Arts & Culture :: Movies
‘Isaac Julien: I Dream a World’ - de Young Museum’s Black queer visionary exhibition
Sir Isaac Julien's art is the subject of the first comprehensive retrospective survey in a U.S. museum setting, the largest exhibition focusing on his film, video, and photographic work, “Isaac Julien: I Dream a World,” at the de Young Museum.
‘Queens of Drama’ - a fresh take on pop stardom and fan obsession
As Alexis Langlois’ debut feature “Queens of Drama” begins, it’s the year 2055. The audience meets a YouTuber who goes by the name SteevyShady (Bilal Hassani), an arrogant queen who thinks their word is the last word on everything.
‘Last Dance at the Sundance Stompede’ - Film documents the beloved queer country-western dance tradition
For nearly three decades, the Sundance Stompede was more than just a dance event. It was a home, a haven, and a heartbeat of LGBTQ country-western culture in San Francisco. Now, the story of its final bow is being told on the big screen.
Queer faves at SFFilm’s 68th festival
Returning to its traditional 11-day run after last year’s unsuccessful weekend marathon, the 68th San Francisco International Film Festival screens April 17-27, based mostly in the Marina, Presidio, and Mission neighborhoods, as well as in Berkeley.
‘The Wedding Banquet’ – a queer classic gets updated
When filmmaker Ang Lee made “The Wedding Banquet” in 1993, the world was a very different place. Same-sex couples could not marry. A lot has changed since then. Those changes are clear and present in director Andrew Ahn’s new reimagining of the film.
‘A Nice Indian Boy’ - Jonathan Groff & Karan Soni in a charming gay rom-com
Director Roshan Sethi yearned for a big Indian wedding, a lavish and unashamed expression of love. “A Nice Indian Boy” is his fantasy fulfilled. It’s also his personal dream of family acceptance and belonging he’s yet to experience.
Arthur Dong films rereleased: celebrating LGBT and Asian stories on Blu-ray
Kino Lorber has released the Arthur Dong Collection, an expansive three-disc box set that features all of his LGBTQ and Asian American-themed documentaries, plus hours of extra features.
'Opus' gets too close for comfort
In "Opus," writer/director Mark Anthony Green's directorial debut feature, a young journalist gets invited to the odd private compound of a reclusive music legend, who may also be a creepy cult leader.
Janis Ian: Singer-songwriter on her music and a new documentary
Singer/songwriter Janis Ian is the subject of Varda Bar-Kar's informative documentary that covers her folk music career from the '60s, her now-famous 'Saturday Night Live' appearance, and the decades of her music afterwards.
'My Dead Friend Zoe' - Ghostly PTSD dramedy
You might see every plot point coming, but it doesn't matter because the performances by the lead actors are so compelling in director and co-writer Kyle Hausmann-Stokes' "My Dead Friend Zoe."
Hollywood honors: The Lavender Tube on the Oscars, 'White Lotus' and more
After weeks of hype, interviews with first-time nominees and first-time host Conan O'Brien, the 97th Academy Awards Oscars extravaganza did not disappoint.
Todd Haynes is 'Far from Safe' - Innovative film director's retrospective at Pacific Film Archive
Few film directors other than Todd Haynes defy convention, immerse in genre and turn it inside out, all with such focused production values that one can only sometimes gasp. Haynes will be at BAM/PFA for a retrospective of his works.
'Exteriors' - Indie film explores a trio of gay relationships
Writer/director Mark Schwab's new film "Exteriors" is divided into three parts that while unrelated, explore gay relationships with an intensity that's rarely seen on screen.
'Loren & Rose' a perfect career cap for Jacqueline Bisset
Jacqueline Bisset has been an international star for nearly six decades. Today, as she approaches 80, she remains radiantly beautiful. In her new film "Loren & Rose" she plays a role which seems to have been written for her, that of an aging film star.