SAT | AUG 22 | 650pm | PG | ASL at Cineplex Odeon International Village (3rd floor, 88 West Pender Street)
The infamous writer who sparked “the postmodern trial of the century,” JT LeRoy, a 15-year-old trans* sex worker, was hailed for writing heartwrenching novels. Chuck Palahniuk described JT as having the “authentic voice of someone who suffers.” Known for being deeply shy, JT LeRoy was encircled by a Warholian world of celebrities including Winona Ryder, Rosario Dawson, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Bernhard, Gus Van Sant, Shirley Manson, Lou Reed and numerous writers and agents. But at the peak of JT’s 10-year rise came a rapid fall from grace. Says writer Dennis Cooper in the film, “From the beginning, I thought JT LeRoy was a liar… but I thought I knew when the lies were happening.” Was this the world’s largest literary scandal? Or a profound uncovering of our literary biases? Director Marjorie Sturm crafts a haunting, introspective documentary that questions artistic voice, freedom of speech and how far we will go to achieve our dreams.
WED | AUG 19 | 715pm | 14A | ASL at Cineplex Odeon International Village (3rd floor, 88 West Pender Street)
Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party Stephen Cone (The Wise Kids) brings us another smart incisive film full of depth, guilt, pain, and peace. Traversing the common experience of growing up gay in a home where faith rules, Henry Gamble is turning 17 and his worlds of church, school, adult mentors, family, and youth group are colliding. When Logan (a quiet youth from his church group) arrives, Henry is pulled into the awkward longing and distancing that often comes with adolescent desire. A bold and complex image of the inner struggles of those who hold faith, this film is a sharp work with believable characters, excellent acting, and the beautiful reminder that “the trouble with growing up is that you are always becoming yourself.”
SAT | AUG 15 | 920pm | GCA | PG | ASL at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 West Hastings St @ Cambie St)
Fun, frenetic humour runs through this standout Torontonian take on lesbian relationship drama as Elsie, a clever, mid-thirties serial monogamist, runs away from yet another relationship—as she always does. But, what if there was a twist to Elsie’s long-standing break-up plan? Co-directors Christina Zeidler (from VQFF’s 2007 Deep Lez Film Craft) and John Mitchell bring us a smart, off-the-cuff lesbian non-rom-com that draws upon the complexity of queer relationships and implores us to question how we love and what we choose to throw away. Rife with a cast of Canadian talent (Diane Flacks, Vag Halen’s Vanessa Dunn, Gavin Crawford and Sabrina Jalees) and showcasing this year’s most affecting lesbian cat funeral, Portrait of a Serial Monogamist is a great date night film, with a stellar soundtrack from Toronto’s queer scene to boot.
PRECEDED BY: First Clue | Susan Sullivan | USA | 2013 | 6 min
