By Sharon Gittleman
ROYAL OAK – Looking for a little thrill? If adding some excitement to your life was among your New Year's resolutions for 2005, you'll want to pencil the Reel Pride Michigan GLBT Film Festival in your date book. The onscreen romances, comedies and dramas are just the start of the fun.
While you'll have the chance to see dozens of gay and lesbian love stories, moving documentaries, campy classics and European art films at the festival, running from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak, it's the extras that make this year's Reel Pride Michigan so special, said Triangle Foundation Events Coordinator Stephanie Newman.
On the festival's opening night, a gala party awaits movie-lovers at the nearby Jim Fresard Automotive Dealership following the 8 p.m. premiere of "Straight-Jacket," a farce about Hollywood in the 1950s McCarthy era.
"Adam Greer, a co-star from the film, will be there," said Newman. "He's very excited about coming out here and being part of the gay and lesbian festival."
While Greer has appeared in TV soap operas including "Guiding Light" and "As the World Turns," "Straight Jacket," released last year, is his first major film.
"It's an opportunity to meet him before he really takes off," she said.
Gala attendees can bid for a chance to pose with Greer for a professionally shot photograph taken on the spot, with the actor's autograph included in the package. Signed posters will also be on the auction block.
Treats made by Fandangos will be served and a DJ will play the latest tunes at the party. All the money raised during the event will be used to fund the Triangle Foundation's activities.
On Sunday, Jan. 30, you can enjoy a brunch at the theatre following the 11:15 a.m. screening of "Gay Pioneers," a documentary about the founders of the GLBT liberation movement in the mid-1960s. "Gay Pioneers" producer Malcolm Lazin and Frank Kameny, one of the subjects of the film, will meet with movie-goers.
Immediately after the brunch, "In Good Conscience: Sister Jeannine Gramick's Journey of Faith," will be screened with Sister Gramick and director Barbara Rick on hand to answer viewers' questions.
"In Good Conscience" tells the story of a nun who defied her Cardinal's order to end her crusade for LGBT rights in the Roman Catholic Church (see interview with Gramick and Rick on p. 8).
"I encourage people of faith to come see her. She leaves people with a sense of peace," said Newman. "She believes we need to stand up for GLBT equality."
Later that day, after the 4 p.m. screening of "The Experiment: Gay and Straight," two cast members from that film will visit with attendees.
"'The Experiment,' is a film showing how gay and straight people living together can break down stereotypes by just getting to know each other and talking," Newman said. "Everyone I've talked to has been in tears after seeing this movie. It's won award after award. It's a powerful movie."
While meeting movie stars, watching films and dancing the night away are sure to add their share of thrills, the Triangle Foundation has even more fun in store for festival viewers. Before each movie is screened, ticket-holders will have the chance to win prizes, including gift certificates and merchandise donated by Decades, Just4Us, and A Woman's Prerogative. Other prizes from anonymous donors will also be raffled off, including a new digital camera and gift baskets.
Newman said organizers looked for the best the screen had to offer for the event, from romance to drama.
"This year the quality has gone up," she said.
While lately gay characters have popped up in the movies and on TV, Newman said viewing mainstream movies with a few LGBT roles doesn't offer the same rewards as watching a queer film.
"There's a big difference between seeing my story on the big screen and a part of my story on the big screen," she said. "We're empowered by witnessing our own stories."
Newman said she found the 22 Reel Pride shorts and features by contacting producers and independent movie-makers and pouring over LGBT film festival programs.
"This year we got four times the amount of submissions than ever before," she said.
Reel Pride's selection committee represented many parts of the LGBT community, from youths and lesbians to African-Americans and gay men, said Newman.
Newman has one hope for the 6,000 people expected to watch the movies at the festival.
"I would envision people would have a great time and be educated, enlightened and empowered by seeing our stories on film," she said.
