Frameline, longest running LGBTQ film festival is back

The world’s longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival is back — live and streaming, starting June 16.

Frameline will celebrate its 46th terrific year in both San Francisco and the East Bay. Subtitled the Coast is Queer,  Framline46 will have over 125 films from 35 countries with 19 world premieres and 10 US premieres. The content is a mix of narrative features, intriguing documentaries, short films and episodic web shows. Truly, something for everyone.

I’ve spent the past few weeks, with every waking moment, watching these movies to share some highlights with you. If your favorite movie isn’t mentioned, it could be because I haven’t seen it yet as I did take breaks to sleep. But here are some definite films worth seeking out. Movies are always more fun on the big screen and with an audience to share reactions, but if you can’t make it to the Bay Area, you can stream June 24-30, 2022. All the movies, unless noted will be streamable.

NARRATIVE FEATURES

Sissy will likely remain my favorite film of the festival. Aisha Dee (from TV’s The Bold Type) plays Cecilia (or nicknamed Sissy),  a successful influencer who we learn through flashbacks she was bullied as a child “Sissy the sissy.” Havoc is set loose when she decides to attend a bachelorette weekend of a childhood friend, who happens to be friends with her tormentors. Funny, fresh, relevant and oh, did I say “havoc” in this case involves blood and some level of gore. Blood, guts and revenge…what fun!

All Kinds of Love seems like a typical break-up movie in which the ex-partners find love and sex in other (younger) people. But it’s more than that. Matthew Montgomery stars along with real-life husband Steve Callahan as the separating couple and Montgomery always surprises and impresses me so once again happy to see him on screen.  The dialog is real and fresh and the situations are believable. And, don’t miss the fun subplot involving Montgomery’s parents who are part of a thruple.

Follow the Protocol is a sexy, sexual movie for our times: having partners during a pandemic. Yet, writer/director/star Fabio Leal is left to put himself back out there after his boyfriend breaks up with him over zoom. He tries so many ways to overcome the loneliness, but he still hungers for the human touch. A movie we all can relate to these days.

Maybe Someday has uber-creative Michelle Ehren has a separated woman, trying to find her way in a new world and trying desperately not to keep a hold of her past. So much empathy goes out to this character and director/writer Ehren delivers a subtle, layered performance. Newcomer Charlie Steers is a scene-stealer as a truly bad comedian who is also very inappropriate.

Moneyboys is a wonderful directorial debut of CB Yi, focusing on some friends a Chinese village who find the only way to get financially ahead is to become call boys. They more so learn that many times they’re selling their soul in this gritty, well-photographed film.

My Fake Boyfriend is unbelievable. And that term is meant as far-fetched and full of plot holes. But who cares, as it’s a rom-com filled with likable characters and will have you leave with a big smile. That appealing cast has us overcome the trite story of a friend who invents a boyfriend for his BFF so that his ex will get jealous and/or move on.

Phantom Project is a modern film with old fashioned style and sensibilities. The story develops methodically with its ghost story – more like a 1960s spirit movie like “The Haunting” where it isn’t slammed in our face with cheap tricks and gore. But when Pablo’s roommate moves out, not only does he find a new roommate but there also seems to be a presence that he didn’t invite.

The Sixth Reel is as colorful and over-the-top as its characters. Charles Busch plays a movie enthusiast who gets the lead on some missing (and very sought after) footage of an old movie that leads to a fun, rompy caper film and is very reminiscent of old screwball comedies. The fact that Busch is known for doing a lot of drag and Margaret Cho makes an appearance only adds to the camp factor.
Unidentified Objects is one of the best road movies ever made! Matthew August Jeffers plays a cynical, unpleasant gay man who goes on trip with a free-spirited neighbor. Quite the odd couple, this movie has smart, funny dialog that includes a lot of interesting pitstops and alien encounters. Jeffers, while a super annoying character, finds heart in this man and makes us often understand him and sympathize. It was a refreshing spin on a common genre.

DOCUMENTARIES

AllMan: The International Male Story is fascinating beyond words. For those not in the know, the International Male magazine was technically a fashion magazine for men, but the sexy models and revealing clothing – especially underwear – was a must-have for every gay man, even though it wasn’t really aimed at the gay market. But gays did find it, subscribe to it, and buy from it as did famous people including Barbra Streisand. 

Blitzed! is the London equivalent to New York’s Studio 54 where the famous and infamous go to be seen. While the scene was short-lived in the UK, it left a lasting impression on the London Club scene.

Boulevard! A Hollywood Story is a gem. No surprise as its director Jeffrey Schwarz makes documentaries that are always historical and full of fun information and tidbits. I am a big fan of his work. Further, this movie introduces us to the behind-the-scenes making of the ORIGINAL (not the Andrew Lloyd Webber version) of the musical of Sunset Blvd. And, wow, this is some story!

Impresario finally tells the tale of Marc Huestis, whose love of movies and entertainment is always evident in the many productions he’s put on. Many people have paid tribute to movies and stars – but Huestis started that trend. We learn in the story, as he was HIV+ back in the day when it seemed like a death sentence, Huestis didn’t want to pay tribute to friends after they’re gone. Why not celebrate their life while they’re still with us. Those tributes to friends led him to turning this into a business and, thus, he would go on to do tributes for people like Kim Novak and Patty Duke and movies such as “Valley of the Dolls,” “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Poltergeist.”

Jeannette is an amazing woman and movie. She’s a gay single mother who survived the Orlando mass shootings. She lived to tell and lived to be stronger. She has become an impressive role model for her family and community, all the while becoming physically stronger through bodybuilding.

Jimmy in Saigon is a nail bitter and I haven’t felt so much angst in uncovering a true mystery since Gone, a Frameline hit a few years ago. Filmmaker Peter McDowell goes on a hunt to find what happened to his brother in Saigon, uncovering secrets a long the way.

Keep the Camera Rolling: The Pedro Zamora Way is a great movie and should introduce a historic character to younger generations. Pedro was on the first season of MTV’s Real World and he used that as a platform to open the eyes of people about living with AIDS. That topic was taboo when this show aired and MTV still should be applauded for allowing Pedro’s story to unfold.

SPECIAL EVENTS – live (no streaming)

Fire Island may be available on Hulu right now, but what can be more fun than to see this sexy romp with an audience full of LGBTQ+ movie fans, laughing together and coming together. Lots of famous faces but you had me at Margaret Cho.

‘A League of Their Own is NOT the movie where there was no crying in baseball, but it’s the same story and it opens Frameline with two episodes of the soon-to-be Amazon original.  Catch it here first!

Lightyear is the animated movie you see trailers for right now. This coincides with its opening and will be a free community family screening of the film, complete with a short about gender identity.

So much to see…so little time. Find out more and COVID protocol at www.frameline.org.