Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
San Francisco Examiner - November 14, 2002
From Dec. 6-8, the festival will focus on the diversity of the black LGBT community with a program of some 30 films from the United States, Haiti, Africa and Holland. Many of the movies illustrate the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among people of color.
Sponsored by the Black Coalition on AIDS Man2Man program, the festival's mission is to present film as an educational tool toward understanding black multi-sexual culture and preventing HIV/AIDS.
The festival opens with the black gay comedy "PUNKS," directed by Patrik-Ian Polk and starring Rockmond Dunbar ("Soul Food") and Seth Gilliam ("Oz" and "The Wire").
An urban "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" with a twist of "Waiting to Exhale," "PUNKS" follows the relationships of a diverse, tightly-knit quartet of gay, black and single men searching for love and happiness. Director Patrik-Ian Polk will attend opening night festivities.
The festival presents two world premieres by Stephanie Wynne. The comedy "Sweet Hideaway" has a straight black man suddenly finding himself living in a gay fraternity house. "The Cookie Project" is a documentary about a black man who becomes a transsexual lesbian. The graphic film takes the viewer inside the mind of a man who was a police officer, marine and army sergeant and deals with the harsh reality being consumed by gender identification.
Bay Area premieres at the festival include the documentary "Life on Christopher Street" directed by Maria Clara, which focuses on a growing subculture of black and Latino gay youth in New York City.
"The Execution of Wanda Jean," directed Liz Garbus, is a documentary about a poor black lesbian from Oklahoma on Death Row convicted of murdering her lover.
"Kali's Vibe," directed by Shari Carpenter, is about a young black woman is forced to confront her girlfriend's infidelity.
"Living With Mimi" tells about a classical musician (who also happens to be a bit of a hypochondriac) trying to find true love in the days of HIV and AIDS.
"I've Got What You Want," directed Teryl Warren, tells the tale of Emma Jane, a 19-year-old prostitute haunted by the memory of her murdered parents.
In the shorts category, "In The Boyfriend," directed by Chiedu Egbuniwe is about a guy who picks up a cute stranger in a bookstore for sex, talk and no promises.
In the biographical short "Goodnight Liberation," Bay Area filmmaker Oriana Bolden demands that audiences intimately view the topics of poverty's effect on the human body and the community.
In "Testing One...Two...," directed by Shawn Hinds, it's Puck and Quincy's first anniversary, but before they can enjoy it they must each deal with their own trials -- Puck gets an HIV test and Quincy has a college exam.
A young Surinamese woman is afraid to come out to her mother in the short "You2," directed Sasha Dees.
The festival also features films for youth, including "The Naked Truth," Michael Joyner's look at the lives of five black men who talk about issues ranging from HIV/AIDS to their own mortality.
"Queer Geography: Mapping Our Identities," directed by Rachel Bolden-Kramer, explores the lives of four queer teens ages 16-20.
The Brava Theater Center is at 2789 24th St. (at York Street), San Francisco. Tickets are $8 for most screenings; $35 for opening night. Visit www.ticketweb.com or call (415) 901-0210 for tickets; www.blacklgtbff.org for information.
021114
SE021101
Copyright © 2002 - San Francisco Examiner. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the San Francisco Examiner, Permissions Desk, 110 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 7260, San Franciso, CA 94120.
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .