The Provincetown Film Festival may be one of the most delightful festivals anywhere. Let me count (just a few of) the ways:
1. Provincetown is totally adorable.
2. The town is navigable by rented bike, which the festival can help you arrange.
3. P-town is queer-friendly, family-friendly, and film-friendly—and just a touch kooky.
4. The festival isn’t ostensibly an LGBT film festival, but it’s really gay anyhow (see below).
5. You can go right from a morning or midday film to any of the beaches, which are lovely and plentiful.
6. You might sit next to John Waters’ hat like I did last year.
The hat story: I arrived late in a crowded screening for Regarding Susan Sontag, and looked for one of the few remaining open seats. Before recognizing the Pink Flamingos directior, I asked Waters, who was seated on the aisle, if the seat next to him—the one with a hat on it—was free. He told me it was not, so I squeezed past him into the row and took the seat beyond. His hat sat unperturbed between us for the screening. He evidently liked the documentary (though he had his disagreements with Songtag as a human being). I don’t know what the hat made of it.
The 2015 festival dates are June 17–21 and passes are on sale as of May 19 to Provincetown Film Society members, and to the general public on May 23. For more information, please visit PtownFilmFest.org.
These LGBT– and queer-interest films in this year’s festival are these:
CLOSING NIGHT SELECTION
I Am Michael– directed by Justin Kelly
James Franco stars as rabble-rousing gay activist Michael Glatze, former editor of popular gay magazine XY, who famously renounces his homosexuality. A challenging and thought-provoking work sure to keep people talking. With Zachary Quinto and Emma Roberts.
SPOTLIGHT SELECTIONS
Grandma – directed by Paul Weitz
Lily Tomlin plays a poet who has recently lost her partner. When her granddaughter shows up on her doorstep with an emergency, the two hit the road – in Tomlin’s own vintage Dodge. Also with Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer and Sam Elliott.
Tab Hunter Confidential – directed by Jeffrey Schwartz
In the 1950’s, Tab Hunter was one of the original teenage heartthrobs: his blonde hair, blue eyes, and all-American good looks had girls across the country swooning. But he had a secret: he is gay. In Tab Hunter Confidential, we hear his story in his own words.
NARRATIVE FEATURES
Fresno – directed by Jamie Babbit
Judy Greer and Natasha Lyonne star as co-dependent sisters working as hotel maids in this risqué comedy from veteran director Jamie Babbit (But I’m A Cheerleader). Features an all-star cast including Aubrey Plaza, Molly Shannon, Fred Armisen, Ron Livingston, and Clea Duvall.
Nasty Baby – directed by Sebastián Silva
A Brooklyn artist and his boyfriend want to conceive a baby with their best friend, Polly, but she is not getting pregnant. Adding to their stress is the launching of a new art installation and an ever-present mentally ill neighbor. With Kristen Wiig and Sebastián Silva.
The New Girlfriend – directed by François Ozon
A young woman makes a surprising discovery about the husband of her late best friend. Veteran director François Ozon’s new film is a moving and revealing tale about being true to one’s self.
The Summer of Sangaile – directed by Alanté Kavaïté
Seventeen-year-old Sangaile, fascinated by stunt planes, meets Auste, a girl her age, at the summer aeronautical show. In Auste, Sangaile finds her teenage love, and someone who truly encourages her to fly.
Tangerine – directed by Sean Baker
Sean Baker’s latest film revolves around Sin-Dee (Kiki Katina Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), who embark on a crazed search to find Sin-Dee’s pimp on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles after Sin-Dee learns that he’s been cheating on her.
Those People – directed by Joey Kuhn
On Manhattan’s gilded Upper East Side, a young gay painter is torn between an obsession with his infamous best friend and a promising new romance with an older foreign pianist. East Coast Premiere!
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
Best of Enemies – directed by Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville
In 1968, two of America’s most brilliant minds, William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal, went head to head in a series of televised debates that changed television discourse forever. This behind-the-scenes account presents the momentous meetings of our nation’s conservative and liberal icons.
Clambake – directed by Andrea Meyerson
In 1984, several women innkeepers in Provincetown got together to plan an event to entice their summer patrons to return during the off season. 30 years later Women’s Week in Provincetown has become one of the largest lesbian destinations in the world.
Danny Says – directed by Brendan Toller
Danny Says follows punk pioneer Danny Fields from Phi Beta Kappa whiz-kid, to the Warhol Factory, to Elektra Records executive and beyond. Along the way the Zelig-like Fields works with everyone from the Doors, Lou Reed, Nico, the Stooges, and the Ramones.
Do I Sound Gay? – directed by David Thorpe
Recently dumped by his boyfriend, filmmaker David Thorpe decides to do something about sounding so sissy-but is that really a problem? A documentary about (literally) finding your voice. Includes interviews with Dan Savage, David Sedaris, and Margaret Cho.
Larry Kramer in Love and Anger – directed by Jean Carlomusto
Taking on the legendary activist and playwright Larry Kramer, this is a "warts and all" portrait of a highly controversial figure in gay America. As a political firebrand, he gave voice to the outrage and grief of a generation and at 79, still commands our attention.
OUT TO WIN – directed by Malcolm Ingram
A comprehensive portrait of gay athletes who have come out of the closet, OUT TO WIN serves as a rallying cry for greater acceptance of homosexuality in professional sports. Includes interviews with Billy Bean, Jason Collins, Billie Jean King, David Kopay, and Martina Navratilova.
THE STATE OF MARRIAGE – directed by Jeffrey Kaufman
The story of small town Vermont lawyers Susan Murray and Beth Robinson who, with Boston-based attorney Mary Bonauto (who just argued the Supreme Court case for Marriage Equality), won legal and social landmark cases that paved the way for the entire marriage equality movement.
