Many of the most important queer films in cinema history share a birthplace: the Sundance Film Festival. Organized by the Sundance Institute, the legendary annual fest in Park City, Utah, has boasted international and U.S. premiere titles as varied as the groundbreaking New York ballroom documentary Paris Is Burning in 1991, Donna Deitch’s 1985 lesbian road drama Desert Hearts or even recent masterworks like Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 adaptation of Call Me by Your Name.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Kim Yutani, director of programming at Sundance, about some of the most important Lgbtqia+ films to debut there.
“Seeing the films that Sundance has programmed over the years, especially around the early 1990s with the New Queer Wave, that was what attracted me to Sundance,” says Yutani, who’s been working with the festival for 17 years, and has also worked in various positions within the film industry, like as Gregg Araki...
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Kim Yutani, director of programming at Sundance, about some of the most important Lgbtqia+ films to debut there.
“Seeing the films that Sundance has programmed over the years, especially around the early 1990s with the New Queer Wave, that was what attracted me to Sundance,” says Yutani, who’s been working with the festival for 17 years, and has also worked in various positions within the film industry, like as Gregg Araki...
- 6/26/2023
- by Hilton Dresden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Image Source: HBO Max
Legendary host and Mc Dashaun Wesley first discovered his love of dance at just 4 years old, competing in yearly dance-offs to celebrate his Brooklyn, NY neighborhood. Then came his introduction to the world of voguing - a highly stylized form of modern dance that often imitates poses struck by models on a catwalk, and evolved from the ballroom scene.
As a kid, Wesley struggled to find mentorship and a place to fit in as a young, Black, gay dancer. At 14 years old, things cleared up for him while walking down Christopher Street in New York City's West Village. "I saw this one guy playing vogue music from a huge boom box," he told Popsugar. "He had a crowd following him, so I started following them. A young intrigued Dashaun wanted to learn about that world. From that day on, I kept coming back so I could...
Legendary host and Mc Dashaun Wesley first discovered his love of dance at just 4 years old, competing in yearly dance-offs to celebrate his Brooklyn, NY neighborhood. Then came his introduction to the world of voguing - a highly stylized form of modern dance that often imitates poses struck by models on a catwalk, and evolved from the ballroom scene.
As a kid, Wesley struggled to find mentorship and a place to fit in as a young, Black, gay dancer. At 14 years old, things cleared up for him while walking down Christopher Street in New York City's West Village. "I saw this one guy playing vogue music from a huge boom box," he told Popsugar. "He had a crowd following him, so I started following them. A young intrigued Dashaun wanted to learn about that world. From that day on, I kept coming back so I could...
- 6/10/2021
- by Grayson Gilcrease
- Popsugar.com
Long before RuPaul brought the drag race into our living rooms and even before Madonna asked us to strike a pose in the “Vogue” music video, Crystal Labeija was a participant in the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Pageant. When she was declared the third runner up, Crystal walked off the stage in a fit of rage because these pageants discriminated against drag queens of color. Even subaltern queer cultural phenomena like drag balls were run on racist rules which kept out queer persons of color. When they did get around to participate, they were asked to lighten their faces. Fed up and angry, Crystal Labeija founded the legendary House of Labeija out of a need to create a safe space for queer people of color. This went on to shape the definitive ballroom and voguing culture for queer people of color, which forms the subject of Jennie Livingston’s 1990 documentary Paris is Burning.
- 6/14/2019
- MUBI
The 2019 Tony Awards are quickly approaching. Before the CBS ceremony hosted by James Corden on June 9, make sure to catch up with all of our interviews with this year’s nominees. Follow the links below to watch our exclusive interviews with these Tony nominated creators.
SEETony Awards predictions slugfest: 3 Experts track hottest races [Video & Audio Podcast]
Chad Beguelin & Matthew Sklar (“The Prom” songwriting team): Lyricist Chad Beguelin and composer Matthew Sklar picked up their second Tony nomination for Best Score for “The Prom.” The duo previously competed in the same category in 2006 for “The Wedding Singer” and also contributed the score for the Broadway adaptation of “Elf.” Beguelin has an additional Tony nomination this year as the book writer for “The Prom” (shared with Bob Martin) and was previously nominated in the Book of a Musical category for “Aladdin” and “The Wedding Singer.” (Click here to watch the full interview)
Warren Carlyle...
SEETony Awards predictions slugfest: 3 Experts track hottest races [Video & Audio Podcast]
Chad Beguelin & Matthew Sklar (“The Prom” songwriting team): Lyricist Chad Beguelin and composer Matthew Sklar picked up their second Tony nomination for Best Score for “The Prom.” The duo previously competed in the same category in 2006 for “The Wedding Singer” and also contributed the score for the Broadway adaptation of “Elf.” Beguelin has an additional Tony nomination this year as the book writer for “The Prom” (shared with Bob Martin) and was previously nominated in the Book of a Musical category for “Aladdin” and “The Wedding Singer.” (Click here to watch the full interview)
Warren Carlyle...
- 6/5/2019
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
“My intention was to always embed the choreography into the staging, so that it didn’t feel like the story stopped for a dance number,” reveals “Hadestown” choreographer David Neumann. Coming from the downtown dance world, Neumann made his Broadway debut with “Hadestown.” His work on the Anais Mitchell musical has already won him a Chita Rivera Award and he has also been nominated for his first Tony Award. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
Neumann has been a part of the “Hadestown” creative team since “back when it was sort of a Diy community theater thing” in Mitchell’s home state of Vermont. The songwriter invited him to continue with the project for the rest of its lifespan, from an Off-Broadway production at New York Theater Workshop, to Canada, London, and its current home on Broadway.
Watch Patrick Page interview: ‘Hadestown’
Neumann says the main question he and director...
Neumann has been a part of the “Hadestown” creative team since “back when it was sort of a Diy community theater thing” in Mitchell’s home state of Vermont. The songwriter invited him to continue with the project for the rest of its lifespan, from an Off-Broadway production at New York Theater Workshop, to Canada, London, and its current home on Broadway.
Watch Patrick Page interview: ‘Hadestown’
Neumann says the main question he and director...
- 5/28/2019
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Premiering nearly three decades ago, Paris Is Burning was one of the most influential documentaries of the 1990s, spotlighting ballroom culture in all its glory and now it’s been restored for a theatrical release this summer. Ahead of the release, a new trailer has been released, featuring no shortage of unforgettable moments with certain ball stars you might be familiar with such as Angie Xtravaganza, Pepper Labeija, Dorian Corey and Octavia St-Laurent. Directed by Jennie Livingston, the documentary was filmed during the 1980s, and it showcased the joy and struggles these performers were going through. Even if the movie came out many decades ago, it still holds up by teaching viewers the true meaning of gender, race, and class in the tumultuous time of the AIDS crisis.
An impactful celebration about being yourself, Paris Is Burning is an insightful documentary about developing and honoring your own identity, clearly holding up decades later.
An impactful celebration about being yourself, Paris Is Burning is an insightful documentary about developing and honoring your own identity, clearly holding up decades later.
- 5/20/2019
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Lena Waithe was honored with the Trailblazer Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards Monday night. The award recognizes content creators who introduce new and unique voices within the entertainment industry.
Upon accepting the award from Common, who said Waithe was "a visionary," she said although she was so "elated" when she found out she was receiving the award, she really wanted to dedicate it to other visionaries. She gave a special shout-out to the subjects of the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which follows drag queens — including Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey and more —...
Upon accepting the award from Common, who said Waithe was "a visionary," she said although she was so "elated" when she found out she was receiving the award, she really wanted to dedicate it to other visionaries. She gave a special shout-out to the subjects of the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which follows drag queens — including Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey and more —...
- 6/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lena Waithe was honored with the Trailblazer Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards Monday night. The award recognizes content creators who introduce new and unique voices within the entertainment industry.
Upon accepting the award from Common, who said Waithe was "a visionary," she said although she was so "elated" when she found out she was receiving the award, she really wanted to dedicate it to other visionaries. She gave a special shout-out to the subjects of the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which follows drag queens — including Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey and more —...
Upon accepting the award from Common, who said Waithe was "a visionary," she said although she was so "elated" when she found out she was receiving the award, she really wanted to dedicate it to other visionaries. She gave a special shout-out to the subjects of the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which follows drag queens — including Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey and more —...
- 6/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
It’s a film starring Sundance Film Fest creator Robert Redford and another film starring Sundance mainstay James Franco that are the latest and last items to officially pad the 2015 edition. Ken Kwapis’ A Walk in the Woods (surely to be discussed as a companion piece to Gus Van Sant’s heavy Cannes contender The Sea of Trees) and Rupert Goold’s directorial debut, True Story – a story that is stranger than fiction close out the Premieres selections. Also announced we find items for New Frontier, Sundance Kids and the From the Collection items. And while the line-up is complete, the actual final piece to the puzzle might actually be a secret screening or two. This year I wager on Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups playing as a non official showing. Here’s the press release.
A Walk in the Woods / U.S.A. (Director: Ken Kwapis, Screenwriters: Rick Kerb,...
A Walk in the Woods / U.S.A. (Director: Ken Kwapis, Screenwriters: Rick Kerb,...
- 12/15/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Sundance: Robert Redford stars opposite Nick Nolte in Salt Lake City gala
Festival top brass announced on December 15 a volley of 10 additional films and New Frontier installations.
The late arrivals mean the festival will screen 123 features overall from 29 countries culled from 12,166 submissions. A total of 106 of the features will be world premieres and 45 of the total line-up hail from first-time film-makers,
Sundance is set to run from January 22-February 1.
All synopses provided by the festival.
Premieres
A Walk In The Woods (USA)
Ken Kwapis
An aging travel writer sets out to hike the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail with a long-estranged high school buddy. Along the way, the duo face off with each other, nature, and an eccentric assortment of characters. Together, they learn that some roads are better left untraveled.
Cast: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal.
World premiere
Salt Lake City Gala Film
True Story (USA)
Rupert Goold
When disgraced New York...
Festival top brass announced on December 15 a volley of 10 additional films and New Frontier installations.
The late arrivals mean the festival will screen 123 features overall from 29 countries culled from 12,166 submissions. A total of 106 of the features will be world premieres and 45 of the total line-up hail from first-time film-makers,
Sundance is set to run from January 22-February 1.
All synopses provided by the festival.
Premieres
A Walk In The Woods (USA)
Ken Kwapis
An aging travel writer sets out to hike the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail with a long-estranged high school buddy. Along the way, the duo face off with each other, nature, and an eccentric assortment of characters. Together, they learn that some roads are better left untraveled.
Cast: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal.
World premiere
Salt Lake City Gala Film
True Story (USA)
Rupert Goold
When disgraced New York...
- 12/15/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Throughout the week, Indiewire will feature remembrances of Roger Ebert from across the industry. Today, we're focusing on the filmmakers. Jennie Livingston, director, "Paris is Burning" Siskel and Ebert gave my film "Paris is Burning" two thumbs up, which is was so excellent and surreal (my first film! a nonfiction film! a queer film!) I could barely process it. But it was, hands-down, the main thing people PR people wanted to use to legitimize the film. (In this day and age, I'd post it on social media and brag, but back in 1991, you demurely let the PR people handle which facts were helpful.) I was on a press tour with Willi Ninja, a voguer and one of the main people in "Paris is Burning" and we went on Ebert's show in Chicago. I remember that Ebert was kind of grumpy towards me (I'm not sure why - he clearly liked...
- 4/8/2013
- by Indiewire Staff
- Indiewire
Bates Motel is an interesting idea for a series (and frankly, so is The Carrie Diaries), but like Carrie Bradshaw I have to wonder: Have we nailed the art of the movie prequel TV series yet? I think it remains to be seen.
Today, in honor of A&E's new show about Norman Bates' bizarre past, I say we examine eight movies that could inspire fabulous prequel series. I snuck in two ideas for other Hitchcock prequels in case that's an easy sell right now. Grab your most hideous bridesmaid gown and suggest your options for prequel-worthy movies below.
1. Fatal Attraction
Face it: Alex Forrest should be one of the most interesting characters of the '80s, but because Fatal Attraction corners her into being a two-dimensional psychotic loon, she's never quite as humanized as she should be (despite Glenn Close's exceptional performance). A prequel series would rectify this...
Today, in honor of A&E's new show about Norman Bates' bizarre past, I say we examine eight movies that could inspire fabulous prequel series. I snuck in two ideas for other Hitchcock prequels in case that's an easy sell right now. Grab your most hideous bridesmaid gown and suggest your options for prequel-worthy movies below.
1. Fatal Attraction
Face it: Alex Forrest should be one of the most interesting characters of the '80s, but because Fatal Attraction corners her into being a two-dimensional psychotic loon, she's never quite as humanized as she should be (despite Glenn Close's exceptional performance). A prequel series would rectify this...
- 3/25/2013
- by virtel
- The Backlot
When I first saw "vogueing" -- that is, the manufactured version of it presented in Madonna's "Vogue" video -- all I wanted to do was define it. It's a dance, but it's about rigidity. It's gay, but it's a pantomime of commonplace fashion spreads. It's self-presentational, attitudinal, geometric, contorted, winkingly narcissistic, actually narcissistic, and stony-smirky-silly-serious fierce. It's a mirage, but it's undeniable. It's just the best. And when you see the real thing as presented in the unforgettable 1991 documentary Paris is Burning, you realize that the act of "striking a pose" is just a warped-ass, queeny way of being yourself in the face of your real-life hardship, minority status, and what the world's done to morph you and your flagrant gayness into something much less Op-u-lent.
I'm obviously preaching to the realness choir here, but there's a thundering righteousness to the subjects of Paris is Burning that is just timeless.
I'm obviously preaching to the realness choir here, but there's a thundering righteousness to the subjects of Paris is Burning that is just timeless.
- 6/13/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
The Berlinale's announced today that 20 films are now lined up for its Panorama program. All in all, around 50 titles will make up the main program, Panorama Special and Panorama Dokumente.
10+10 by Hou Hsiao-hsien, Wang Toon, Wu Nien-Jen, Sylvia Chang, Chen Guo-Fu, Wei Te-Sheng, Chung Meng-Hung, Chang Tso-Chi, Arvin Chen, Yang Ya-Che and others, Taiwan — see a full report from the Taipei Film Commission: "Funded by the Golden Horse Film Festival and the Republic of China Centenary Foundation, 10+10 [is] a movie comprised of 20 short films by 10 renowned and 10 emerging Taiwanese filmmakers."
Death For Sale by Faouzi Bensaïdi, France
With Fehd Benchemsi, Fouad Labiad, Mouhcine Malzi, Imane Elmechrafi, Faouzi Bensaïdi
Die Wand (The Wall) by Julian Roman Pölsler, Austria/Germany
With Martina Gedeck — Synopsis from The Match Factory: "(1.) The wall is a highly unusual exploration of solitude and survival. (2.) It is the story of a woman who is separated from the...
10+10 by Hou Hsiao-hsien, Wang Toon, Wu Nien-Jen, Sylvia Chang, Chen Guo-Fu, Wei Te-Sheng, Chung Meng-Hung, Chang Tso-Chi, Arvin Chen, Yang Ya-Che and others, Taiwan — see a full report from the Taipei Film Commission: "Funded by the Golden Horse Film Festival and the Republic of China Centenary Foundation, 10+10 [is] a movie comprised of 20 short films by 10 renowned and 10 emerging Taiwanese filmmakers."
Death For Sale by Faouzi Bensaïdi, France
With Fehd Benchemsi, Fouad Labiad, Mouhcine Malzi, Imane Elmechrafi, Faouzi Bensaïdi
Die Wand (The Wall) by Julian Roman Pölsler, Austria/Germany
With Martina Gedeck — Synopsis from The Match Factory: "(1.) The wall is a highly unusual exploration of solitude and survival. (2.) It is the story of a woman who is separated from the...
- 1/4/2012
- MUBI
Last Sunday night, America was introduced to the amazing dancing of Vogue Evolution, the first all gay dance crew to appear on the hit MTV dance competition show America’s Best Dance Crew. In their first performance for a national audience, the five member group dazzled both the judges and the audience, easily avoiding elimination the first week.
Consisting of four gay men and one transgendered woman – Pony (aka Devon), Leyomi, Jorel, Dashaun, and Malechi – who perform in the style of ‘vogue ballroom’, the New York City dance crew has already made their mark in the world of underground ballroom competitions, gay activism and HIV/AIDS work and prevention.
Not only is the group made up of dancers who are gay, but this crew is out and proud, putting their gayness front and center in a way you won’t ever see on most reality shows, much less on fellow...
Consisting of four gay men and one transgendered woman – Pony (aka Devon), Leyomi, Jorel, Dashaun, and Malechi – who perform in the style of ‘vogue ballroom’, the New York City dance crew has already made their mark in the world of underground ballroom competitions, gay activism and HIV/AIDS work and prevention.
Not only is the group made up of dancers who are gay, but this crew is out and proud, putting their gayness front and center in a way you won’t ever see on most reality shows, much less on fellow...
- 8/10/2009
- by michael
- The Backlot
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