Portland Queer Film Festival Opens at Cinema 21

Monday, September 28, 2015

Briauna Skye McKizzie, GoLocalPDX Contributor

On Wednesday, October 7th, the “Centerpiece Screening” of “Freeheld” will take place. Photo Credit: PDXQueerFilm's Website (Image Cropped)

On Friday, October 2nd, the Portland Queer Film Festival, held at Cinema 21, kicks off its annual celebration of queer films.

From documentaries to features to short films, the film festival offers poignant stories told from around the world.

On Friday, the festival’s opening night, there will be a screening of "Eisenstein in Guanajuato.” Directed by the celebrated Peter Greenaway (“The Cook,” “the Thief,” “His Wife & Her Lover,” “Pillow Book”), "Eisenstein in Guanajuato" tells the story of filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein's trip to Mexico that he made in 1930.

During the film, Eisenstein takes both a physical and metaphysical journey, and his experiences are portrayed in such a way that made one Rotten Tomatoes critic write, “Greenaway has wrought an outrageously unconventional and deliriously profane biopic that could take decades to be duly appreciated.”

For anyone who appreciates cinema history and unconventional art, “Eisenstein in Guanajuato” is a must-see.

Following the screening, there will also be a reception featuring Mexican cuisine, drinks, music, and chance to mix and mingle with fellow film lovers.

After the initial kick-off on Friday, the festival hits the ground running with short films, works in progress, documentaries, feature-length films, and a Web Series Workshop.

Additionally, on Wednesday, October 7th, the “Centerpiece Screening” of “Freeheld” will take place. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion about equity in the City of Portland. The panel will feature Portland Police Officer Katie Potter, President of Oregon AFL-CIO Tom Chamberlain and former Mayor Tom Potter among others with the participation of the Mayors’s office, DEEP (Diverse and Empowered Employees of Portland) and the Office of Equity and Human Rights.

Other film titles, that you can read about here, are “Millionaire Man,” “In the Turn,” “In With the New Out,” “Fourth Man Out,” “Deep Run,” “Boy Meets Girl,” “S&M Sally,” “Guidance,” “Two 4 One,” “Stories of Our Lives,” “While You Weren’t Looking,” “Upstairs Inferno,” and “Those People.”

After many nights of quality films and experiences, the festival will end with a screening of the documentary “Out to Win.” Featuring a variety of personal stories, “Out to Win” takes a look at the lives of queer athletes. As a special treat, Billy Bean and Conner Mertens, who are both featured in the documentary, will be in attendance.

To purchases daily passes or full festival passes, please click here.

Portland Queer Film Festival, all screenings occur at Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st Ave. Friday October 2nd, through Thursday, October 8th.

Homepage Photo Credit: PDXQueerFilm's Facebook