Starting Wednesday, the Wisconsin Union Directorate will be showcasing its third annual Reel Love Film Festival. This is the only LGBTQ film festival in Madison, and it features 12 films that explore the lives, struggles and history of the LGBTQ community. Going to see these films is not only a great way to support the LGBTQ community but also an opportunity to educate oneself about a wide variety of perspectives, issues and cultures that aren’t always accurately portrayed (or portrayed at all) in the public sphere. The festival kicked off Wednesday, Nov. 20 and goes through Sunday, Nov. 24 at Union South’s Marquee Theater.
“Getting Go, the Go Doc Project” (2013)
Thursday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
A first-person narrative told in the style of a documentary, “Getting Go, the Go Doc Project” follows “Doc,” a student in New York City who poses as a documentary filmmaker in hopes of meeting and befriending “Go,” a popular male dancer in the New York City nightlife scene. “Doc” is pleasantly surprised when “Go” believes him, and the pair soon find themselves romantically entwined. The only problem is that “Doc” has to complete his film. Voyeuristic, touching and erotic, “Getting Go” manages to be deeply romantic, making it a must-see.
“Vic+Flo Saw a Bear” (2013)
Thursday, Nov. 21, 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Victoria and Florence were lovers in prison. After finally getting off on parole, they decide to move into the woods, where they attempt to reconnect with the outside world that prison distanced them from. Vic’s parole officer watches over the couple as they try to assimilate themselves back into their old lives on the outside, only to find that the couple’s differing aspirations are making them drift further and further apart until past events come to light. This Canadian film is entirely spoken in French.
“I Am Divine” (2013)
Friday, Nov. 22, 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Anyone familiar with the films of John Waters will already be familiar with Divine. For those who aren’t, Divine (born Harris Glenn Milstead) was a drag superstar, and this film chronicles his rise to international stardom. Growing up in Baltimore, Divine was an outcast and was perpetually teased for being overweight. However, that all changed when he started working with Waters and became an underground sensation. Defying and redefining traditional gender roles and sexuality, Divine has been an incredibly important icon in popular culture, and this film showcases exactly how and why.
“Female Trouble” (1974)
Friday, Nov. 22, midnight
Divine stars in the John Water’s film “Female Trouble,” playing the role of a woman named Dawn Davenport who wants a pair of heels for Christmas. When her parents don’t get her what she wants, she runs away from home, turning to a life of crime and infamy. In her many adventures, she gets acid thrown in her face, has an illegitimate child and becomes the model of crime for a couple who showcase her filthiness and criminality for all to see. This has all the essence of a classic Waters film, including excessive violence, complete absurdity and an absolutely villainous Divine.
“Love Free or Die” (2012)
Saturday, Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Love Free or Die” explores the personal conflicts of a devout Christian gay man, Gene Robinson, who was ordained as the first openly gay bishop. He struggles to find solace in his paradoxical love for both God and his partner. The film is about his controversial ordination back in 2003, so controversial that he wore a bulletproof vest to the ceremony. The film also follows his life after becoming bishop as he travels to small churches all over New Hampshire to promote equality in local Christian communities. Many have said his becoming bishop signified the beginning of a new era of acceptance in history.
“Valentine Road” (2013)
Sunday, Nov. 24, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“Valentine Road” follows the heartbreaking true story of 15-year-old boy Larry King, who was murdered for asking a boy to be his valentine. The murderer? Brandon McInerney, King’s crush. “Valentine Road” explains how the event is related to the deep-seeded homophobia, racism and sexism embedded in American culture and how the current justice system in America is not equipped to handle these hate crimes. This documentary lays bare the ugly truth about the extreme forms of prejudice any given child grows up with and the consequences for kids who don’t fall in line with normative ideas of gender, race and sexuality.
