The Queer Film Society ( QFS ) in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and in association with Chicago Filmmakers ( the presenting organization of Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival ), and The Legacy Project present Cinema Q VI, the sixth annual film series celebrating outstanding LGBT movies. The free screenings will take place on three Fridays, May 5, 12 and 19, 2017 in the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. All screenings will feature a discussion and Q&A following the film.
The lineup at this year's Cinema Q VI series focuses on queer activists — fictional and non — in a trio of entertaining and thought-provoking, award winning films from high profile figures in both the LGBT and film worlds — the Wachowskis, Gus Van Sant, Dustin Lance Black, and David France among them. Viewer discretion is advised. Media sponsors for the Cinema Q film series are ChicagoPride.com, Time Out Chicago, and Windy City Times.
Friday, May 5
V for Vendetta ( 2005 ): The Wachowski's ( Sense8, The Matrix trilogy, Cloud Atlas ) wrote the screenplay and co-produced this acclaimed dystopian political thriller filled with queer themes and characters from director James McTeigue. Hugo Weaving plays V, a masked revolutionary fighting against a neo-fascist regime. V enlists a protege, an oppressed, working-class young woman ( Natalie Portman as Evey ) to pull off a series of elaborate terrorist acts. Out actor Stephen Fry, Stephen Rea and John Hurt co-star.
Friday, May 12
How to Survive a Plague ( 2012 ): The history of ACT-UP, the AIDS activist group, culled from over 700 hours of archival footage and new interviews by filmmaker David France, a journalist who chronicled the epidemic and made his feature debut with the film. The critically acclaimed movie, dedicated to France's late partner Doug Gould, received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary.
Friday, May 19
Milk ( 2008 ): Out director Gus Van Sant's masterful biopic of slain gay civil rights activist and politician Harvey Milk ( Sean Penn in an Oscar winning portrayal ). The film contrasts Milk's political struggles and eventual successes in San Francisco in the 1970s with his oftentimes fraught personal life and tragic murder at the hand of his conservative, political opponent, Dan White ( Josh Brolin ). James Franco, Emilie Hirsch, Diego Luna, and Denis O'Hare co-star. Latter day gay activist Dustin Lance Black ( When We Rise, 8 ) won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. This screening is part of the "Legacy LIVE" series co-presented by the Legacy Project and Center on Halsted.
This series contains mature subject matter. Viewer discretion advised. For more information on Cinema Q and other film programs at the Chicago Cultural Center, please visit www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org .
THE QUEER FILM SOCIETY
Formed in 2009, The Queer Film Society ( QFS ) is a consortium of LGBT film critics, historians, artists, and scholars dedicated to the exploration and celebration of queer images in world cinema. Recognizing the diversity of identities and perspectives that comprise its membership, QFS is committed to showcasing vital films from equally vital, and sometimes widely varied, vantage points. From mainstream to underground and from artist to audience, a distinct and communal sensibility informs the queer cinema experience. www.queerfilmsociety.org .
CHICAGO FILMMAKERS
Chicago Filmmakers is a 43 year-old media arts organization that fosters the creation, appreciation and understanding of film and video as media for artistic and personal expression. Chicago Filmmakers is the presenting organization of Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, the second oldest film festival of its kind in the world. www.reelingfilmfestival.org .
THE LEGACY PROJECT
The award-winning Legacy Project is a Chicago-based non-profit that uses the contributions LGBT people have made to world history and culture to counter the devastating effects of anti-gay bullying and the underlying ignorance behind it. The organization manages "The Legacy Walk" outdoor LGBT history museum along one-half mile of North Halsted Street; "The Legacy Wall" traveling installation, which is currently touring the United States; and the Legacy Project Education Initiative ( LPEI ), which produces age-appropriate lesson plans, study guides, and multimedia for use in schools. Together, these elements have been internationally recognized for using historically significant LGBT role models to empower both students and those who teach and advise them. www.legacyprojectchicago.org .
CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER
Originally built in 1897 as Chicago's first central public library, the Chicago Cultural Center was established in 1991 as the nation's first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue. Drawn by its beauty and abundant free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Chicago Cultural Center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. This stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events. www.chicagoculturalcenter.org .
CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE ) is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago's non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City's future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City's cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors. www.cityofchicago.org/dcase .
CENTER ON HALSTED
Center on Halsted ( COH ) is the Midwest's most comprehensive community center dedicated to advancing community and securing the health and well-being of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer ( LGBTQ ) people of Chicagoland. More than 1,000 community members visit the Center every day, located in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview Neighborhood. www.centeronhalsted.org/ .
