Hot off Theatrical/Festival Release
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Dir: Céline Sciamma
2019 / France / 121 min. / drama
Streaming Service: Criterion
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997.2 .P67 2020
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Multi-award-winning French director Céline Sciamma has fully arrived on the international film scene with this period film about a young woman and the artist painting her marriage portrait. Portrait of a Lady on Fire won multiple awards at Cannes, including the Queer Palm. 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 97 on Metacritic.
Pain and Glory
Dir: Pedro Almodóvar
2019 / Spain / 114 min. / drama
Streaming Service: Kanopy
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997.2 .P35 2020
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Almodovar and Banderas, together again and both demonstrating aptly that aging doesn’t equal a diminishing of talents. Best Actor and Best International Film nominee at the 2020 Academy Awards. Should have both been wins.
Handsome Devil
Dir: John Butler
2019 / UK / 95 min. / drama
Streaming Service: Kanopy
DVD on the shelves at:
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This recent release is included on The 50 Best LGBTQ Movies Ever Made.
Canadian
Montreal Main
Dir: Frank Vitale
1974 / Canada / 88 min. /
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .M677 2009
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Autobiographical tale from Montreal’s seamy 70’s side. Accompanying Queer Film Classic text soon available.
Queer Film Classics – 60’s & 70’s
Trilogy of Life: Arabian Nights
Dir: Pier Paolo Pasolini
1974 / Italy / 173 min. / drama
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .A73 2012
Grand Prix award-winning film from controversial and lauded Italian director, Pier Paolo Pasolini. The year after this film was released, Pasolini was the victim of a grisly murder that remains shrouded in mystery.
Trilogy of Life: Canterbury Tales
Dir: Pier Paolo Pasolini
1972 / Italy / 111 min. / drama
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .C36 2012
This film won the Golden Bear at Venice. Part of Criterion Collection’s Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Trilogy of Life, this adaptation of Chaucer’s famous Tales is “gutsy and deli
Trilogy of Life: The Decameron
Dir: Pier Paolo Pasolini
1971 / Italy / 111 min. / drama
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .D43 2012
Part of Criterion Collection’s Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Trilogy of Life “Filled with scatological humor and a rough-hewn sensuality that leave all modern standards of decency
Chantal Akerman in the Seventies: New York Films
Dir: Chantal Akerman
1972/1976 / USA / 156 min. / experimental short films
Streaming Service: streaming not available
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .N49 2009
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Akerman’s early shorts: La chambre, Hotel Monterey, News from home
Chantal Akerman in the Seventies: Je tu il elle
Dir: Chantal Akerman
1975 / France / 86 min. / experimental drama
Streaming Service: streaming not available
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .J358422 2009
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Akerman’s first feature-length film. A jittery young woman gradually gains experience and maturity in her travels around France
Chantal Akerman in the Seventies: Les rendez-vous d’Anna
Dir: Chantal Akerman
1978 / France, Belgium, Germany / 126 min. / experimental drama
Streaming Service: streaming not available
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .R46292 2009
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An independent woman film-maker journeys through Germany, Belgium, and France, meeting a stream of friends, lovers, relatives, and strangers
Killing of Sister George
Dir: Robert Aldrich
1968 / USA / 140 min. / drama
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .K555 2018
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From The Advocate: “In 1968, the film was mocked by straight critics and vilified in the lesbian press, but those harsh judgments reflected the attitudes of the time. From the perspective of 2015, The Killing of Sister George is both a fascinating chronicle of lesbian London in the swinging ’60s and a bracing reminder of how hard it has always been to live an openly gay life.”
The Ritz
Dir: Richard Lester
1976 / USA / 74 min. / comedy
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .M677 2009
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High camp, 70’s style, in this bathhouse comedy from UK director Richard Lester (Hard Day’s Night), starring Rita Moreno.
Queer Film Classics – 80’s-00’s
Personal Best
Dir: Robert Towne
1982 / USA / 128 min. / drama
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .P477 2013
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This iconic sports film was part of the first wave of independent, LGBTQ themed films to emerge in the 80’s. Directing debut for acclaimed (straight, male. White) filmmaker, Robert Towne (Chinatown).
Virgin Machine
Dir: Monika Treut
1988 / Germany / 86 min. / drama
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997 .V574 2003
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“Introduced to San Francisco’s lesbian scene, discovers her own sexuality, and remains convinced, despite a minor setback, that romantic love can be found.”
Party Monster
Dir: Randy Barbato
2003 / USA / 99 min. / drama
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997.2 .P37 2003
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Docudrama covering the sensational (and sensationalized) Club Kid murders in NYC. The first adult role for former child star, Macaulay Cuklin, after a 9-year hiatus from acting.
All over the Guy
Dir: Julie Davis
2001 / USA / 95 min. / comedy
DVD on the shelves at: PN1997.2 .A3244 2007
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Best friends set up two men for a relationship in this gay rom-com. Witty and “nearly void of gay stereotypes”.
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