Every year millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Saudi Arabia to complete the Hajj in Mecca, a pligrimage seen as a religious duty which every follower of Islam should complete at least once (if they are capable). However, what if you are gay and wish to go on the Hajj, even though the fact homosexuality is illegal in Saudi, and many Muslims believe being gay is one of the worst sins there is?

It’s something Parvez Sharma had to face, and he decided to film his journey, something made far more difficult not just because you can still be executed for homosexuality in Saudi Arabia, but also because filming in Mecca is banned. While he filmed on iPhones and other small cameras to try to go under the radar, he still had equipment seized and footage deleted, although thankfully the fact he was gay did manage to slip by the authorities.

The documentary he made, A Sinner in Mecca, premiered last week as the Hot Docs Festival in Toronto, and a trailer for the film has been released too.

The Indian-born director told CBS News, “The Hajj is the highest calling for any Muslim. For years I felt I really needed to go, so this film is about me coming out as a Muslim. I’m done coming out as a gay man.”

A Sinner In Mecca has already met with condemnation in some places, including Iranian state media denouncing the documentary as a ‘Western conspiracy’, which is designed to legitimise the ‘despicable sin of homosexuality’.

Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

One of the big hits of this year’s Sundance was Tangerine, which initially ignited interest due to the fact the whole thing was shot in iPhones, but then had people gushing with praise for its actual content.

It’ll arrive in US cinemas on July 10th, and ahead of that comes a red-band trailer.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘It’s Christmas Eve in Tinseltown and Sin-Dee (newcomer Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) is back on the block. Upon hearing that her pimp boyfriend (James Ransone, STARLET, “Generation Kill”) hasn’t been faithful during the 28 days she was locked up, the working girl and her best friend, Alexandra (newcomer Mya Taylor), embark on a mission to get to the bottom of the scandalous rumor. Their rip-roaring odyssey leads them through various subcultures of Los Angeles, including an Armenian family dealing with their own repercussions of infidelity. Director Sean Baker’s prior films (STARLET, PRINCE OF BROADWAY) brought rich texture and intimate detail to worlds seldom seen on film. TANGERINE follows suit, bursting off the screen with energy and style. A decidedly modern Christmas tale told on the streets of L.A., TANGERINE defies expectation at every turn.’

Take a look at the trailer below. [Read more…]

In Glee Max Adler played Dave Karosky, the homophobic bully who tormented Kurt but then turned out to be hiding the fact he was gay himself.

Now Max is back in gay-themed territory for Saugatuck Cures.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Saugatuck Cures, a family-friendly comedy, about a widowed bed and breakfast owner, Maggie Callaghan (played by Judith Chapman), living in Saugatuck, Michigan dealing with a second round of cancer. When she can’t afford treatment, Maggie’s gay son Drew (played by Glee’s Max Adler) becomes determined to raise money for her treatment, yet doesn’t have the slightest idea of how to do it. After a falling out with his affluent sister, Penelope, a religious conservative, Drew is convinced by his eccentric, best friend Brett (played by Danny Mooney), who is straight, to pose as ex-gay ministers in order to raise the money by “converting” homosexuals into heterosexuals! The two friends set forth on a crazy adventure, getting into a lot of trouble with the law, family conflicts and not knowing if they will have enough time to save mom.’

The film will be released on DVD and VOD in the US on June 30th, 2015. [Read more…]