A gay African-American gang isn’t something you’d expect to get a bit of limelight, but the story of a Washington DC group and the documentary about it, has brought on Steve Buscemi as an executive producer, and now Louis CK as a distribution partner. The comedian has released the movie via his website for $5, hoping to give it a bit more exposure than it might get otherwise.

Louis says of the film (via Instinct), “It knocked me right over. It was an amazing emotional ride. It was funny and moving, I learned a lot and it gave me a lot to think about after. It’s about a gay black street gang in DC (the only one documented in the country) made up of kids who were living on the streets and easy targets for violence and harassment. They started this gang to protect each other. They made a family where they didn’t have one.”

“It takes on life right where the rubber hits the road. What made me love it was just the kids themselves. They are like any kids, like anyone’s children. They are trying to cope against terrible odds, they are funny and full of hope and life. Their lives are difficult and complex. They are very generous in sharing this with the filmmakers and you, if you watch the film.”

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Check It is about a gay African-American gang struggling to survive in one of Washington D.C.’s most violent neighborhoods. The film is an intimate portrait of 4 childhood friends – as they claw their way out of gang life through an unlikely avenue – fashion. With members now numbering in the hundreds, the Check It is a small gang in one city but it reflects a national issue. Being gay in poor, violent African-American neighborhoods carries a dangerous stigma. Standing up for who they are is more than an issue of pride for this group—it’s risking their lives.’

Take a look at a preview below, and if you like what you see, head over to LouisCK.net to watch the whole thing. [Read more…]

The Panzi Invasion has screened at various places over the last year, but now it’s available to view online for free for a limited time. It’s not surprising it’s available now, as its looks at the last 40 years of the ‘Invasion Of The Pines’, when LGBT people descend on Fire Island on the July 4th weekend.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘After forty years of fabulous drag queens, killer costumes and gender bending beauties; the political roots of the event may not be so obvious to those attending this annual July 4th celebration, but the message of equality and freedom are still as relevant today as when Panzi and a crew of protesters staged the original Invasion in 1976.

As gay rights have progressed, the Invasion has been used to take a satirical look at the world around us. Long before Congress was hashing out marriage equality, invaders were challenging the mainstream ideals and demanding change by fighting against bias, AIDS, sexism, bigotry and traditional gender roles.

It’s so much more than a day of drinking and drag. It is a tradition that honors those that came before us and it’s a glimpse into what the world would be like if we had true openness and independence.

Using both current and archival footage, we are guided through forty years of gaiety with local celebrities Panzi, Bianca Del Rio and Hedda Lettuce; as well as Grove residents and Invaders from around the world telling their personal stories.’

You can watch the film over at www.panzimovie.com. Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]