Now in its 20th year, The Gaze Dublin international Film Festival has a lot to live up to, but it looks as if this year it may well outdo itself. Taking up residence in the lovely Light House Cinema, GAZE returns again with a huge array of films, talks, and general fun-making (namely DJs and a late night bar licence) over five days and nights at the beginning of August. With so many films, it might be easy to feel swamped, but luckily, festival programmer David Mullane, gave us his list of ones to watch out for.
Circumstance
Opening Night Gala, Thursday 2nd August, 8:00pm
A beautifully shot and moving tale about two young girls in Iran who fall in love and must face up to the dangers of being who they are in a tyrannical country of fear, oppression and violence. If you’ve seen last year’s The Devil’s Double (with Dominic Cooper), you’ll love this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td-cYUVOg4Q
Leave It On The Floor
Friday 3rd August, 6:30pm
A musical about a young man who’s kicked out of his house and finds a new home amongst a group of drag queens, who perform at clubs and walking competitions. It’s like a mix of ‘Glee’, ‘Paris Is Burning’, ‘Dreamgirls’ and the ‘Step Up’ series.
Mother Tongue
Friday 3rd August, 8:30pm
An hilarious comedy about a thirtysomething Argentine woman who comes out to her mother late in life. Her mother, determined to accept and understand her daughter, journeys into the unknown world of the lesbian, exploring their habits, their sexual behaviours and their relationships. It’s a lovely feel-good, give-your-mam-a-hug kind of film.
Weekend
Saturday 4th August, 2:30pm
This is one of my favourite films of all time. It’s a free screening (as a thank you to our loyal GAZE audiences) of a 2011 film, which has already had a cinema release. You might have heard of it – it was a huge cross-over success. It’s the story of Glen and Russell who meet on Friday, fall in love on Saturday and must separate on Sunday. It’s beautifully shot, amazing acted, hauntingly written and I just can’t say enough about the film.
We also have curated an exhibition of stills from the film, which will hang in the Light House during the festival. One of the photographers will be at the festival to introduce the screening and the exhibition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkC7xHAfxm4
Keep The Lights On
Saturday 4th August, 8:30pm
Winner of the Queer Palm at Cannes 2012, this is the story of two men and their relationship, spanning almost a decade. Set in New York, it’s a great looking film, with a very authentic script. This is set to be one of the most solid screenings at this year’s fest – it’s LGBT filmmaking at its best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3tTNtAqOFM
Jobriath A.D.
Sunday 5th August, 8:30pm
This is the most not-to-be-missed film at GAZE 2012. Super cool documentary about Jobriath, the first gay rock star, the American David Bowie and the ‘True Fairy of Rock and Roll’. Both the director and Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott (schedule permitting) will be here for a post-screening Q&A. It’s going to be one of the hottest tickets at the festival.
Carol Channing: Larger Than Life
Monday 6th August, 5:30pm
Possibly the funniest and most charming film in the festival, this is the story of Carol Channing, one of Broadway’s biggest legends. Her career began in the late 40s/early 50s, she made it in the 60s and is still going strong today at 92. Packed with fantastic stories and interviews from people like Bob Mackie, Angela Lansbury, Debbie Reynolds and Chita Rivera but the main star is Carol herself, who spends the film chatting and joking to the camera.
All The Way Through Evening
Closing Night Gala, Monday 6th August, 8:00pm
A documentary about a New York musician who organises an annual memorial concert for all the musician friends she lost from HIV/AIDS. Featuring archive recordings, interviews with bereaved families and studio recordings of some of the music, followed by a Q&A with the director and a live performance from an internationally acclaimed tenor featured in the doc, this will be one of the most memorable GAZE galas ever.
For a full programme of events and films at the festival, and to book tickets or one of the great bargain packages (or even a festival pass), go to www.gaze.ie
