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Bent Lens 2010 Archives
(Scroll down to see films shown in 2010.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * Sunday, July 24, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * *

"La Mission"
Starring Benjamin Bratt

at the Nomad Theater
1410 Quince Avenue in Boulder, Colorado.
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"La Mission" Directed by Peter Bratt starring Benjamin Bratt, Jeremy Ray Valdez and Erika Alexander USA, 2009, 117 min., English. "... from the thorn emerges the flower." Growing up in the Mission district of San Francisco, Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) has always had to be tough to survive. A reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic, Che has worked hard to redeem his life and do right by his pride and joy: his only son, Jes (Jeremy Ray Valdez), whom he has raised on his own after the death of his wife. Che's path to redemption is tested, however, when he discovers Jes is gay. Benjamin Bratt gives what is regarded as one of the finest performances of his career, and newcomer Jeremy Ray Valdez makes an impressive debut in "La Mission" -- an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival, heralded by the New York Post as "an inspiring gem," and praised by the San Francisco Chronicle as "a gorgeous and moving film." "... alternately funny, sad, thought-provoking and romantic — (La Mission) poignantly touches on sociological and economical subjects while utilizing San Francisco as a colorful backdrop." - Adam Perry, Boulder Weekly (Read the full Boulder Weekly review.) Watch the trailer for "La Mission"

* * * * * * * * * * * * Sunday, June 6, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * *

"In Good Conscience"
Sponsored by Bent Lens Cinema,
Boulder Pride, PFLAG-Boulder County
and allied parents from Sacred Heart of Jesus elementary school.

3:30pm at the Boulder Public Library Canyon Theater
Canyon Blvd. entrance (extensive parking at 1001 Arapahoe Avenue) in Boulder, Colorado.
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Admission: FREE!

and featuring Sister Jeannine Gramick IN PERSON! *

In Good Conscience Directed by Barbara Rick USA, 2004, 82 min., English Why is this woman scaring the hell out of the Vatican? "In Good Conscience" chronicles the true story of Sister Jeannine Gramick, who is defying a Vatican edict that she shut down her compassionate ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics, and silence herself permanently on the subject of homosexuality. Her battle takes her all the way to Rome where she attempts an audience with her key adversary over the years - none other than Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - the Inquisitor who would become Pope Benedict XVI. "I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression by restricting a basic human right," she says. "To me this is a matter of conscience."  Watch a preview of "In Good Conscience." *Sister Jeannine Gramick will give a talk immediately following this special free screening.

* * * * * * * * * * * * Thursday, April 1, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Anyone and Everyone"
Sponsored by Bent Lens Cinema,
Boulder Valley Safe Schools Coalition, Boulder Pride, PFLAG,
and the 2010 Lafayette Cesear Chavez Celebration.

7:00pm at the Mary Miller Theater
300 E. Simpson in Lafayette, Colorado.
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Admission: FREE!

Directed by Susan Polis Schutz USA, 2007, 57 min., English In her moving debut film, Boulder writer and entrepreneur Susan Polis Schutz interviewed parents across the country with a gay or lesbian child to find out how they learned about their child's sexual orientation, and what their responses were.  Families from all walks of life -- Asian, Native American Latino and African American, as well as from an array of religious backgrounds including Mormon, Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Hindu -- share intimate accounts of how their children revealed their sexuality, and their struggle to understand. Through a series of remarkably honest and revealing interviews with parents and children, the stories of these families come to life, at turns tearful, confused, courageous, loving and poignant.   "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. "Anyone and Everyone" first aired in 2007 on PBS and went on to play on most PBS stations throughout the country.  Bent Lens Cinema's first screening of this film with PFLAG in 2007 was sold out: if you missed it then, you have a 2nd chance on April 1! Light refreshments will be served. www.anyoneandeveryone.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * Saturday, March 13, 2010 * * * * * * * * * * * *

"The Butch Factor"
preceded by the short comedy
"Kaveri" ("A Mate")

7:30pm at the Nomad Theater
1410 Quince Avenue (Broadway & Quince) in Boulder, Colorado.
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General Admission: $8.00

"The Butch Factor" Directed by Christopher Hines USA, 2009, 88 min., English Is there a gay man who hasn't thought about the meaning of masculinity? Director Christopher Hines takes us on a fascinating investigation of gay men and sexuality that blows the lid off stereotypes and showcases the many forms of gay masculinity -- from muscle men, rodeo riders and rugby players to spiritual practitioners and self-described sissies.  Insightful interviews mixed with top notch eye-candy make this fast-paced testosterone tour a must-watch film for gay men and their allies.    From the Castro culture of the 1970s to today’s Bears, footballers and gym rats, the men interviewed speak candidly on topics from homophobia to metrosexuality to embracing effeminacy, as they reveal what their masculinity means to them as gay men in America today.   Hines talked to dozens of gay men, seeking out a wide variety of experiences to reflect the many different ways gay man express their masculinity.     Gay and bisexual men have used the words “butch” and “straight-acting” to judge the perceived masculinity, or lack thereof, of other men and their own masculinity.  But these terms have provoked debate within the LGBT community -- not everyone uses them to mean the same things.  Hines shows us a range of gay male presentations and identities, and explodes assumptions about masculinity one after another. View Trailer for "The Butch Factor" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preceded by the short comedy: "Kaveri" ("A Mate") Directed by Teemu Nikki, Finland, 2008, 7 min., Finnish w/English subtitles. Boys will be boys when one's wife slips out to the market.  He wants to try something new, and convinces his friend to give it a whirl on the kitchen floor.  And then she returns... Followed by the Bent Lens Salon!

* * * * * * * * * * * * 2010 Queer Realities * * * * * * * * * * * *

Friday, January 15 thru Sunday, January 17, 2010

at the Nomad Theater
1410 Quince Avenue (Broadway & Quince) in Boulder, Colorado.
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Schedule subject to change.

Boulder Pride Queer Youth Film Project (Various directors, USA, 2009, English Total run time: approx. 90 min.) For the past four months a dedicated, passionate group of twelve Boulder County Queer Youth, ages 14 to 20 years old, have been learning how to make films as part of Boulder Pride's Queer Youth Film Project. These young budding filmmakers are excited to debut their work in this very special shorts program, co-sponsored by Boulder Pride. Local Poet/Activist Andrea Gibson will open the evening. Friday, January 15, 2010 5:00 p.m. (Free Admission)	"Queer Youth Film Project" Shorts Program
Training Rules (Dir. Dee Mosbacher and Fawn Yacker USA, 2009, 57 min., English) No drugs. No drinking. No lesbians. For over 25 years, Penn State women’s basketball coach Rene Portland’s homophobic coaching philosophy wrecked the lives and dreams of many talented young players, without any public challenges to her bigotry. But in 2006, sophomore and Lady Lions standout Jennifer Harris took on the iconic coach, after allegedly being dismissed based on perceptions of her sexual orientation. TRAINING RULES follows this classic David vs. Goliath story, and packs a punch as it explores the disturbing facts of the Harris vs. Portland case and tells Jennifer's story as well as those of six other talented athletes who were victimized through the years. View trailer for "Training Rules." Friday, January 15, 2010 7:30 p.m.* ($8 General Admission) followed by the Bent Lens Salon. *Preceded by the short: 575 Castro St. (Dir. Jenni Olson, USA, 2009, 7 Min., English) A simple, direct, and incredibly moving combination of images (captured at the address of the camera shop owned by San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk) and archival tape recordings Milk made shortly before his death.	"Training Rules" "575 Castro St."
Valentino: The Last Emperor (Dir. Matt Tyrnauer USA, 2009, 96 min., English & Italian with English subtitles) Produced and directed by Matt Tyrnauer, Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, the film is an intimate, engaging and very funny fly-on-the-wall exploration of the singular world of the legendary designer Valentino Garavani in the wake of his exit in 2008 from the company he founded in Rome more than 45 years ago. The film documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of Valentino's celebrated career, tells the story of his extraordinary life and work, and also explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today. But at the heart of the film is the unique relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti. View trailer for "Valentino: The Last Emperor." Saturday, January 16, 2010 7:30 p.m.* ($8 General Admission) followed by the Bent Lens Salon. *Preceded by the short: Get Happy! (Dir. Mark Payne, USA, 2008, 25 Min., English) A coming-of-age musical extravaganza! Mark Payne's exuberant footage from childhood performances reveal a unique but loving upbringing, by a mother & grandmother who allowed Mark to express himself in a most unconventional way (resulting in a successful career that has included designing clothes for Madonna & Cher, and becoming one of Hollywood's most sought-after makeup artists). View trailer for "Get Happy!"	"Valentino: The Last Emperor" "Get Happy!"
City of Borders (Dir. Yun Suh USA/Israel/Palestine, 2009, 66 min., English, Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles) CITY OF BORDERS follows the daily lives of five Israelis and Palestinians, who are among the regulars at Jerusalem’s only gay bar, Shushan, an unusual symbol of unity that defies generations of segregation, violence and prejudice. Set against the construction of the separation wall between Israel and the Palestinian territories and the struggle for a gay pride parade in Jerusalem, these inter-woven stories reveal the contradictions and complexity of the struggle for acceptance, and explores how people of opposing nationalities, religions and sexual orientations struggle to create an island of peace in a land divided by war. Sunday, January 17, 2010 3 p.m.* ($6 General Admission for BOTH Sunday films.) *Followed by a discussion led by Bent Lens Cinema's Ray McCarus and Jewish Mosaic's Caryn Aviv. View trailer for "City of Borders."	"City of Borders"
Diagnosing Difference (Dir. Annalise Ophelian USA, 2009, 60 min., English) How does it feel to have your gender identity included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders? DIAGNOSING DIFFERENCE humanizes the debate around the GID diagnosis by valuing personal experience as a vital (and often ignored) form of expertise. Rather than trying to create an exhaustive examination of the diagnosis or offer claims of universal representation, the film is purposefully personal, seeking to expand the experience of the audience, provoke thought, and create as many questions as it answers. This groundbreaking film is the first to explore the impact of the GID diagnosis on people who identify on the trans spectrum in their own words and images. Sunday, January 17, 2010 Approx. 4:30 p.m. (after "City of Borders")* ($6 General Admission for BOTH Sunday films.) *Followed by a discussion led by Kelley Winters, GID Reform Advocates, and Dylan Scholinski (featured in the film, and an artist and founder of Sent(a)Mental Studios). View trailer for "Diagnosing Difference."	"Diagnosing Difference"

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