VIP Fave Q Movie Pick
Where we ask today’s hottest queer and queer-friendly filmmakers, stars and community leaders to answer the question:
“One of my favorite LGBT movies is...”
Howard Ashman (playwright and lyricist)
A multi-talented writer, director and lyricist, the late Howard Ashman is best know as the lyricist for the classic animated Disney musicals: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin (all composed with his songwriting partner Alan Menken). He and Menken won their first Academy Award for The Little Mermaid. Howard passed away from AIDS-related complications in 1991 and was awarded a posthumous Oscar for his work on Beauty and the Beast. The Oscar was accepted by Menken and Howard’s life partner Bill Lauch (pictured above right, with Howard on the left). We reached out to Lauch to ask if he could tell us what Howard’s favorite LGBT film was and he shared with us the following:
“I’m a little reluctant to speak for Howard regarding his absolute favorite but I’ll relate some of his likes in LGBT films. He loved ones like SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER and THE CHILDREN’S HOUR, even with the gay content slightly obscured by attitudes of the day. And not long after we met in 1984 the subject of John Waters came up. John and Howard both grew up in Baltimore and were acquainted. Howard named FEMALE TROUBLE as his favorite Waters film. I’d seen it in the theater and Howard had the tape so we watched it many times. He loved the big arc of Dawn Davenport’s story, from her tough schoolgirl years to her grisly prison execution. He loved that it captures Divine and all the cast regulars in their most outrageous and raunchy period, with hairdos and outfits as over the top as the performances. It’s packed with memorable lines we were occasionally inclined to drop. I still am. Christmas never passed without one of us at some point saying, ‘I better get them Cha-Cha heels!’”
Please take a moment to visit Part of His World: Celebrating the Work of Howard Ashman — a wonderful website created by Howard’s sister Sarah Ashman Gillespie to honor his memory and to showcase the amazing work of this talented artist of film and theatre. You can also LIKE the official Facebook page, and follow the official Twitter account.
Shelley Doty (writer, STRANGE FRAME)
“I have a *lot* of favorite queer movies, but right now my top LGBT movie is BY HOOK OR BY CROOK, released in 2001. I was in San Francisco in the late ’90s and I remember when co-writers/co-directors Harry Dodge and Silas Howard were going through the process of making this film, and watching it brings me back to a place and time. I love the richness of the characters and the way that they weave their stories into a poetic whole.”
Discover Shelley’s terrific new animated lesbian sci-fi drama, STRANGE FRAME coming to DVD from Wolfe on March 19th and available now worldwide on digital via WolfeOnDemand.com!
Rob Williams (THE MEN NEXT DOOR, ROLE/PLAY)
“My favorite LGBT film is definitely the Merchant Ivory classic MAURICE, probably because it’s one of the first gay films I remember seeing, so it made a huge impact on me. The image of Scudder climbing in Maurice’s window is, to me, one of the most romantic and erotic scenes in film. More recently, I’ve fallen in love with Eldar Rapaport’s AUGUST. Everything about it – the acting, the direction, the music – is absolutely mesmerizing.”
Click the titles for the DVDs of Rob’s wonderful gay films THE MEN NEXT DOOR (brand new on digital and DVD) and ROLE/PLAY! Enjoy the trailers below and then rent or own the films on digital for just $3.99 to rent and $14.99 to own via the WolfeOnDemand.com player below — available worldwide!
Rob’s wildly popular MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY is also available on DVD and Blu-ray from WolfeVideo.com.
Matthew Wilkas (actor, GAYBY)
“I loved WEEKEND (not referring to the Godard, but the one that came out last year by Andrew Haigh). I thought it was heartbreaking but not hopeless — and so utterly relatable. And the actors were incredible. That being said, I feel like I should also mention how much I love Pedro Almodovar movies.”
Discover Matthew’s wonderful gay comedy, GAYBY — now on digital from Wolfe and coming to DVD on December 11th. Click thru to enjoy the trailer and then rent or own the film on digital now — for just $3.99 to rent and $14.99 to own via the WolfeOnDemand.com player below — available in the US and Canada!
Q. Allan Brocka (writer-director, BOY CULTURE, EATING OUT)
“One of my favorite queer movies of all time is the John Waters classic DESPERATE LIVING. When I first saw it, I was a teenager who didn’t even know what an independent film was. The next hour and a half was an epiphany for me. Sexuality and gender clashed with gross out humor, over-the-top visuals, and anarchist tirades. For the first time I realized movies could truly be about ANYTHING you wanted the to be. I began to stop mimicking Hollywood convention and eventually found my own voice as a filmmaker.”
Discover the many popular gay movies Allan has been involved in as a writer and director including: BOY CULTURE; EATING OUT; EATING OUT 2: SLOPPY SECONDS; EATING OUT: ALL YOU CAN EAT; EATING OUT: DRAMA CAMP and EATING OUT: THE OPEN WEEKEND and Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World!
Desiree Lim (writer-director, FLOORED BY LOVE)
“I’m a big fan of romantic lesbian dramas that depict undertold yet inspiring love stories about how women can overcome all kinds of obstacles – be they societal, cultural, political, spiritual etc. – in order to be together and be who they are, mainly because I grew up in very homophobic and conservative cultures in my youth back in Asia. INTIMATES is one rare gem from Asia that offers an eye-opening, insightful glimpse into an epic romance between two Chinese women and their struggle to be together in 1940s China. The performance by the leads — most notably Hong Kong star Carina Lau is electrifying and the chemistry between the women very authentic and painfully endearing. The rich but often overlooked history of female same-sex relationships in the Chinese culture adds historical and cultural context to this beautifully crafted film.”
Discover Desiree’s wonderful family comedy, FLOORED BY LOVE — now on DVD and digital from Wolfe. Enjoy the trailer below and then rent or own the film on digital for just $3.99 to rent and $14.99 to own via the WolfeOnDemand.com player below — available worldwide!
Carrie Preston (star-producer, READY? OK!)
“I have two LGBT films that I love. The first time I saw GO FISH I was so taken with everything about it, especially Guinevere Turner and the fact the she wrote it, produced it and was so adorable as the star of it. It really made me want to make indie films, too. And BIG EDEN is wonderful. A lot of people have never seen this gay film seemingly set in an alternate universe, where everyone celebrates a gay relationship in a tiny mountain town. I feel like our films at Daisy 3 Pictures are similar in spirit.”
She’s best known as one of the stars of HBO’s “True Blood” but Carrie Preston is also a multi-talented producer and director (her debut feature film, THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID recently opened in theaters and her company, Daisy 3 Pictures continues to produce great new film projects).
Discover Carrie’s wonderful family movie, READY? OK! now on DVD and digital from Wolfe. Carrie stars as a suburban single Mom trying to be supportive to her very special young son (who wants more than anything to be a cheerleader). Enjoy the trailer for this heartwarming comedy-drama below and then rent or own the film on digital (for just $3.99 to rent and $14.99 to own) via the WolfeOnDemand.com player below — available now in the US and Canada!
Sean Hudock (co-star, PRIVATE ROMEO)
“Man, I’ve been enthralled by PARIS IS BURNING ever since my 2005 (yes, so belated) introduction to the ’90s portrait of drag culture in the ’80s. As a young artist, performer, and New Yorker the film continues to resonate with me on all levels, and it remains a jarring reminder both of how far we’ve come and the progress that remains in the fight for equality.”
Check out Sean’s terrific performance in PRIVATE ROMEO now on DVD and digital from Wolfe. Enjoy the trailer below and then rent or own the film on digital for just $3.99 to rent and $14.99 to own via the WolfeOnDemand.com player below!
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