Film festivals devoted to under-represented communities in cinema provide the best opportunities to see reflections of self on screen.
Now in its seventh year, the Black Star Film Festival, unspooling Aug. 2-5 at various locations in Philadelphia, offers 80 shorts, documentaries and features that depict African-American, African-diaspora and other communities.
The festival’s opening-night feature is the fabulous documentary “Mr. Soul,” about the little-known landmark African-American TV series, “Soul!” that aired on WNET (Channel 13, in New York) from 1968-73. Ellis Haizlip, the show’s producer and frequent host, was a gay man who provided both a celebration of and a showcase for African-American singers — Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder and Al Green among them — as well as poet/activist Nikki Giovanni and out gay writer James Baldwin. Haizlip even had Louis Farrakhan on the program and dared to ask the leader of the Nation of Islam about homosexuality on air. “Mr. Soul” is an astonishing collection of interviews and archival footage of a program that was both ahead of as well as of its time, as one talking head suggests.
The Black Star Film Festival also offers moviegoers another opportunity to see writer/director Shaz Bennett’s ambitious drama, “Alaska Is a Drag.” The film played in Philly last October, and is based on her award-winning short. Leo (Philly native Martin L. Washington Jr.) is a young, gay African-American guy who is bullied at the fish cannery where he works. When newcomer Declan (out actor Matt Dallas) comes to Leo’s aid, the guys become close friends — and possible romantic partners. There are subplots involving Leo’s complicated family, his penchant for performing in drag at Jan’s (Margaret Cho) bar and his affinity for boxing. Bennett shoehorns too many storylines into her brief running time. Nevertheless, Washington is ingratiating as Leo, and Dallas is pretty dreamy as his potential love interest.
Two shorts at the fest are particularly distinguished: “Happy Birthday, Marsha,” written and directed by Reina Gossett and Sasha Wortzel, stars trans actor Mya Taylor (from “Tangerine”) as Marsha P. Johnson, the pioneering transgender activist. Set in 1969, this short has Marsha hoping her friends will attend her birthday party. Instead, they all head off to the Stonewall Inn, where history will be made. This stylized film features archival footage and recreations, plus trans filmmaker Silas Howard in a supporting role as the Stonewall manager.
Brandy (Kelli Jordan) in “Suitable”
Another terrific short is “Suitable,” written by Rochée Jeffrey and directed by Thembi Banks. Best friends Brandy (Kelli Jordan) and Ashley (Tiffany Tenille) are debating what to do about prom. After Ashley turns down Jason’s (Derick Anthony) offer to go, Brandy ends up with two possibilities: Go with Ashley or Jason. How things play out — and what she wears — is both surprising and highly satisfying.
There are several youth films at the festival, and a trio of entries depicts young LGBTQ life. “Hot & Bothered” by Leah Byrd is a web series that has the queer Liz (Byrd) and her straight best friend Stan (Ian Ashwell), a programmer, developing an app for lesbians called Sczr after Liz suffers a series of microaggressions on the dating scene. Through the app, Liz meets Riley (Meghan Rupper), a romantic partner who also helps her take her app to the next level. Unfortunately, this relationship creates a conflict with Stan, who has issues not only with Riley, but also with his nosy coder coworkers, Stephanie (Emmy Chodan) and Kevin (Austin DeVaughn). The low-budget “Hot & Bothered” is very likable and often amusing, but this hour-long program — season one of the series — ends on a cliffhanger that may frustrate viewers wanting more.
“Beefcake” is a three-minute short featuring a voice-over by a young man (Javier Mendoza) as he recounts his experiences being bisexual. As images show him connecting with another guy (Lionell Smalls-James), he describes the pressures and intimacy issues he has being with either men or women. It is a poignant and affecting short.
“Beyond My Skin” is writer/director Aniya Ivy Wolfe’s feature-length adaptation of her short, “Skin,” about three troubled teens. Devin (Cole Selby) is ridiculed for being gay by both his classmates and his homophobic father (Andrew Hunsicker). However, when Mason (Jose Becerra) befriends him, Devin feels comfortable enough to reveal his gender-nonconforming identity. How Mason handles that information forms much of the film’s dramatic tension. Meanwhile, Devin’s best friend, Olive (Isabella Ferreira), is trying to get out from under the thumb of her overprotective mother (Melissa O’Donnell), and Brynn (Jabriah Anderson) wants to protect her sister Trinity (Deysha Nelson) from their abusive stepfather. While this issue-oriented film is well-meaning and raises important points about teen experiences, self-worth and sexuality, its delivery is amateurish. It may work best for younger viewers.
Lastly, while it is not a queer film per se, “Jinn” has Summer (the fantastic Zoe Renee) flirting with women before she embraces an Islamic identity following her mother Jade’s (Simone Missick) lead. n