dir: Jennifer Jordan Day, USA, 2009, video, 4 min A lonely woman finds a magical shop where she can craft an ideal mate.

THE LIGHT AND HER SHADOWS make a mate

Dir: Andrea Iannetta, India, 2009, 35mm, 11 min Julia, an American painter, and Avantika, a young Indian girl, develop an intimate friendship.

TROPHY Dir: Karla Di Benedetto, USA, 2008, video, 10 min A teenager’s routine visit to her father’s vacation home turns steamy when she finds herself unexpectedly attracted to her father’s fiancée. the light and her shadows

72

trophy

BOOBTUBE BACK TO LIFE Dir: Desi Del Valle & Hollie Lemarr, USA, 2009, video, 12 min Trista faces a moral crisis when she finds herself in an illicit relationship with her married best friend.

Director and star Desi Del Valle will be in attendance.

INNOCENCE REMAINS Dir: Nathalie Camidebach, USA, 2008, video, 15 min

back to life

Deborah lives an idyllic life with the woman she loves, until memories of a rape flood her consciousness and threaten to destroy her happiness.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE MY HEART! (AND MY FAVOURITE SWEATSHIRT) Dir: Gabrielle Zilkha, USA, 2009, video, 4 min The tale of Dr Seuss's infamous villain takes a bittersweet twist in this ode to getting dumped.

TOOLS 4 FOOLS Dir: Kate Brandt, USA, 2009, video, 8 min Comedian Julie Goldman stars as an infomercial huckster promoting recycled sex toys for girls in this ode to a greener sex life. session date

01 80

Thu 18 March Sat 27 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

6pm 2.30pm

Presented by

All films listed are shown at each session.

innocence remains

how the grinch stole my heart!

tools 4 fools

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COCKTALES From tragedy to comedy, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something for everyone in this package of international gay shorts.

last call

LAST CALL Dir: Nick Corporon, USA, 2009, video, 18 min Gavin is killed in an accident before reconnecting with his ex-boyfriend. Sitting in limbo, can he convince Fate to give him a second chance at love?

RAW LOVE AMOR CRUDO Dir: Martin Deus & Juan Chappa, Argentina, 2008, 35mm, 15 min Spanish with English subtitles Two friends spend the last days of high school together, knowing that life is about to change forever.

PASSING THROUGH PASAJERO Dir: Miguel Gabaldon, Spain, 2009, 35mm, 11 min Spanish with English subtitles Arturo is happy with his boyfriend, but his night is upturned when his ex-boyfriend Manuel passes through town.

74

raw love

passing through

COCKTALES

the armoire

THE ARMOIRE Dir: Jamie Travis, Canada, 2009, video, 22 min 11-year-old Aaron plays a game of hide and seek in which his friend Tony is never found. The mystery of their relationship – and of their queer attachment to the armoire in Aaron’s bedroom – can only be revealed, it turns out, through hypnosis.

A MATE KAVERI a mate

Dir: Teemu Nikki, Finland, 2007, 35mm, 7 min Finnish with English subtitles Pera wants to try something different and his long-time buddy is happy to oblige. What are friends for?

SOMBRERO Dir: Nathaniel Atcheson, USA, 2008, video, 12 min An awkward blind date in a Mexican restaurant quickly takes a turn toward the absurd. session date

05 55

Thu 18 March Tue 23 March

ACMI Cinemas

time

10.15pm 10pm

All films listed are shown at each session. sombrero

75

FEMME FATALITIES From erotic dreams to neurotic dates and bickering over intimacy, this collection of quirky tales will appeal to those wanting something a little more out of the box.

after lunch

AFTER LUNCH DEPOIS DO

ALMOĂ&#x2021;O

Dir: Rodrigo Diaz Diaz, Brazil, 2009, 35mm, 13 min Portuguese with English subtitles A revealed erotic dream changes a lazy family Sunday afternoon for two middle-aged friends. countertransference

COUNTERTRANSFERENCE Dir: Madeleine Olnek, USA, 2008, video, 15 min An awkward woman with assertiveness issues finds her problems just get worse via therapy in this multi-award winning short.

OH MY GOD Dir: Sabine Lebel, Canada, 2009, video, 1 min Staring out the window, looking out at winter, and thinking of you.

76

oh my god

FEMME FATALITIES THE SHEEP & THE RANCH HAND Dir: Loretta Hintz, USA, 2008, video, 12 min A woman discovers the joys of being a sheep. In being her bestial self, she experiences a freedom that is both unexpected and profoundly empowering

SCENTS SENTEURS Dir: Laura Schroeder, Luxembourg, 2008, 35mm, 16 min French with English subtitles the sheep and the ranch hand

Emma is married with a 6-year-old daughter. But as the day progresses, we learn that behind the monotony of her daily life, Emma lives an intense affair that is about to disrupt her life completely.

BUTTERY TOP Dir: Catherine Crouch & Kelly Hayes, USA, 2009, video, 4 min A jug of wine, a loaf of bread – but wait – what kind of bread? A comedy about a first date with extra baggage.

RUNNER Dir: David Meadows, Australia, 2009, video, 15 min

scents

Futuristic drama about sexy Atalanta who runs the rooftops of Interval City, an industrial metropolis ruthlessly governed by religious ferver.

BUTTHOLE LICKIN’ Dir: Kanako Wynkoop, USA, 2008, video, 5 min Two lesbians encounter some hilarious intimacy issues when a particular sex practice is discussed. session date

time

15

Sat 20 March

12.15pm

75

Sat 27 March

11.30am

ACMI Cinemas

ACMI STUDIO, PLAZA LEVEL

All films listed are shown at each session. buttery top

runner

butthole lickin'

77

SEX DRIVES & VIDEOTAPE This eclectic shorts package explores the gay male sex drive in all its diverse, and some times frightening glory.

chlamydia is not a flower

CHLAMYDIA IS NOT A FLOWER Dir: Annika Kurnick, USA, 2009, video, 4 min A young man learns from experience that chlamydia is not a flower.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER Dir: Patricia Bateira, Germany, 2007, video, 8 min German with English subtitles frequent traveller

At the security control system of an airport, a man goes to great lengths to make a connection.

WEAK SPECIES Dir: Dan Faltz, USA, 2009, video, 35 min Two alienated high school rivals gravitate toward increasingly risky sex and violence in an attempt to feel.

"A thoughtful, yet brutal, glimpse into two troubled teen lives." HomoPop Warning: Contains scenes of brutality and sexual violence which may disturb some viewers.

78

weak species

SEX DRIVES & VIDEOTAPE

heiko

HEIKO Dir: David Bonneville, Portugal, 2007, video, 13 min Portuguese with English subtitles A 70-year-old aesthete is in a relationship with a young man, Heiko. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fetishist relationship taken to the extreme.

IN THEIR ROOM Dir: Travis Mathews, USA, 2009, video, 20 min An erotic tour of the bedrooms of eight gay men in San Francisco, revealing the nature of their interests, vulnerabilities and turn ons. in their room

Best Erotic Film, Good Vibrations Indie Erotic Film Competition 2009

STEAM Dir: Eldar Rapaport, USA, 2009, video, 16 min Moving between anxiety, reflection and fear, two strangers try to make sense of their predicament...stuck in a sauna.

What is this place and how did they get here?

Winner Iris Prize 2009 session date

25 67

Sat 20 March Thu 25 March

ACMI Cinemas steam

time

10pm 10pm

All films listed are shown at each session.

79

Having a party? Make it a huge success!

Hire a slushy machine from Daiquiri King and select from over 50 flavours made fresh from fruit juices.

Call 1300 FROZEN or visit www.daiquiriking.com

TRANS PHATS Here’s an eclectic package of great trans shorts and docos guaranteed to entertain and enlighten.

Curated by Teague Leigh and Jonathan R Williams.

GORRRGEOUS VONNI Dir: Nathan Little & Charles Bracewell, Australia, 2009, video, 28 min Engaging documentary about Australia’s own Vonni – who made her name as an original Les Girls cast member, performing all over the world for over 10 years. From her beginnings as a boy from Elizabeth, SA, to her TV and stage celebrity, right through to her heyday in Sydney, we get to the heart of a mega-starlet.

TOMBOY Dir: Joanna Griebel, USA, 2008, video, 8 min When a young girl is sent away for being different, she must hold on to what’s most important or risk losing herself.

NAIL AND SKIN UÑA Y CARNE gorrrgeous vonni

Dir: Stine Maria Exler, Denmark/USA, 2008, video, 24 min Spanish with English subtitles Denise and Michelle are the unlikeliest of friends. What binds them? Being Puerto Rican? Being transgender women? Or simply being two radiant, kindred spirits?

SORRENTO Dir: Simon Larkins, Australia, 2009, video, 15 min Sorrento explores the bond between three close friends who discover a secret that will change their relationships and their understanding of each other forever. tomboy

DOOR PRIZE Dir: Zsa Zsa Gershick, USA, 2009, video, 7 min A proper Midwestern mother and a two-spirit, butch boi lesbian become unlikely confidants while waiting for the loo. A restaurant. A necktie. A line at the Ladies Room.

Peeing should never be so problematic. session date

14

Sat 20 March

ACMI cinemas

time

Noon

nail and skin

sorrento

door prize

81

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SHORTS SHMORTS The latest and greatest in award-winning gay short films from Israel.

TOM ‫תום‬

DEEP RED ‫אדום אדום‬

Dir: Nimrod Shapira, Israel, 2009, video, 24 min Hebrew with English subtitles

Dir: Eddie Tapero, Israel, 2009, video, 19 min Hebrew with English subtitles

An impossible love triangle – the relationship between Tom, Daniel and Michal – is about to undergo a test when the three go on a weekend camping trip.

Gur and Yuval will stop at nothing to make enough money for a fresh start in Berlin. As they approach their goal, the tension grows between them, until an unexpected event causes Gur to question both their plan and their relationship.

DOES NOT DEPEND UPON Dir: Avital Barak & Sie Gal, Israel, 2009, video, 8 min A young gay man confronts his sexuality, his inner demons and his fears on Yom Kippur.

AND THOU SHALT LOVE ‫ואהבת‬ Dir: Chaim Elbaum, Israel, 2008, video, 29 min Hebrew with English subtitles TOM

Based on the filmmaker’s life, And Thou Shalt Love examines the difficulties in being an Orthodox Jew and a gay man. The protagonist Ohad, who is studying the ‘Hesder’ programme for orthodox soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces, experiences profound loneliness while he conceals from others that he’s gay. Not even 40 days of fasting and repentance can change his reality.

Winner Best Drama,The Jerusalem International Film Festival 2008 Winner Best Short Film, Jerusalem Jewish International Film Festival 2008 session date

33

Sun 21 March

ACMI studio, plazA level

time

4pm

DEEP RED

DOES NOT DEPEND UPON

AND THOU ShaLT LOVE

83

QUEERIES Curated by Chantelle Kennedy, Michael Quach, Catherine Reidy and Micah Scott, these collections of international shorts explores gender and sexuality issues relevant to younger audiences.

Queeries 1 TROPHY Dir: Karla Di Benedetto, USA, 2008, video, 10 min A teenager’s routine visit to her father’s vacation home turns steamy when she finds herself unexpectedly attracted to her father’s fiancée. kristy

NEON SKIN Dir: Grant Scicluna, Australia, 2009, video, 5 min A young man finds a connection with his blind friend that is unexpectedly sensual.

KRISTY Dir: Marcia Ong, USA, 2008, video, 7 min

breath

An eight-year-old girl who is in love with her favourite T-shirt battles with her mother, who wishes she would start wearing dresses.

BREATH ZUCHT Dir: Margien Rogaar, The Netherlands, 2007, 35mm, 11 min Dutch with English subtitles 12-year-old Erik goes swimming with Sofie and her father.

Sofie is in love with Erik, but Erik is more interested in her father.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME the best is yet to come

Dir: Eunice Wu, USA/Taiwan, 2009, video, 15 mins Set during the much debated and highly public 2008 US presidential election and controversial California State Proposition 8 vote for same sex marriage, a young couple, Sam and Alice, confront their family, fears and dreams.

TOMBOY Dir: Joanna Griebel, USA, 2008, video, 8 min tomboy

When a young girl is sent away for being different, she must hold on to what’s most important or risk losing herself.

DIRTY MAGAZINES Dir: Jay J Levy, USA, 2008, video, 39 min In this 80s tribute comedy, a boy is in danger of losing his mother's love when she finds gay magazines under his bed the morning of his 16th birthday. Based on a true story. session date

17

Sat 20 March

ACMI cinemas

84

dirty magazines

time

2pm

Patrons 15 years and over may attend this session.

QUEERIES UEERIES Queeries 2 DISH Dir: Brian Harris Krinsky, USA, 2009, video, 16 min Emo kids Israel and Louie walk around their East LA neighbourhood dishing and ‘sexting’ about their classmates. After listening to Louie boast about his sexual escapades, Israel decides he has some catching up to do.

GIRL TALK dish

Dir: Jennifer Smith, USA, 2008, video, 6 min Three high school girls find out that their friend, Kelly, went on a hot date over the weekend. The identity of the lucky person is a surprise to everyone.

RAW LOVE AMOR CRUDO Dir: Martin Deus & Juan Chappa, Argentina, 2008, video, 15 min Spanish with English subtitles

yolanda

Two friends spend the last days of high school together, knowing that life is about to change forever.

YOLANDA Dir: Jo Horn, South Africa, 2009, video, 10 min Kevin tries to impress his gang friends by bragging about losing his virginity with gorgeous Yolanda. But the gang know something about Yolanda that Kevin doesn’t.

SUNSHINE SPARKLING IN MY EYES

UN PEU DE SOLEIL DANS LES YEUX Dir: Stéphane Botti, France, 2009, video, 10 min French with English subtitles

Raphael, 17-years-old, is in love. Here is the mystical story of the sometimes painful awakening of adolescence.

A SQUARE WITH THREE SIDES Dir: Katie Shannon, USA, 2009, video, 10 min A teenage girl uses exercise to distract herself from her sexuality and her parent’s bad marriage. sunshine sparkling in my eyes

THE ARMOIRE Dir: Jamie Travis, Canada, 2009, video, 22 min 11-year-old Aaron plays a game of hide and seek in which his friend Tony is never found. The mystery of their relationship – and of their queer attachment to the armoire in Aaron’s bedroom – can only be revealed through hypnosis. session date

89

Sun 28 March

ACMI studio, plaza level a square with three sides

time

Noon

Patrons 15 years and over may attend this session.

85

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Michelle BRISBANE CFP, B.Bus.Fin,B.Sc. Michelle BRISBANE Michelle BRISBANE CFP, B.Bus.Fin,B.Sc. Michelle BRISBANE CFP, B.Bus.Fin,B.Sc. Michelle BRISBANE CFP, B.Bus.Fin,B.Sc. CFP, B.Bus.Fin,B.Sc.

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Northside Clinic Proudly providing GP services to the GLBTI community Dr Richard Moore Dr Cate Sheppard Dr Ruth McNair Dr Jeff Willcox Dr Kelvin Adams Dr Jonathan Anderson Dr Catherine Lazaroo Dr Thai Lim Dr Chris Sherman Dr Gini Skinner Dr Danielle Stewart Osteopath Dr Stephen Morgan

Ph (03) 9485 7700 370 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy

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QUEERIES UEERIES Queeries 3 NOT SO STRAIGHT Dir: Peter George & Poppy Shmith, Australia, 2010, video, 60 min Not So Straight is a candid and engaging exploration of contemporary issues facing same sex attracted young people in Melbourne. Issues such as social exclusion, rural isolation, sexual identity and violence are interpreted through thought-provoking commentary and bold imagery.

A compelling documentary funded by the City of Melbourne and Family Planning Victoria, Not So Straight is a snapshot of the many triumphs and hardships of a diverse group of young people who just happen to be queer.

Their heartfelt personal stories and arresting insights will confront and challenge viewers to consider the true impact of heterosexism and homophobia.

Not So Straight has been written, directed and produced by awardwinning documentary makers Poppy Shmith and Peter George in collaboration with members of YAK, Family Planning Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support group for same sex attracted young people under 26.

Presented by

Plus

There will be a Q&A in the cinema immediately following the screening with filmmakers and stars of the documentary. session date

27

Sun 21 March

ACMI studio, plaza level

time

Noon

Patrons 15 years and over may attend this session.

87

CELLULOID CASSEROLE MQFF & LOOP present an eclectic menu of new Australian shorts. For just a gold coin donation you can see a collection of exciting new local titles. Now screening on two nights by popular demand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not so squeezy!

BLIND DATE Dir: Chris Ramos, Australia, 2009, video, 10 min

EVELYN EVERYONE Dir: Kylie Plunkett, Australia, 2009, video, 17 min

POTENTIAL EMPLOYEE Dir: Andrew Dunstan, Australia, 2008, video, 4 min

evelyn everyone

ASK AGAIN LATER Dir: Jessica SmIth, Australia, 2009, video, 11 min

FUGUE Dir: Logan Mucha, Australia, 2009, video, 6 min

BELIEVE IT?

blind date

potential employee

ask again later

fugue

All films listed are shown at each session.

Award announced after second session.

believe it?

two die

runner

love and other red spot specials

Dir: Chris Scherer, Australia, 2009, video, 7 min

TWO DIE Dir: Probir Dutt, Australia, 2009, video, 10 min

RUNNER Dir: David Meadows, Australia, 2009, video, 15 min

LOVE AND OTHER RED SPOT SPECIALS Dir: Lauren Anderson, Australia, 2008, video, 6 min session date

51 59

Tue 23 March Wed 24 March

loop

time

7.30pm 7.30pm

89

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03 9534 6833 info@steprightup.com.au www.steprightup.com.au

STEP RIGHT UP proudly supporting the 2009 MELBOURNE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL 10

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oďŹ&#x192;cial design sponsor MQFF www.beige.com.au

TOURING Every year, the MQFF packs a stylish valise, and sends off an excellent selection of queer titles that screen during the Melbourne season to our queer film starved friends in Perth, Bendigo and Far North Queensland. So if you can’t make it to the Melbourne screenings, pop on a bus, train or plane to catch the latest in queer film from Australia and around the world.

Bendigo Queer Film Festival Screening 9–11 April 2010 in Bendigo, Victoria.

For information, please visit www.bendigoqueerfilmfestival.com.au

GlamFest: Perth Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Screening 15–18 April 2010 at Astor Cinemas, Beaufort St, Mount Lawley, WA. For information, please visit www.glamfest.com.au

Tropical Alternatives: A Very Queer Film Festival Screening on various dates in April and May 2010 throughout Far North Queensland.

Supported by the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities.

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94

CREDITS Festival Office Level 8, 225 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia Phone: 61 3 9662 4147 Fax: 61 3 9660 3950 Email: info@mqff.com.au Website: www.mqff.com.au Festival Director Lisa Daniel General Manager Rowena Doo Sponsorship & Marketing Manager Kylie Eddy Festival Intern Alex Edwards Marketing Intern Ross Larkin Office Volunteer Andy Kow Finance Manager: Non Executive Steve Boxshall Festival Board of Management Claire Jackson, Co-convenor Tony Harding, Co-convenor Aydin Sipaloglu, Treasurer from Nov 09 Mal Lewis, Treasurer to Nov 09 Kris Darmody, Secretary Roberta Armitage to Nov 09 Cath Borg Steve Boxshall Aprâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Nov 09 Paul Clifton Scott Herron Steven 'Luke' Lucas Gerard Long Selection Panel Carol Christensen David Collins Lisa Daniel Kim Montgomery Stuart Richards Chris J Curran Grant Scicluna Leanne Sumpter Paul Tonta Queeries Panel Chantelle Kennedy Michael Quach Catherine Reidy Micah Scott Trans Panel Jonathan R Williams Teague Leigh

2010 Festival Key Art Design Chris Orr, Beige www.beige.com.au 2010 Festival Trailer Andy Lewis www.Iwnski.com Look for the trailer on the big screen at Federation Square throughout March.

Website Site creation: Rhombus Digital www.rhombus.com.au Hosting: Connexus www.connexus.com.au Management and Design: Gerard Long Data Monkeys: Steven Lucas and Claire Jackson Program Program Editor: Lisa Daniel Production Manager: Paul Clifton Program Layout & Design: Beige www.beige.com.au Program Notes: Lisa Daniel (LD), Madeleine Swain (MS), Paul Tonta (PT), Ben Zipper (BZ), Grant Scicluna (GS) Festival Graphic Design Beige www.beige.com.au Festival Publicist Limelight PR www.limelightpr.com.au Print Distribution Step Right Up Distribution & Promotion www.steprightup.com.au Program Launch Artistic Director and Production Manager: Tony Harding Catering: Alex Catering 03 9686 9626 Opening Night Party Artistic Director and Production Manager: Tony Harding Creative Team: Damien Rundell, Travis De Jonk Event Team: Suzy Green, Geoff Williams, Beth Gibbins, Susie Wickes Catering: Hoo Haa www.hoohaa.net.au Thanks to: Everyone at Volkswagen, Dean Bell and the Evolution crew, Danae Gibson and the team at JOY 94.9, Julieanne Goss, the {also} Foundation, John Mayall, John Taylor and Barbara Duci (Train Trak), Paul Kasteel (Hoo Haa), Gary Manuel and Neil Robertson (V Australia), Belinda Lee (Art Series Hotel Group), Karen Russell, David McCarthy, Jeffrey Winter and Orly Ravid (New American Vision), Fred White, Jason Ngam, Ayan Dasuarma, Warwick Dew, Leo Heimburger, Scott Young, George Florence and Terry McCombie (Astor Theatre), Richard Sowada, Richard Zimmerman, Natalie Grigg, Zanin Lawrence-Politis and Tamara Jungwirth (ACMI), Alex Green, Simone Ubaldi and Anthony McCarthy (Love Films), Jane Crawley, Vicky Guglielmo, Jo Gartner (City of Melbourne), Sandra Margulius (City of Yarra), Lex Lindsay (Queerscreen), Sarah Neal (Brisbane Powerhouse), Kristen Bacon (Loop) and all our generous and loyal sponsors and advertisers, our ever-patient ticket venues, and hard working volunteers!

Life Members Rowland Thomson, Crusader Hillis, Madeleine Swain, Suzie Goodman, miss jan horstman, David McCarthy, Richard Watts, Suzy Green, Rowena Doo, Luke Gallagher, Alex Green, Paul Tonta, Leanne Sumpter, Colin Billing.

2010 Patrons Stephen Hahn, Duncan Hewitt, Geoffrey Smith, Gary Singer.

95

INDEX COUNTRIES Argentina.... 35, 40, 74, 85 Australia.61, 65, 66, 67, 71, 77, 81, 84, 87, 89 Austria...................... 34 Bahamas, The........... 27 Belgium.................... 41 Brazil..... 17, 20, 53, 68, 70, 76 Canada.. 19, 69, 70, 75, 76, 85 China.................. 38, 42 Denmark.................. 81 Finland..................... 75 France.... 16, 32, 33, 35, 38, 45, 85 Germany..... 24, 26, 32, 69, 78 Greece...................... 44 Hong Kong............... 25 Iceland...................... 71 India......................... 72 Ireland...................... 53 Israel................... 30, 83 Italy.......................... 28 Luxembourg............. 77 Netherlands, The...... 84 Norway..................... 37 Portugal................... 79 South Africa.............. 85 South Korea........ 15, 31 Spain.16, 25, 31, 71, 74 Taiwan................ 38, 84 UK.... 29, 32, 36, 42, 43, 69 USA. 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 59, 63, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 84, 85

Panels Anti-Violence Panel. 61 Gender Panel............ 59 Masculinity Panel..... 57 Queer Sports Panel.. 63

96

FILMS

Edie And Thea.......... 53 Elvis And Madona.... 20 25 Random Things I Did Englishman In New During My Big Fat York, An................ 29 Lesbian Depression.... Evelyn Everyone....... 89 69 Eyes Wide Open....... 30 After Everything....... 70 Fig Trees.................... 19 After Lunch............... 76 Fish Child, The.......... 16 American Primitive.. 24 Five Minutes....... 53, 68 Ander....................... 25 Frequent Traveller..... 78 And Then Came Lola. 24 Fresh Air Therapy..... 24, And Thou Shalt Love. 83 69 Antique.................... 15 From Beginning To End..

Armoire, The....... 75, 85 17 Ask Again Later........ 89 Frozen Flower, A....... 31 Back To Life............... 73 Fugue....................... 89 Bamboo House Of Dolls. Girl Seeks Girl........... 31 25 Girl Talk............... 68, 85 Bandaged................. 26 Give Me Your Hand.. 32 Beautiful Darling...... 52 Golden Pin, The........ 70 Believe It?................. 89 Gorrrgeous Vonni.... 65, Best Is Yet To Come, The. 81 84 Greek Pete................ 32 Big Gay Musical, The. 26 Hannah Free............. 33 Blind Date................. 89 Heiko........................ 79 Bombshell................ 66 He’s My Girl.............. 33 Breath....................... 84 Holding Hands......... 61 Breeders................... 67 Hollywood Je T’aime.34 Butch Factor, The...... 57 Housemates............. 71 Buttery Top............... 77 How The Grinch Stole Butthole Lickin’. ....... 77 My Heart!............. 73 Children Of God........ 27 Human Prism, The.... 66 Chlamydia Is Not A Identities.................. 53 Flower.................. 78 Initiation................... 34 College Boys Live..... 52 Innocence Remains.. 73 Countertransference. 76 In Their Room........... 79 Dare.......................... 27 Island, The................ 70 Darryl........................ 65 Jess McAvoy - The David’s Birthday....... 28 Sailor.................... 65 Deep Red.................. 83 King Of Escape, The.. 35 Diagnosing Difference... Kristy........................ 84 59 Lash.......................... 66 Dirty Magazines....... 84 Last Call.................... 74 Disarm...................... 67 Lie Together.............. 68 Dish.......................... 85 Life Is Elsewhere...... 65 Does Not Depend Upon. Light And Her 83 Shadows, The....... 72 Door Prize................. 81 Lion’s Den................. 35 Drool......................... 28 Little Ashes.............. 36 Eating Out 3: All You Love And Other Red Can Eat................. 29 Spot Specials........ 89

Lucky Bastard........... 36 Make A Mate............ 72 Make The Yuletide Gay...

37 Man Who Loved Yngve, The....................... 37 Mate, A..................... 75 Miao Miao................ 38 Mother Knows Best. 71 Nail And Skin........... 81 Neon Skin........... 67, 84 Non-Love-Song....... 71 Not So Straight......... 87 Numerology............. 68 Oh My God............... 76 Out Of The Blue........ 38 Outrage.................... 54 Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!..

39 Paris Is Burning........ 54 Passing Through....... 74 Pedro........................ 39 Piece Of Furniture, The...

71

Plan B....................... 40 Pornography............ 40 Potential Employee.. 89 Prodigal Sons........... 55 Prohibited Senses.... 41 Raw Love............ 74, 85 Redwoods................ 41 Release..................... 42 Rewind..................... 69 Rise Of Leatherman, The....................... 65 Runner................ 77, 89 Scents....................... 77 Second Guessing Grandma.............. 71 Sheep And The Ranch Hand, The............. 77 Sombrero........... 29, 75 Son Of The Preacher. 69 Sorrento.............. 67, 81 Soundless Wind Chime..

42 Square With Three Sides, A................ 85

Steam....................... 79 Sunshine Sparkling In My Eyes................ 85 Telstar....................... 43 Thirteen Or So Minutes..

32 Tom.......................... 83 Tomboy.............. 81, 84 Tools 4 Fools............. 73 Training Rules........... 63 Trixie Club................. 67 Trophy................. 72, 84 Two Die..................... 89 Weak Species........... 78 We Are The Mods..... 43 We Have To Stop Now....

44 When The Time Is Right.

69 Woman’s Way, A...... 44 Yolanda.................... 85 You Will Be Mine...... 45

Iris Prize Festival Cardiff 6-9 October 2010 irisprize.org Produced by:

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