18th OUT IN AFRICA GAY FILM FESTIVAl

Date : 10/5/2011

AFRICAN PREMIÈRE OF JAMES FRANCO BEAT GENERATION BIOPIC OPENS THIRD AND FINAL 2011 OUT IN AFRICA 

Oscar-nominated rising star James Franco (Milk, 127 Hours, Rise of Planet of the Apes) stars as Beat Generation poet Allan Ginsberg in Howl, the opening night film at this year’s third and final edition of Out in Africa (OIA). Franco’s career-defining role focuses on the Pulitzer Prize-nominee during the infamous public indecency trial of his work.

Weeds’ Mary Louise Parker and Mad Men’s Jon Hamm also feature alongside a host of familiar faces like Jeff Daniels (Squid and The Whale) and David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck).

It’s directed by legendary documentary filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, who have two Oscars, three Peabodies and multiple Emmy Awards between them.

OIA runs from 21-30 October 2011 at Nu Metro Hyde Park in Johannesburg and V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The African premières of a number of other high-profile films have already been confirmed. These include:

Pariah, an unusual and accomplished African American lesbian coming-of-age story which won Best Cinematography at Sundance 2011, where it was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.

Heartbeats, directed by and starring Canadian wizzkid Xavier Dolan (I Killed My Mother). This love triangle twist, which won the Youth Prize at Cannes International Film Festival, is about a fag, his hag and the boy they both want. 

Room in Rome, a steamy lesbian one-night stand romance from acclaimed Spanish director Julio Medem (Sex and Lucia, Lovers of the Arctic Circle).

Gun Hill Road, a Sundance Grand Jury Prize nominee about an ex-con who returns home to the Bronx and a really queer son. The San Francisco Chronicle called it “gritty, delicate, in your face and nuanced at the same time.”

The Adonis Factor, a candid documentary about Marys, martyrs to their muscles, and the gay fashion-facisti.
Going Down in La-La Land, a riveting look at how to get ahead in Hollywood, based on Andy Zeffer’s novel.  It’s directed by OIA favourite Caspar Andreas (The Big Gay Musical, A Four Letter World, Slutty Summer).

Heart Breaks Open, directed by Billie Rain, tells the heartbreaking story of Jesus, a queer activist whose world implodes after discovering that he is HIV positive.

The local documentaries Breaking Out of the Box, about successful black lesbians in South Africa, and Whisper Not, about triumphing over HIV. 

Keep an eye on www.oia.co.za for the final programme, the iPhone and Android app, and news of international guest filmmakers.

Tickets are R47 in Jozi and R45 in CT – but there are lots of concessions available – Clicks, Metropolitan, OAPs and Woza Wednesdays for Fanatics. 

MUST WATCH TRAILERS

Howl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba9yazkl0UE

Pariah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwYtHVlQN9c

Heartbeats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znpU_Aup-Bg

Gun Hill Road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09zgt6-f_b4

The Adonis Factor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqhbC5s51w4

Going Down in La-La Land

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyLw2QABtqw

ABOUT OUT IN AFRICA

Out In Africa is made possible through support from Atlantic Philanthropies, the National Lottery, the National Film and Video Foundation, The Times, the Cape Film Commission, 6 Spin Street, Graton Guest House and Rutland Lodge. For more information, visit www.oia.co.za.