A documentary and forum on gay marriage have places in the spotlight as Tampa's gay and lesbian film event draws to a close.
By STEVE PERSALL
Published October 14, 2004
Tying the Knot, a documentary examining gay marriage, is a highlight of the closing-weekend events at the 15th annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
Two of those featured in the film are Tampa police officers Lois Marrero and Mickie Mashburn. Mashburn, Marrero's longtime partner, was denied death benefits after Marrero was killed in the line of duty. Tying the Knot will be shown at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Tampa Theatre.
Mashburn is expected to participate in a 7 p.m. forum titled "1,600 Reasons Why Marriage Matters."
In addition, the festival offers music, parties and a variety of cinematic perspectives on the loves of homosexuals, lesbians and transgender people.
Today's Tampa Theatre events begin at 6:30 p.m. with a choral performance by No More Silence, followed at 7 by the French drama Clara's Summer, in which a trip to wilderness camp becomes a sexual awakening for a teenage girl. At 9, Florida filmmaker Dean Howell presents his film Nine Lives, an ensemble drama in the style of Robert Altman's Short Cuts, starring Dennis Christopher and Mad TV's Debra Wilson.
Sunrise Cinemas in Old Hyde Park Village will present Proteus (7 p.m.), based on the true story of a South African sodomy trial in 1735. On Friday, Sunrise Cinemas concludes its participation in the festival with a 7:30 screening of Wild Side.
Friday's schedule at the Tampa Theatre begins at 5:30 p.m. with Mango Kiss, followed by one of the festival's centerpiece works, Girl Play, directed by Lee Friedlander, who will introduce the film. Una Voce will present a choral performance at 9:15, followed by the movies You I Love (9:45) and Superstar in a Housedress (11:45). All evening screenings include a short subject.
Saturday's slate includes a collection of lesbian-themed short films (11:30 a.m.), a 6:30 p.m. concert by Crescendo, the Tampa Bay Women's Chorus, and the workshop on gay marriage. Films include Tying the Knot (8), Round Trip (4), The Graffiti Artist (1:45) and Eating Out (10).
Closing day events Sunday begin with a screening of the AIDS-related drama Longtime Companion at 1 p.m., followed by a workshop on the disease at 3:15. Tony Scott's lesbian vampire film The Hunger will be shown at 4. A reception will begin at 6 on the Franklin Street Mall before the festival's final film, Tennyson Bardwell's comedy Dorian Blues.
AT A GLANCE
The 15th annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, today through Sunday at Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., and today and Friday at Sunrise Cinemas, 1609 W Swann Ave., Old Hyde Park Village. Tickets are $8.50 per film program, available at the box offices. www.tiglff.com 813 274-8286.
