bent lens cinema -

boulder’s premier glbtq film society

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Click here to check out recent programs from Bent Lens Cinema Archive.html
Coming Attractions Queer Realities our annual festival featuring some of the most talked about documentaries of the year January 24-26, 2008Queer_Realities.html
7PM Friday, September 21 Bent Lens Cinema co-sponsors THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALLEN GINSBERG WITH FILMMAKER JERRY ARONSON IN PERSON Boulder Public Library Auditorium Admission: FREE Boulder filmmaker Jerry Aronson’s recently remastered documentary is a moving portrait of one of America’s most accomplished and very gay poets, the legendary Alan Ginsberg. It is also a remarkable walk through history in America from the 1940’s to Ginsberg’s death in 1997. Twenty-five years in the making, the film is a must-see for anyone interested in the role of the artist as political animal, featuring extraordinary historical footage of Ginsberg with everyone from Jack Kerouac to Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, and William F Buckley. It also tells the inspiring history of those courageous enough in the 1950s to live their sexuality openly. Aronson’s dynamic portrait of this remarkable man will inspire viewers, whether they are new to Ginsberg, or remember the Beat poets of the 50’s, the mass protests during the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, or his arrival in Boulder in the 1970’s to help establish Naropa University’s writing program. Through interviews and photographs, Aronson gives us a rare look into the private life of Ginsberg as an artist, along with his collaborators and sometimes lovers within the Beat movement (Kerouac, William Burroughs, Neal Cassady), all men who refused to be complicit with the social and political repression of McCarthyism. Visionary, radical, spiritual seeker, renowned poet, founding member of a literary movement, champion of human rights, Buddhist, Jewish, political activist, and gay man, Alan Ginsberg was a man for all seasons. He lived a fascinating life; come learn about it. Meet the filmmaker, Jerry Aronson. Q&A with extra footage after the film. BPL.htmlshapeimage_8_link_0
Saturday, September 15 PFLAG, Bent Lens Cinema, First United Methodist Church Reconciling Ministries, and the City of Boulder Human Rights Office present ANYONE AND EVERYONE WITH FILMMAKER SUSAN POLIS SHUTZ IN PERSON Boulder Public Library Auditorium 6PM Reception; 7PM Film Admission: FREE Co-sponsored by Boulder Pride and the CU LGBT Resource Center Boulder writer and entrepreneur Susan Polis Schutz turns her talents to filmmaking in this debut work about gay children coming out to their parents, and how families come to terms with acceptance in their faith. The several stories come to life through a series of remarkably honest and revealing interviews with parents and children who span a broad spectrum of ethnic and religious backgrounds – all devout in their spiritual practices, all committed to their children and keeping their families together. The words “I’m gay” are not ones most parents think they’ll ever hear from their children. Yet each year, thousands of young people across America struggle to find a way to tell their parents. Many of those parents feel their lives are changed forever in ways they may not yet be aware of or comprehend. “I wanted to show that there are gay children in families from all walks of life,” explained Schutz, “and that families can and do survive together, with love. I wanted to document a variety of parents and their stories to create understanding and compassion.” The candid interviews show parents in moments tearful, confused, courageous, loving, and poignant, and profile families from diverse ethnic, religious, and vocational backgrounds. Schutz adds, “I made this documentary without any kind of political statement, so that it will be viewed by as wide an audience as possible to remind all of us, and help us understand, that all people are one.” “Anyone and Everyone” is a moving and beautiful portrayal of the love between parents and children, and the work some parents are willing to do for the sake of that love. Come early and enjoy refreshments at 6pm, and meet the filmmaker, Susan Polis Schutz. Q&A after the film. BPL.htmlshapeimage_9_link_0

co-sponsors two film programs for September, free and open to the public: