Opening Night Gala:
LA MISSION
We are extremely proud to open Outfest 2009 with LA MISSION, writer-director Peter Bratt's rich and powerful story of a man's journey toward redemption and his struggle with violence and homophobia.
Peter Bratt trains an affectionate eye on the titular neighborhood, capturing both its joyous spirit and its harsh reality. Vibrant production design, an R&B soundtrack and colorful scenes of lowrider cruising accentuate Bratt's skillful storytelling. The talented cast shines, and in one of his most impressive performances to date, Benjamin Bratt complexly reveals the searing pain and humanity beneath Che's macho veneer. A story from the heart, LA MISSION is about the unrelenting power of love, family and community - that ultimately calls for change.
Thursday | July 9 | 8:00pm | Orpheum Theatre
The Outfest 2009 Opening Night Gala After-Party
Outfest’s renowned Opening Night Gala is moving! Welcome to premiere nightspot Club 740, which has transformed the historic Globe Theater into a three-story nightclub bursting with excitement and classic style.
See and be seen on the scene as you explore Club 740. Pop, lock and boogie down on the breathtaking dance floor, which features state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Then sashay up to the second-story lounge to catch your breath and check out the cuties through the massive glass walls. You could even venture down to the plush lower level for fun and games amid the textured, sparkly ambiance.
But wait – it gets better! Hungry? Don’t worry baby, Outfest has paired with dineLA to offer a delicious tasting menu of snacks and treats from some of Los Angeles’ best new restaurants. Thirsty? We got you covered sugar, literally, with complimentary Absolut cocktails and Stella Artois until midnight. There will also be a cash bars featuring a selection of premium liquor, beer and wine.
Enjoy all this and more at the Outfest 2009 Opening Night Gala After-Party at Club 740. Start getting ready for what will be a night of outrageous fun!
dineLA tastes: Angeli Cafe • Barn Burner Texas Barbeque • Casablanca Restaurant • Fresh Food Café • Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop • Ivan Kane’s Café Was • Locali Conscience Convenience • Le Grande Orange • Maria’s Italian Kitchen Downtown • Pane e Vino Trattoria • Royal/T Café • Tender Greens • The Abbey Food & Bar • The Bistro at Chamberlain West Hollywood • The Must • Tiarra Café
Platinum Centerpiece: FIG TREES
Masterfully constructed and visually riveting, FIG TREES is an entertaining yet searing indictment of government negligence and the greed of pharmaceutical companies that require profit as motivation to save lives. It is also a poignant memorial for the untold lives of many AIDS activists. A daring must-see, it is one of the most provocative films to emerge from queer cinema in recent years.
Friday | July 10 | 7:00pm | REDCAT
Legacy Project Gala: CHOOSING CHILDREN
One of the first movies about lesbian families, CHOOSING CHILDREN is an emotionally potent film that challenges society's definition of family by exploring the ways lesbians are raising children in couples, alone, with gay men and in extended families of friends.
Since the passing of Proposition 8 in California and similar bans against LGBT marriages and adoptions across the United States, illustrations of healthy LGBT families are crucial in breaking down stereotypes and ensuring the civil liberties of all families. CHOOSING CHILDREN began the fight against xenophobia and homophobia in 1984, but its work is not yet complete.
Monday | July 13 | 8:00pm | DGA
U.S. Dramatic Centerpiece: MISSISSIPPI DAMNED
Alternately steeped in joy and despair, MISSISSIPPI DAMNED is a stark chronicle of the bravery inherent in hopelessness. In fact, writer/director Tina Mabry's remarkably assured debut remains relentlessly uplifting even as it tracks the monumental struggles of an African-American family sunk into a quagmire of addiction, poverty and abuse. As the years pass and the disappointments mount, the characters still summon the courage to dream.
Tuesday | July 14 | 8:00pm | DGA
International Centerpiece: EL NINO PEZ (THE FISH CHILD)
Writer-director Lucía Puenzo won awards - including two prizes at Cannes - and critical acclaim all over the world for XXY, and now the Argentine filmmaker returns with a lesbian romance that's also a Chabrol-esque mystery thriller and a scathing examination of class differences in the South American nation.
Wednesday | July 15 | 7:15pm | DGA
Closing Night Gala: DARE
Based on their award-winning short film, writer David Brind and director Adam Salky return to Outfest with DARE, a stunning debut feature that poetically captures the confusion, longing, thrill and lust of teenage life.
Sunday | July 19 | 8:00pm | Ford