By the time you read this the 49th Chicago International Film Festival ( CIFF ) will have already screened several of the most hotly anticipated LGBT films of the fall—including Kill Your Darlings and Blue Is the Warmest Color. But there are plenty of movies for queer film audiences to look forward to before the fest wraps up Oct. 24. Highlights include the following ( film descriptions come from CIFF press materials ):
Elaine Stritch: Just Shoot Me USA ( Director: Chiemi Karasawa )—A ferocious, funny, and poignant portrait of the one-of-a-kind Broadway legend still belting out Sondheim numbers at age 87, this documentary tribute showcases the brash, uncompromising Tony and Emmy winner both onstage and off. Stephen Sondheim, Tina Fey and Nathan Lane are among the interviewees. Screens Friday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 20
Floating Skyscrapers Poland ( Director: Tomasz Wasilewski )—When the self-assured Kuba, a promising swimmer who lives with his girlfriend, meets shy young student Michal, he finds himself falling in love. But his family's overwhelmingly negative response to his new relationship compounds his own deep-seated internal conflicts and insecurities. Screens Sunday, Oct. 20 and Wed., Oct. 23
Illiterate Chile ( Director: Moisés SepÃșlveda )—For 50 years, Ximena has managed to get by without being able to read. When Jackeline, a young unemployed teacher, comes into her life, Ximena's isolation is disturbed. Jackeline's efforts to teach Ximena how to read prove almost Herculean as they clash, but it soon becomes evident that the two women need each other in ways they could never predict. Screens Tuesday, Oct. 22
It's All So Quiet Netherlands/Germany ( Director: Nanouk Leopold )—Stifled by his ailing father's oppressive presence, Helmer moves him to the second floor of their isolated rural farmhouse. Free from his father's judgmental gaze, Helmer finds himself developing increasingly warm relationships with the milk truck driver and an attractive young farmhand who moves into the house. Screens Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20
The Nun France/Germany/Belgium ( Director: Guillaume Nicloux )—Forced to join a convent against her will at 16, Suzanne describes, in a series of letters written in secret, her yearnings for freedom and her persecution and mistreatment at the hands of her fellow nuns—including Isabelle Huppert in an electrifying performance as her Mother Superior. Screens Sunday, Oct. 20 and Wed., Oct. 23
Philomena UK ( Director: Stephen Frears )—Stephen Frears' latest focuses on the efforts of Philomena Lee ( Judi Dench ), mother to a boy conceived out of wedlock and given away for adoption in the United States. After starting a family years later in England and, for the most part, moving on with her life, Lee meets Martin Sixsmith ( Steve Coogan ), a BBC reporter with whom she decides to discover her long-lost son. Screens Thursday, Oct. 17
Snails in the Rain Israel ( Director: Yariv Mozer )—In the summer of 1989, beautiful yet melancholy linguistics student Boaz finds his quiet life with his devoted girlfriend Noa derailed when he begins receiving amorous letters from a closeted secret male admirer. Both flattered and troubled, Boaz is thrown into a profound internal conflict, questioning his own sexuality and alienating Noa in this tender, affecting drama. Screens Sunday, Oct. 20, and Tuesday, Oct. 22
Stranger by the Lake UK ( Director: Director: Alain Guiraudie )—In a secluded cruising spot tucked away on a picturesque lake, Franck notices the muscular Michel and quickly falls for him. Franck's desire continues to grow even as he witnesses Michel commit a terrible, violent act. Screens Sunday, Oct. 20
Voyage Hong Kong ( Director: Scud )—Young psychiatrist Ryo attempts to find catharsis by ruminating on the stories of his patients who have taken their own lives. While on a lone voyage off the coast of Southeast Asia, he writes about each patient, the film staging each of these vignettes in a beautiful surrealist landscape. Screens Sunday, Oct. 20 and Tuesday, Oct. 22
Scud is the recipient of the fest's Q Hugo Award, which will be bestowed on Monday, Oct. 21, at an evening celebrating LGBTQ film, music and dance at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., beginning with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. ( The awards follow at 7 p.m. ) The evening will also include special performances and the presentation of the jury awards ( of which I'm a member ) for the fest's LGBT-themed films. An after-party will be held at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St., beginning at 9 p.m.
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Taiwan ( Director: Arvin Chen )—Introvert Weichung's measured life as a family man is shaken when a chance encounter revives feelings from his long-suppressed gay past, forcing him to choose between love and security. Meanwhile, his sister, engaged to the nicest of men, begins to question her own desire for conventional family life. Screens Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20
For tickets, festival passes and theater information, visit www.chicagofilmfestival.com .
Briefly noted: Directors Martha Shane and Lana Wilson fearlessly tackle the controversial subject of third-trimester abortions in After Tiller, a compelling documentary that has made the festival rounds since its debut at Sundance earlier this year, including several LGBT fests ( because one of the only four remaining doctors performing the procedure includes the openly lesbian Dr. Shelley Sella ).
The movie tries hard to be non-judgmental and never wavers from its sympathetic approach, which, given its often-sensationalized subject matter, is quite an achievement. The title refers to the vow made by the four physicians profiled to continue the work of their murdered colleague Dr. George Tiller. It opens Friday, Oct. 18, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. www.musicboxtheatre.com
Film notes:
—Music Box of Horrors 2013: Get out your pajamas because it's time for the Music Box Theatre's, 3733 N. Southport Ave., annual 24-hour horror-movie marathon. It gets underway Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2:45 p.m. Highlights include 1933's creepy classic Island of Lost Souls; the original Chucky the evil-doll movie Child's Play; Susan Strasberg menaced by an evil Indian spirit aka The Manitou; Patricia Arquette in A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, arguably the best of the Elm Street's many sequels; and the horror-camp Slumber Party Massacre ( written by Rita Mae Brown ). Check the Music Box website for news of additional films, guests expected to attend and to purchase advance tickets. www.musicboxtheatre.com
—A little Sondheim music: It's safe to say that Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim's score for 1980's Merrily We Roll Along hasn't had any trouble surviving the infamous fiasco from which it came. Sondheim's typical gorgeous melodies and acrid lyrics are leavened by moments of lush romanticism and energetic, uptempo numbers in his sensational score. Yet, dozens of revivals of the show have yet to be nearly as memorable as Sondheim's score though reports out of London's current West End production seem to suggest that director Maria Friedman has finally managed to solve the show's creative problems. Film audiences can see for themselves when Fathom Events presents a one-night-only presentation of the London production Wed., Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at the ShowPlace Icon, 150 W. Roosevelt Rd. www.fathomevents.com
