The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Queer Film Society, the Center on Halsted, and Chicago Filmmakers ( the presenting organization of Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival ) present Cinema Q, a new film series celebrating outstanding LGBT movies made in Chicago. The free screenings will take place on four Wednesdays, March 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 2011 in the ChicagoCultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theater. All screenings will feature a discussion and Q&A following the film. This series contains films with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.
Media sponsors for the Cinema Q film series are Windy City Times, Time Out Chicago, and the Chicago Reader.
Quearborn & Perversion: An Early History of Lesbian & Gay Chicago
Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at 6:30 pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater
Referring to the Chicago street intersection of Dearborn and Division ( the nexus of gay life in the 1950's ) , "Quearborn & Perversion" was self-deprecating slang adopted by gay men from the mocking mouths of the era's Chicago Police Department. Filmmaker Ron Pajak, interviewing Chicago women and men, documents a rich oral history of lesbian and gay life spanning 1934 to 1974. Over four-dozen oral histories have been collected representing various demographics of the Chicago lesbian and gay landscape. The film traces the public and private personas of men and women forced by society to live underground in a secret world. ( Directed by Ron Pajak; 2007, 105 minutes ) .
Post screening discussion with filmmaker Ron Pajak
Go Fish and outtakes from Fish Out of Water
Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at 6:30 pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater
In Go Fish, Max is a trendy, pretty, young lesbian in Chicago who is having trouble finding love. A friend sets her up with Ely, whom Max likes, but Ely is frumpy, homely, and older; and they don't have much in common. Can Max learn to look past the packaging? ( Directed by Rose Troche; 1994, 83 minutes ) .
Fish out of Water is a 2009 genre-bending feature documentary that uses animation and academic interviews to dissect the seven Bible verses used to condemn homosexuality and justify marriage discrimination. Rarely seen outtake interviews and other sections of the film will be screened. ( Directed by Ky Dickens ) .
Filmmaker Ky Dickens will introduce the film
JoJo Baby and two music videos of The Joans by Peter Neville
Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at 6:30 pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater
Two music videos of local gender bending rock and roll group The Joans by out filmmaker Peter Neville accompanies JoJo Baby, a documentary about Chicago nightclub legend and artist JoJo Baby. Funded and supported by Clive Barker, JoJo Baby strips off the colorful makeup and elaborate costumes and exposes the heart and soul of the eclectic artist. ( Directed by Mark Danforth & Dana Buning; 2010, 85 minutes ) .
Post screening discussion with JoJo Baby and Peter Neville
Were the World Mine
Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at 6:30 pm
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater
If you had a love-potion, who would you make fall madly in love with you? Timothy, prone to escaping his dismal high school reality through dazzling musical daydreams, gets to answer that question in a very real way. After his eccentric teacher casts him as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, he stumbles upon a recipe hidden within the script to create the play's magical, purple love-pansy. Armed with the pansy, Timothy's fading spirit soars as he puckishly imposes a new reality by turning much of his narrow-minded town gay, beginning with the rugby-jock of his dreams. Ensnaring family, friends and enemies in this chaos, Timothy forces them to walk a mile in his musical shoes. The course of true love never did run smooth; it's a bumpy ride. ( Directed by Tom Gustafson; 2008, 95 minutes ) .
Post screening discussion with cast and crew members
Post screening dessert reception in the G.A.R. Rotunda, sponsored by J&L Catering
For more information on Cinema Q and other film programs at the Chicago Cultural Center, please visitwww.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org or call 312.744.6630.
THE QUEER FILM SOCIETY
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 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered ( LGBT ) cinema experience.
CENTER ON HALSTED
As the most comprehensive LGBT community center in the Midwest, the Center on Halsted serves as a catalyst for the LGBT community that links and provides community resources and enriches life experiences in a safe, inviting and nurturing environment. Center on Halsted has become an exciting and highly visible symbol for the LGBT community of Chicago, serving diverse social, recreational, cultural, and social service needs of youth and adults.
CHICAGO FILMMAKERS
Chicago Filmmakers is a 36 year-old media arts organization that fosters the creation, appreciation and understanding of film and video as media for artistic and personal expression, as well as media of important social and community impact. Chicago Filmmakers is the presenting organization of Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival. The mission of Reeling is to recognize the important artistic contributions that lesbian, gay and transgender filmmakers have made to our culture; to educate the general population and sensitize them to lesbian, gay and transgender issues; to investigate the history of LGBT film, including the stereotyping that has been a major part of this history; and to counteract this stereotyping with valid, meaningful and diverse portrayals of those in the LGBT community.
CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER
Originally built in 1897 as the 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 by the City's Department of Cultural Affairs. 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. The 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. Visit www.chicagoculturalcenter.org or call 312.744.6630 for a complete schedule of events.
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is dedicated to promoting an ongoing celebration of the arts and supporting the people who create and sustain them.
