The Philadelphia International Film Festival ends next week, but there are still plenty of queer films to catch. Here’s a list of what’s still to unspool.
Camp Out
A fascinating examination of queer Christian teenagers at a bible camp in the Midwest, Camp Out starts out roughly by introducing a few of the subjects, all of whom have different levels of spirituality and sexuality. Yet once the teens start to bond over campfires, encounter sessions and team-building activities, they become people audiences will care about and appreciate. This is a surprisingly engaging, heartfelt documentary that sheds light on a different kind of queer youth, and raises issues about the overlap of religion and homosexuality. Thurs., July 20, 5pm, Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, 215.545.0590; Sat., July 22, 2:30pm, Arts Bank.
Coffee Date
A feature-length version of director Stewart Wade’s short film, this story about the platonic friendship between gay guy Kelly (Wilson Cruz) and straight man Todd (Jonathan Bray) isn’t bad, but it could have been much better. The one-joke idea (which played much better on Seinfield) is that an insecure metrosexual is mistaken for gay, despite all his protesting. His family and co-workers are all okay with him being out, but he’s not, and that’s it for the punch line. Cruz is appealing as the queer Kelly, and he looks great throughout, even when he’s reciting uninspired dialogue. Bray is bland as the lead, and Sally Kirkland (who produced) is shrill as Todd’s mom. The whole film plays too much like a sitcom and not enough like a movie. Fri., July 21, 10pm, Wilma Theater; Sat., July 22, 2:30pm, Wilma Theater.
Eleven Men Out
The film opens with Ottar (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson), a gay football (soccer) player in Iceland coming out and facing homophobia as a result. While his teammates and family are dismayed-and their selfishness comes right to the surface-the hero is no prize, either. His vanity seems to drive him-and drive potential boyfriends away. Eleven Men Out is particularly adept at presenting these mostly unlikable characters grappling with the impact of this disclosure, and the good-looking Haraldsson gives an impressive performance in the lead role. Thurs., July 20, 9:30pm, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 215.569.9700; Fri., July 21, 5pm, Prince Music Theater.
Innocent
A sensitive romantic drama about Eric (Timothy Lee), a teenager migrating with his family from Hong Kong to Canada and grappling with life and gay love. After a series of unfortunate crushes-one of which ostracizes him in high school-Eric takes action to change his life and live on his own terms. Innocent is crudely made and acted, but captivating nonetheless. This film is as notable for addressing the immigrant experience as it is for sympathetically depicting the queer one. Thurs., July 20, 7:15pm, Arts Bank; Mon., July 24, 6pm, Arts Bank.
Laughing Matters…More
This documentary about lesbian comics is more insightful than amusing as Sabrina Matthews, Elvira Kurt, Vickie Shaw and San Francisco native René Hicks talk about coming out and being out in show business in between performing their stand-up routines. (The film intersperses the conversations with the comedy.) Kurt is especially funny when she talks about her mother, and Matthews has some great zingers about lesbian stereotypes. This is an entertaining, if all too brief documentary. Fri., July 21, 9:30pm, Arts Bank; Sun., July 23, 12:15pm, Arts Bank.
Like a Brother
Clocking in at just one hour, this French film flips back and forth through time as it chronicles the sexual awakening of a cute teenager moving to Paris and leaving his best friend (whom he harbors a crush on) behind. While it takes too long for the story to hit its stride, once it does, there are some very passionate, erotic moments. Thurs., July 20, 9:30pm, Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, 215.546.7824; Sun., July 23, 7pm, Arts Bank.
Loving Annabelle
While audiences may want to love this beautifully photographed drama about a rebellious Catholic school student who’s hot for teacher, unfortunately, much of it does not make much narrative sense. The drama unfolds too slowly, then too quickly as episodes such as the death of a character’s pet porcupine to the inappropriate relationship that develops suddenly between the main characters to the forced tragic ending. Loving Annabelle is a mess-a good-looking mess, but a mess nonetheless. Fri., July 21, 7:45pm, Wilma Theater; Sun., July 23, 2:30pm, Wilma Theater.
Pick Up the Mic
An interesting documentary about queer hip-hop artists, this film features many unique voices and personalities and performances, but somehow it’s still unsatisfying. With few exceptions, the film shies away from reveling much about the subjects’ personal lives. Yes, the music scene is the focus here, but the diverse group of GLBT performers is all just given their 15 minutes-and it’s more than enough. They rap and talk, but they don’t have much to say except, “I’m queer.” Sun., July 23, 9:15pm, Arts Bank.
Vacationland
This superb film by Todd Verow is about a Joe, a gay teenager (Brad Hallowell) grappling with his sexuality, a childhood trauma and getting into college. Verow’s film is one of the most perceptive and unapologetic films about gay teens, capturing the awkwardness of first love, and the desire to strike out on one’s own without condescending or pandering. Hallowell makes an adorable, sympathetic lead and Gregory J. Lucas as his cute boyfriend ably supports him. Thurs., July 20, 9:30pm, Arts Bank; Sat., July 22, 5pm, Arts Bank.
A Very Serious Person
Charles Busch writes, directs and stars in this underdeveloped drama about a queer young boy named Gil (P.J. Verhoest) spending his summer with his dying grandmother (Polly Bergen). When Jan (Busch), a nurse, arrives to care for the dementia-suffering old woman, he becomes a mentor to the boy, and they befriend Glenda (Julie Halston) and Lee (Carl Andress), two local hairdressers. Despite the important message to let boys grow up as queeny as they want to be, A Very Serious Person is often more embarrassing that serious, featuring silly moments like a fight in the beauty parlor, or Gil throwing a tantrum. Only when Jan, Glenda and Lee dress up in costume to perform a play does the film show any glimmer of fun. Alas, it’s short lived. Jan talks about “having 5 minutes of happiness twice a year.” Audiences will have about five minutes of joy watching this lackluster film. Sat., July 22, 7:15pm, Arts Bank; Sun., July 23, 12:15pm, Wilma Theater.
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AroundPhilly Staff
