The 13th edition of the venerable BlackStar Film Festival, screens in area theaters and online Aug. 1-4. The program showcases the best in “Black, Brown, and Indigenous film and media” while also featuring panels, parties and more.
There are a number of LGBTQ+ features, documentaries and shorts in this year’s festival including the World Premiere of “Dreams in Nightmares” (Aug. 1; 7 p.m.; Perelman Theater), a dramatic film about “three Black queer femmes who go on a road trip in search of a friend who seemingly disappeared.” A Q&A with local filmmaker Shatara Michelle Ford and star Denée Benton will follow the screening.
BlackStar offers viewers a chance to see the 1995 documentary, “A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde,” (Aug. 4; 2 p.m.; Perelman Theater and online) which honors the late “Black lesbian feminist warrior poet mother” Audre Lorde through her poetry, interviews, wisdom and righteous anger. This reverent film recounts Lorde’s childhood and how she was a bad student at Catholic school but developed a lifelong love of reading. She published a poem in Seventeen magazine, had two children (with a white man), and experienced sexual, racial and political awakenings. As she came out, Lorde began working as a teacher and an activist, inspiring others, such as the poet Sapphire, who — along with Lorde’s friends Adrienne Rich, Sonia Sanchez, and Essex Hemphill — all appear in the film. This is a fond remembrance of the late, great poetess, and directors Ada Gay Griffin and Michelle Parkerson will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. A spotlight conversation on the film will be held Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Perelman Theater.
“A Mother Apart” (Aug. 3, 5:30 p.m., Perelman Theater) is a highly personal documentary about lesbian poet Staceyann Chin seeking out her birth mother, Hazel, who abandoned her as a child. “My mother remains a mystery to me,” she says, late in the film, while trying to learn more about Hazel from others who knew her. Chin even meets Hazel a few times and their encounters are interesting. The poet does not mince words when Hazel has issues with her daughter being gay. But what makes “A Mother Apart” meaningful is the way Chin’s image of her mother conflicts with the reality of her, and how Chin—a mother herself—works to create a loving relationship with her own daughter. A Q&A with Chin will follow the screening.
“The Queen of My Dreams,” (Aug. 1; 2:30 p.m.; Suzanne Roberts Theatre and online) written and directed by Fawzia Mirza, has Azra (Amrit Kaur), a Muslim lesbian, processing her anger toward her traditionalist mother, Mariam (Nimra Bucha) especially after her father Hassan (Hamza Haq) suddenly dies. This comedy/drama opens in 1999 Toronto, but long stretches of the film depict Mariam’s courtship with Hassan in 1969 Pakistan, where Mariam lied to and defied her parents. Other scenes feature Azra as a pre-teen (Ayana Manji) which adds another layer to the mamadrama. The parallels between mother and daughter are meaningful, and “The Queen of My Dreams” features music and dance numbers to make deeper connections along with scenes of Azra resenting the archaic patriarchy that Mariam endures. Fawzia’s film offers a percipient look at South Asian women and culture.
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The BlackStar Film Festival also features more than a half dozen shorts by queer filmmakers or about queer subjects.
The inspiring documentary “Amma’s Pride” (Aug. 3; 5:30 p.m.; PAFA and online) depicts the love Valli has for her trans daughter, Srija, in Thoothukudi, South India. When Srija tries to wed Arun Kumar, they are denied, and the couple seeks to validate their marriage and trans rights. However, Arun’s mother opposes Srija, and a series of events strain the couple’s relationship. As years pass, Valli hopes for her daughter’s happiness, and “Amma’s Pride” hinges on love winning out.
“The Archive; Queer Nigerians,” (Aug. 4; 6:30 p.m.; PAFA and online) is a fantastic short that compiles audio recordings of African exiles living in the UK. They talk freely about living authentically abroad, and how they negotiate their relationships with their families back home. One subject, Tomkólá, who is intersex, describes being with their family is like being in drag. Another interviewee, Alex, talks about his mental illness issues. Others express the importance of being loved. This short, with striking images of its subjects, shines a necessary light on queer African diasporic experiences.
Local queer Latinx filmmaker Kristal Sotomayor’s cogent documentary short, “Expanding Sanctuary,” (Aug. 1; 1:30 p.m.; at PAFA and online) chronicles the efforts (in 2018) to end the Preliminary Arraignment Reporting System (PARS), a sharing agreement, which allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access Police Departments’ databases on immigrants. As Linda Hernandez gets involved with JUNTOS, a local community-based organization — she and her husband Bertin protest to end PARS even on their wedding day! — she illustrates the power of community activism.
“Grace” (Aug. 3; 6 p.m.; Suzanne Roberts Theatre and online) is a delicate period drama about the titular teenager (Jordan Rayanna Wells), who gets a kiss from Luise (Alexis Cofield) on her birthday. But her sister (Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew) and Big Mama (C L Simpson) talk with her about sin and repentance as she is about to be baptized for the second time. This modest short sensitively addresses the God vs. gay dilemma. (This film precedes the feature “Inky Pinky Ponky — The Odd One Out”).
“Saturn Risin9” (Aug. 4, 11 a.m., Perelman Theater and online) is a vibrant, gorgeous meditation of the struggles experienced by the titular queer performer told through spoken word and dance. They discuss queerness, the pollution of the environment—both social and natural—and how they create a space for healing. As they explain their mission of helping others as they have helped themselves, “Saturn Risin9” is motivating.
“What Channel Is Love?” (Aug. 4; 3:30 p.m.; PAFA and online) has director Michael Donte questioning relationships after a breakup. His investigation features observations from groups of his peers about how folks approach or meet someone, how couples knew their partner was “the one,” and what it means to love unconditionally. Nimbly told in a visually dynamic style, this fabulous short probes what it means to be with someone and provides some insightful answers.
“Wouldn’t Make It Any Other Way” (Aug 3; 8:30 p.m.; PAFA and online) is a compelling portrait of Marc Marcos, a queer Guam transplant, currently living and sewing in Iowa City. When they are called back home to make costumes for a local theater production, Marc grapples with feelings about family as their mother pressures Marc to stay, despite their father’s attitudes toward Marc’s sexual identity. This short film directed by Hao Zhou, is as ingratiating and as engaging as its subject.
For tickets and more information on BlackStar Film Festival, visit blackstarfest.org.
