gay cinema

You know what I love about independent gay cinema? It's bold, uncompromising and queer filmmakers do whatever it takes (with in reason here folks) to tell their story. Director Robert Gaston continues to do just that. In his third feature (behind 2 Minutes Later and Open Cam), Gaston heads to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, which lends itself to be a very ominous setting for his latest flick Flight of the Cardinal (starring our boyfriend Matthew Montgomery of course), which World Premiere's tonight at Philadelphia Qfest. We had a chance to catch up this weekend with the 2 super-cute newcomers David J. Bonner and Ross Beschler. Check it out.

One of the hottest DVDs being released these days is Pornography: A Thriller by David Kittredge and stars Matthew Montgomery (our boyfriend) and Steve Callahan. I could go on about how much I love this edgy director, but why not hear what he as to say when Robbie O interviews him. He even references one of the daddies of gay porn, Wakefield Poole!

NO WHALES IN WALES…

I recently had the honor of attending the Iris Prize Film Festival in Cardiff, Wales. And by recently I mean two months ago. To call me a procrastinator would not only be a sad understatement of truth, but a welcomed compliment as far as I’m concerned. As the old saying goes - It’s not easy being me. Who said that? Rodney Dangerfield I think. Listen, being an actor is HARD (We are keeping it clean since it's the holidays and all.) Constantly having to look pretty, spending endless hours in front of the mirror practicing my winning smile, checking my star meter rank on IMdb on a daily basis to make sure I haven’t dipped below the 20,000 mark. HARD, I tell you. (Ok, I couldn't resist the second time around.)

Where was I?… right - Wales. So I get this call from overseas one day—actually it was an email, but getting a phone call from overseas sounds much more important, so phone call it is. So I get this "phone call" from some guy with a funny accent who asks if I want to skip over the pond (that’s what they call it), and take a trip over to Cardiff, Wales as part of the Jury of the Short Film Selection, an award and prize that is actually pretty incredible and is one of the few these days whose primary agenda is promoting up and coming short filmmakers. Incidentally, one of the films I’m in this year, Redwoods, (directed by David Lewis) was part of their Feature Film Selection, competing for the feature film award alongside some other great works including, Hollywood je t’aime (directed by Jason Bushman), The Big Gay Musical (directed by Casper Andreas and Fred Caruso), Highly Strung (directed by Sophie Laloy), Give Me Your Hand (directed by Pascal-Alex Vincent), and Fiona’s Script (directed by Florencia Manovil).

So I went. No shit, right? Free trip to Wales. All the attention and alcohol I want for a week? Count me in.

When I arrived, I was a bit stunned at the false advertisement of the city’s name. There wasn’t ONE whale is ALLLLLL of Wales, and trust me, I looked. Also, EVERYONE was driving on the wrong side of the road! And somehow, they’ve managed to get away with roping everyone in on it. Someone really needs to tell them. Looks pretty dangerous to me. I thought by my not driving, I’d escape this crazy, backwards road insanity. Nope. Being a pedestrian isn’t any better. In fact it might even be worse. I almost got run over by a honking car driving on the wrong side of the road at least twice a day. I counted. By day two, I was beginning to feel like I was playing a reality show version of Frogger.

Other than the crazy drivers, and mediocre plumbing, (and the lack of whales in Wales), the rest of the trip was pretty spectacular. Redwoods even won BEST FEATURE - and I only had to blow one person to get it!

If you want to track this self-proclaimed movie star besides Homopop, check out Matthew's website Matt-Montgomery.com.

There are very, very few films out there that shock the hell out of you and make you want more at the same time. Quite frankly; some people can't handle it. Earlier this year the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival refused to support their gay British filmmakers by not programming this film because it too racy and raw. Clearly, they couldn't handle it. I don't know about you, but I really can't get enough of films that are not afraid to push boundaries and Shank is certainly the film that does put you on edge.

Here in the US, this brilliant, risque yet often-times sentimental narrative has been overwhelmingly received. People just can't get enough of it—especially with cutie Cal played by Wayne Virgo and beefy Jonno played by Tom Bott. Now, I'm not going to waste your time telling you how much I love this film because I want you to go right to the video and watch Rexx and Nick Starr drool all over the boys... and the film.

We have been saving this little nugget for a long time waiting for the right opportunity to unveil our very special interview when Robby O catches up with Mink Stole. If you don't know who Mink is then a) we might have to take away your gay card and b) you better watch every John Waters' movie ever made because she is the one staple actor in every. single. film. (If you ask who John Waters is then I feel very, very, very, very, very sad for you.)

Ok maybe I'm being a little harsh because I am sure some of you 20-something gays may not have been born yet during the hay-day of such classic queer cinema like Female Trouble, which is currently out of print or Pink Flamingos. But I am sure you have seen Mink (pictured here with Rexx during Philadelphia QFest) in recent independent hits like Out at the Wedding and A Dirty Shame. And that's why we are here! Recently, the Eating Out series has birthed a new feature and Mink is once again part of it. Traditionally Stole portrays the quirky female character that always throws a curve ball into every plot and in Eating Out: All You Can Eat (the third in the series is written by the dynamic gay writing duo Q. Allan Brocka—Rick & Steve & Boy Culture, and Phillip J. Bartell) she stars as Aunt Helen. You have to see the movie because we aren't going to give you any more details my friends. But know this... the third installment features young, hot boys—twinks and studs alike—so run right out and get your copy today! Or just order online here.

Regardless, we are so thrilled that the legendary, avante-garde actress was able to take time out of her busy schedule (she is busy with her band and advice column) and chat with us a for a few minutes. We are not worthy Mink Stole. We are not worthy.

I don't know if you all know this, but there is a sexy, indie gay-themed film coming out in theaters in NYC and LA this Friday on Nov. 13th called Dare. It might have fallen off your radar or maybe you haven't heard of it yet, but this hot little gem is a flick you need to check out. Since Brokeback Mountain exploded on the scene a few years ago, quality gay indie movies seem to have jumped the shark like Fonzy did in the Happy Days' Hawaiian episode. Now it seems that almost every movie being released has some sort of "homo" character as part of the supporting cast who's listed waaaay down at the bottom of imdb.com film page. After wading through the muck for a few years, along comes this seductive and provocative coming-of-age narrative that will restore your love for independent films again.

Dare (starring Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Ashley Springer, Sandra Bernhard, Alan Cumming and Ana Gasteyer) orginally splashed down during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival where it received a whole lot of buzz, and shortly afterwards director Adam Salky and writer David Brind landed a distribution deal for their baby. So we sent film critic Robby O on the case to interview the thought-provoking director and here's what he had to say... READ MORE

Vapid I know, but we recently discovered a trailer for Gaze, which is this documentary being made right now! Ok we really didn't discover it but we feel its really worthy to post. Why? Here are 4 reasons:

1) It's GAY folks.
2) Rebel filmmaker Matt Riddlehover (Watch Out) sent it to us.
3) It features 20 of the hottest gay artists (photographers, fimmakers, etc...) who put their ass and work on the line for the sake of gay visibility.
4) Because it looks really fucking sexy and we want to help out our gay brethren.

Gaze profiles amazing artists like Adam Bouska (he is responsible for the photographs of the "No H8" campaign), decadent illustrator J. David McKenney and of our favorite fucked-up avant garde filmmakers Bruce La Bruce, (Otto; or, Up with Dead People, Hustler White) just to name a few.

I do think Matt is touching on something important here and that beauty is not only defined by washboard abs, even though we love our HOMOPOP boys Dwayne's and Mike's abs; rather it is define by what you think is beautiful. Hmm, insightful if I do say so myself.

This does lead me to this past weekend when Mike and I traveled to DC to hang out with Jade and Shannel from "RuPaul's Drag Race". Talk about two beautiful people - seriously. For those who thought these ladies were bitches, well there is more to them than what meets the eye. We had a blast following them around to the White House and then shopping for beauty supplies. I can't wait to get up the video of our trip. They really are two classy ladies even though later that evening we caught them hanging out in a back alley and then coming out of a port-a-john. Hey, to each there own, right?

Filmmaker Kit Hung was born and raised in Hong Kong, studied film at the Art Institute of Chicago and now lives with his partner in Switzerland. He’s no stranger to immersing himself in different cultures and it certainly shows in his first feature Soundless Wind Chime – an emotional, kaleidoscopic study of love, death, grief and the search for solace.

Blending fantasy and reality in a non-linear structure, the film follows Ricky on his journey from Hong Kong to Switzerland in search of his deceased Swiss lover Pascal’s past. Through memories and flashbacks, we’re given an intimate view of their culturally diverse relationship.

It is easily one of the most challenging and experimental feature length films in the gay film festival circuit at the moment and has been receiving rave reviews as it screens around the world.

Writer/director/producer Kit Hung took time out of his busy schedule to speak with Homopop about Soundless Wind Chime.

Captured at the opening night party at our very own Philadelphia QFest, this catchy little video asks the simple question, "What's your favorite gay film?" Answers range from Brokeback Mountain to Clueless(?) and Latter Days. What's yours?

The world is decidedly a much less fiercer place than it once was, with the confirmed passing of Octavia St. Laurent. For those of you children not in the know, Miss Octavia was one of the legendary stars of director Jennie Livingston's fan-fucking-tabulous award-winning documentary Paris is Burning. (Many of you will recall her on-point gagger during the film's credits, when she nonchalantly tossed off the entire male species with one very cunty quip).

I had heard of her passing over the weekend, yet didn't want to post anything until it was confirmed. This is going to be a very personal post: I worked very closely with Miramax back in the day upon the film's release, and was house manager and booker at one of the only theatres to be given access to some of the film's stars - complete with limo rides, private fund-raisers, and late-nite after-hours parties with some true legends, including the late Dorian Corey and Pepper LaBeija - both of whom I miss. Octavia transformed herself over the years, even appearing later on in the unofficial Paris sequel How Do I Look.

Octavia's passing marks another loss in the list of the film's stars who are no longer with us. There has never been (IMO) a more defining, life-affirming, gay-positive, quotable, fuck-the-haters, gender-and-race stereotype destroying, or important doc than Paris, and thank fucking Christ it finally came out on DVD. (Click here to read an amazing review of the film.)

I privately told RuPaul the sad news other day, as he and I kee-kee over the flick constantly. The Supermodel of the World said: "Oh, shoot. Well she had a fabulous run. And she'll [always live on and] be remembered by you and me." Well, Keeneye here is going to make sure y'all remember her, too. (A big shout out to the New York Times for their coverage.) As Dorian so eloquently put it at the end of Paris - "If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high? Hooray for you." Well, Miss Octavia shot her arrow, alright - straight to the hearts, minds, and souls of all future legends. Honey, you're now as free as the wind on that beach, and your voice will always still be there.