The New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) has announced a special LGBTQ+ Film Showcase to mark the beginning of Pride Month. This event will take place at the Broad Theater on May 29-30 and will also be available for virtual streaming from May 29 to June 2, 2024.
This four-film series is designed to highlight the diverse and vibrant spectrum of LGBTQ+ stories from around the globe. The showcase includes two contemporary films that address current issues and portray LGBTQ+ life from both international and American perspectives: Desire Lines, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and Queendom, which was first shown at SXSW.
In addition to these new releases, the showcase will feature two classic films that have significantly influenced queer cinema: Tongues Untied (1989) and The Watermelon Woman (1996). These films have played a crucial role in expanding the boundaries of queer representation in the film industry, particularly by centering the experiences and perspectives of Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
For more information about the film lineup and to purchase tickets, visit neworleansfilmsociety.org/lgbtq-film-showcase.
Film Lineup:
Desire Lines
Director: Jules Rosskam | Country: USA | Year: 2024 | Duration: 81 min.
Synopsis: An Iranian-American transman, Ahmad, searches for his place in history and discovers more than just a link to the past in the archives. The film blends first-person accounts with fictionalized segments to explore the intersections of desire and identity for many transmen.
Trailer: Watch here
Queendom
Director: Agniia Galdanova | Countries: USA, France | Year: 2023 | Duration: 98 min.
Synopsis: This documentary follows the fearless, queer Russian performance artist “Gena,” who risks her life making astonishing drag appearances on Moscow’s streets. Arrested for protesting Putin’s war in Ukraine, her survival hinges on escaping to the West. Presented in Russian with English subtitles.
Trailer: Watch here
Tongues Untied
Director: Marlon Riggs | Countries: France, Belgium | Year: 1989 | Duration: 55 min.
Synopsis: A radical blend of documentary and performance, this film addresses the stigmas surrounding Black gay sexuality through music, dance, and poetry by pathbreaking writers. It aims to shatter the silence on matters of sexual and racial difference.
Trailer: Watch here
The Watermelon Woman
Director: Cheryl Dunye | Country: USA | Year: 1996 | Duration: 84 min.
Synopsis: This landmark film, the first American feature directed by a Black lesbian, critiques classic Hollywood’s racist stereotypes. It follows a video store employee and budding filmmaker who makes a documentary on an actress known for “mammy” roles, uncovering hidden histories and forging her own identity.
Trailer: Watch here
Membership and Support
NOFS members can enjoy discounts on passes and individual tickets, with higher-tier members receiving free all-film passes. For more details on becoming a member, visit neworleansfilmsociety.org/become-a-member.
The LGBTQ+ Film Showcase is sponsored by Gilead Sciences Inc. and supported by various grants, including those from the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The event’s media sponsor is The New Orleans Advocate – Times-Picayune.
For further information visit neworleansfilmsociety.org.
LGBTQ+ Film Showcase
