Reel Queer Flix returned for a second year to elebrate Oakland Pride week at the historic Grand Lake Theatre.
The lineup included beautiful experimental work to powerful documentaries from our Queer elders. The screening included a q&a with the filmmakers, moderated by Niema Jordan.
FILMS:
The program begins with 2 shorts highlighting the wonderful work of our program partners, including a profile of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, and a spotlight on the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District from Northern California Public Media’s “Connect the Bay.”
#SLAY by Ray de Mesa: In this hilarious satire, the mysterious death of a social media influencer kicks off a whirlwind of frenzy - and whiskers.
ACROSS by Matthew Riutta: A grieving father's journey over the Bay Bridge goes awry when he gives a ride to a homeless veteran.
AFFIRMATIONS by Marlon T. Riggs: Marlon Riggs expresses the hopes, dreams, and desires of gay Black men in this ode to queer African American empowerment. Built around outtakes of interview and protest footage from Tongues Untied,Affirmations begins as a candid, sex-positive confessional about first-time penetration and evolves into a rousing chorus of calls for freedom, recognition, and inclusion.
AFTER BED by TT Takemoto: Scavenged from color tests, the sole Asian American woman in James Broughton’s erotic film The Bed pulses with queerness through the celluloid cracks of 16mm, tape, and nail polish.
EN MEMORIA by Roberto Fatal (writer/director/producer) and Ali Meyers-Ohki (writer/producer): In a dystopian future, a mother struggles to finish making her daughter’s Quinceañera dress.
JOYCHILD by Aurora Brachman: An eight-year-old has an emotional conversation with their mother about gender identity.
I JUST WANNA DANCE by Amanda Beane, courtesy of the San Francisco Dance Film Festival: When two dancers are asked to partner at an audition, each struggle with the flip sides of homophobia before finding common footing. The dancers take a journey through genres of partner dancing, addressing homophobia and effeminophobia. Rooted in hustle, the dancers move through its various influences such as mambo and lindy-hop while integrating elements of contemporary hip-hop. During this duet, they develop a relationship, breakthrough societal norms, and come to terms with platonic intimacy.
LIKE WATER by Christopher Lopez: This animated tells the story of André, a 19 year old photographer from San Francisco who learns to let go and embrace himself.
SATURN RISIN9 by Tiare Ribeaux & Jody Stillwater - Queer performance artist and musician Saturn Risin9 returns home to the Bay Area to share their journey of perseverance centering self discovery, healing and creative expansion poetically told through documentary, dance, visual narrative, and performance.
EVENT INFORMATION
The screening runs 90 minutes, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Accessibility info: The venue is ADA-accessible. Open captions and ASL interpretation will be provided at the screening. If you will be using ASL interpretation, need seat accommodations, or have other accessibility needs, please email us at info@cinemamafilm.com so that we can reserve the appropriate spaces & seating.
The after party venue is ADA-accessible.
Questions? Contact us at info@cinemamafilm.com
