Big Gay Picture Show

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema and more

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema & more

John Cameron Mitchell Working On Hedwig Sequel

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If you’ve never seen Hedwig And The Angry Inch, the 2001 film version of John Cameron Mitchell’s audacious gay/trans musical, you’ve missed a treat. In fact you should stop reading this and go get a copy immediately. The movie follows Hedwig, a German immigrant to the US, whose botched sex change operation leaves her with the titular ‘angry inch’.

Now it’s been revealed that Mitchell is working on a follow-up, which appears destined for the stage at the moment, but let’s hope for a movie version too. The news was revealed by the writer/director/star’s friend, Kevin Sessums (via Vulture), who spoke to Mitchell and briefly mentioned the movie. According to the piece, it will be ‘something that could only happen to Hedwig – a phantasmagoria with dollops of brutal reality interwoven into its multi-media narrative.’ The music will be provided by Kevin Trask, who also penned the tunes for the original.

Mitchell isn’t saying much though, simply noting, ‘We spend so much of our early lives trying to figure out who we really are. And we spend the rest of our lives preparing ourselves to let it go.’

We can only hope a movie version eventually arrives, as Hedwig is one of the best LGBT movies ever made. It’s far from impossible, as since his musical success, Mitchell has become a successful director with the likes of Shortbus and Rabbit Hole.

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Dustin Lance Black Is Planning An Earthquake With JJ Abrams

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Universal Pictures is teaming up with J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot production company for a new disaster movie, currently called Earthquake. The gay, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (Milk) has been hired to write the screenplay, according to Deadline.

No specific story details are known, although it has been revealed that this is not a remake of Universal’s 1974 film Earthquake, which starred Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner. J.J. Abrams will produce alongside his Bad Robot partner Bryan Burk. The project was first set up at the studio back in 2008, with The Omen writer David Seltzer penning the script.

J.J. Abrams will be competing with a similar project called San Andreas: 3D at New Line Cinema. Lost producer Carlton Cuse (and therefore a former Abrams cohort) is writing the screenplay for that one, with Brad Peyton (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) directing.

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Kevin Zegers Playing Gay In The Mortal Instruments

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Transamerica and It’s A Boy Girl Thing star Kevin Zegers has joined the cast of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones for director Harald Zwart, based on Cassandra Clare’s bestselling young adult novel. And even better, the hot young star is set to play gay in the film. The news hasn’t been officially announced yet, but Just Jared says Zegers has the role.

The movie is about Clary Fray (Lily Collins), a young woman living in New York City who discovers she comes from a long line of demon hunters. Zegers is set to play Alec Lightwood, the gay brother of Jemima West’s Isabelle. He despises Clary since he is in love with Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower), but Jace has feelings for Clary. Kevin Durand, Robert Maillet, Lena Headey, Jared Harris and Robert Sheehan also star.

Filming is set to begin August 20th in Toronto.

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2012 Outfest LGBT Film Festival Awards Announced

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LA’s Outfest is perhaps the world’s pre-eminent lesbian and gay film festival. It’s been running for the past week or so and the Outfest 2012 film festival awards concluded the event a couple of days ago at a brunch held at the Directors Guild of America.

So what won? Here they are:

Special Programming Awards
Special Programming Award for Freedom, Sponsored by The Mondrian Los Angeles
I AM A WOMAN NOW, Directed by Michiel van Erp
For illuminating the stories of the first generation of transwomen who forged their paths with grace, courage, and fabulousness and the pioneering surgeon who changed history for transpeople everywhere, the Outfest Special Programming Award for Freedom goes to I AM A WOMAN NOW, directed by Michiel van Erp.

Special Programming Award for Artistic Achievement, Sponsored by Fandango
SHE MALE SNAILS, Directed by Ester Martin Bergsmark
For its bold imagination, provocative storytelling, striking imagery and unshakable emotional impact, the Outfest Special Programming Award for Artistic Achievement goes to Ester Martin Bergsmark, director of SHE MALE SNAILS.
Special Programming Award for Emerging Talent, Sponsored by Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Marialy Rivas, Writer/Director
For crafting a stylistically fearless film to match the excitement, danger and chaos that can erupt with youthful sexual exploration, the Outfest Special Programming Award for Emerging Talent goes to Marialy Rivas, the writer/director of YOUNG & WILD.

Audience Awards
Outstanding Documentary Short Film, Sponsored by Ramada Plaza Hotel West Hollywood
A FORCE OF NATURE, Directed by Barbara Kopple

Outstanding Dramatic Short Film, Sponsored by Wolfe Video
THE FIRST DATE, Directed by Janella Lacson

Outstanding Documentary Feature Film, Sponsored by Greenhouse Studios
I STAND CORRECTED, Directed by Andrea Meyerson

Outstanding Dramatic Feature Film, Sponsored by Innovative Artists
ANY DAY NOW, Directed by Travis Fine

Outstanding First U.S. Dramatic Feature Film, Sponsored by HBO (cash prize of $5,000 from HBO)
MOSQUITA Y MARI, Directed by Aurora Guerrero

Jury Awards
Outstanding Documentary Short Film, Sponsored by Greenhouse Studios
THE DEVOTION PROJECT: MORE THAN EVER, Directed by Antony Osso
For its sensitive portrayal of enduring love that spans seven decades, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Short Film goes to THE DEVOTION PROJECT: MORE THAN EVER, directed by Antony Osso.
Outstanding Narrative Short Film, Sponsored by CRE Computer & Audiovisual Solutions
DOL (FIRST BIRTHDAY), Directed Andrew Ahn
For its honest exploration of the complexities of culture, family and relationships, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film goes to DOL (FIRST BIRTHDAY), directed by Andrew Ahn.

Outstanding Documentary Feature Film, Sponsored by Avalon
WILDNESS, Directed by Wu Tsang
With beautiful cinematography, a vibrant score and poetic storytelling, this year’s winning documentary succeeded in taking on the complexities of class, culture and difference in a most timely and brave fashion. The Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film goes to WILDNESS, directed by Wu Tsang.

Outstanding International Dramatic Feature Film, Sponsored by The Los Angeles Athletic Club
MY BROTHER THE DEVIL, Directed by Sally El Hosaini
For its taut narrative, sensitive interrogation of masculinity, excellent performances by an ensemble cast, and intense cinematic experience, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding International Dramatic Feature Film goes to MY BROTHER THE DEVIL, directed by Sally El Hosaini.

Outstanding Actress in a US Dramatic Feature Film, Sponsored by The Avenue Hollywood
Fenessa Pineda, MOSQUITA Y MARI
This actress brought nuance and subtlety to a fresh coming of age story. For beautifully capturing the fleeting moments of transition from innocence to curiosity to self-discovery, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film goes to Fenessa Pineda in MOSQUITA Y MARI.

Outstanding Actor in a US Dramatic Feature Film, Sponsored by Oxygen
Alan Cumming, ANY DAY NOW
For bringing depth, humor, fierce wit, and emotional integrity to a moving portrait of a man who unexpectedly finds a family and the strength to fight for it, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film goes to Alan Cumming in ANY DAY NOW.

Outstanding Screenwriting in a US Dramatic Feature Film, Sponsored by Yellow Cab
Ira Sachs & Mauricio Zacharias, KEEP THE LIGHTS ON
For masterfully constructing an emotionally honest portrait of a relationship that spans the better part of a decade and artfully weaving the mundane and the momentous, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Screenwriting goes to Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias for KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

Outstanding U.S. Dramatic Feature Film, Sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue
KEEP THE LIGHTS ON, Directed by Ira Sachs
This film resonated with us for its confidence, complexity, and emotional intelligence. For taking us on a challenging but poetic journey through the landscape of a long-term relationship, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding U.S. Dramatic Feature Film goes to KEEP THE LIGHTS ON, directed by Ira Sachs.

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Did Marilyn Monroe Swing Both Ways? A New Bio Says Yes

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If you want your biography to stand out from the pack, one of the popular things to do is say that the subject was gay, whether there’s much evidence for that or not. The latest to get a posthumous bisexual title is Marilyn Monroe, in Lois W. Banner’s new book, Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox.

An extract published by The Guardian says, “She had affairs with many eminent men – baseball great Joe DiMaggio, playwright Arthur Miller, director Elia Kazan, actor Marlon Brando, singer Frank Sinatra, the Kennedy brothers – and she married DiMaggio and Miller. Yet she desired women, had affairs with them, and worried that she might be lesbian by nature. How could she be the world’s heterosexual sex goddess and desire women?”

Banner postulates Monroe as a proto-feminist, far smarter than she’s sometimes given credit for, although tormented by her demons – which the extract suggests included what we’d now call sex addiction. It’s not the first time Monroe’s sexuality has been questioned, although there’s not really all that much credible evidence she was genuinely bisexual. It’s a good way to sell books though.

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Bridegroom Documentary Becomes Highest Funded Kickstarter Film Project Ever

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A few days ago we reported that the documentary Bridegroom was seeking funding on Kickstarter. Well, now only has it already broken through it $300,000 funding target, but it become the highest funded film in the history of Kickstarter. While more than 7,000 films have sought funding through Kickstarter, no other project has reached the $384,375 pledged to Bridegroom.

It’s perhaps unsurprising it found so many backers, as the project stems from a tragic video posted online a few month’s ago, which went viral and touched millions of people around the world.

The video, It Could Happen To You charted Shane Bitney Crone’s experience after the death of his boyfriend, Tim. The dead man’s family had never accepted Tim’s sexuality and froze Shane out, taking him body back to Tim’s home state for burial and supposedly threatened him with violence if he attended the funeral. The Youtube video was viewed 2.7 million times.

The ambitious plan is to have the feature-length documentary ready to premiere in October. Designing Women creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason is set to direct.

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Kellan Lutz To Play One Of The Few Straights In A Gay World

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Poor straight people. They’re always being oppressed by the gay masses. Or at least they will be in Love Is All You Need, a new movie that THR reports has just signed Twilight hottie Kellan Lutz and Open Road’s Camilla Belle to star.

The movie follows several storylines set in a world where being gay is considered the norm. The rather slight Belle will play a star American football quarterback who is adored by a large fan base while Lutz will be an aspiring journalist. The two of them fall in love, keeping their relationship secret due to public dislike of straight couple, but when the romance becomes public, the two find themselves being bullied. It hasn’t been revealed what other storylines the film might explore.

The film is based on a short by Kim Rocco Shields (you can watch a trailer for that short below), who will direct the movie, and co-wrote the feature script with David Tillman.

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Jack & Diane Trailer – Riley Keough & Juno Temple fall in love, with a dash of horror

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Jack And Diane has long been billed the ‘lesbian werewolf movie’, although that’s a bit of a misnomer. Now we get our first look at the movie, which is about the title character (June Temple and Riley Keough) who are two teenage girls that meet in New York City and spend the night kissing ferociously. Diane’s charming innocence quickly begins to open Jack’s tough skinned heart. But when Jack discovers that Diane is moving she pushes her away. Unable to grasp her new feelings, Diane’s emotions begin to cause unexplainable violent changes to her body. Through these awkward and insecure feelings, the two girls must struggle to turn their first love into an enduring one. There are elements of horror to the film, but to call it a ‘lesbian werewolf movie’ isn’t quite right. The film premiered at Tribeca in April, and will hopefully get a release later this year.

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It Gets Better Seeks New Stories For MTV Special

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Last February, the inspirational stories of three LGBT young people were seen by millions when the first It Gets Better documentary special premiered on MTV and Logo in the US. It featured several of the more than 50,000 inspirational It Gets Better videos that have so far been uploaded to the likes of Youtube and the It Gets Better website, with people talking about how difficult LGBT experiences in their youth led to a happier adulthood.

The positive response to It Gets Better continues with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences last week nominating the special for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Nonfiction, Reality or Reality-Competition Program.

It Gets Better is now in the final phases of casting the second special, set to air in America this autumn, and they are once again looking for people who are open to sharing their stories on-camera. If you or someone you know would like to share your experiences of growing up LGBT, you can follow the link below to read the casting notice: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/mtvcasting

This week the It Gets Better message continues to spread as the special is set to on MTV networks in Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Korea, Canada, as well as on MTV Latin America and MTV Asia. For those of us in the UK, it premieres Wednesday July 25th at 10.00pm.

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Man Of Steel Teaser Trailers – First look at Zack Snyder’s take on Superman

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Two different Man Of Steel teaser trailers debuted ahead of The Dark Knight Rises on Friday and now both of those have popped up online, and you can watch them here! It certainly suggests a new, grittier, more elegiac feel for as Superman movie, which perhaps isn’t surprising ans Chris Nolan is producing (with Zack Snyder directing). It’s mainly build-up with little special effects, but a nice debut for the film nonetheless, and shows us that this Clark Kent is going to be hiding from his destiny. Take a look at them both and see which you prefer. They are pretty similar, but with different voiceovers – one from Kevin Costner as Superman’s earthly father and the other with Russell Crowe as his alien daddy! As well as Henry Cavill as Superman the movie stars Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Shannon as General Zod. Man Of Steel hits cinemas on June 14th, 2013.

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