The post Honolulu Weekly Film Review of BEYOND THE WALL appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

The post Volunteer with us at HRFF24! appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

DAVID W. ROSS!

Ross is lead actor in the film I DO and will be in attendance to the film’s screening at HRFF this year. Read his interview with Freddie Jordan from the magazine clips below:

The post Odyssey May 2013 Issue features I DO actor David W. Ross! appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

With a little under a month away from the festival, you’ll now have time to browse the program schedule and buy tickets online!

Here are two ways to view the program from the homepage:

1. From the main drop down menu: Click “2013 Film Festival”
   
2. From the slideshow: Click the image of this year’s key visual banner
   

Stay tuned for news on the print program and more updates!

And be sure to follow us on social media:
www.facebook.com/hglcf

www.twitter.com/hglcf

www.instagram.com/hglcf

The post 2013 Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival Program Schedule Now Online! appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

HRFF23 caught up with LEAD ACTOR of HRFF23 BEST FEATURE FILM: “MEN TO KISS” Frank Christian Marx in between falling in love with Hawaii.

TONIGHT, June 03 @ 7:45pm  MEN TO KISS 
Plays with HALF-SHARE (Alec Mapa)

Synopsis:  Colorful balloon dresses, long party nights in Berlin’s trendy clubs with drag queen Nina Queer and erotic evenings on the dining table – this is the chaotic relationship of the unequal couple of Ernst and Tobias

I’ve heard you’ve been traveling a lot these days… I’m not even sure where you are! Are you in Hawaii now? What country were you last in?

Yes I am in hawaii now and i´m completely overwhelmed. On my first day the festival staff took me and another filmmaker to a tour throughout the island. It was like I was holding my breath every twenty minutes when I saw something new and exciting. Like this place called “From here to eternity” where they filmed all these movies. I felt like I´ve landed in paradise. Or the ranch where they filmed the “Lost” Show or  the movie “Soul Surfer”. Some of the most beautiful places I´ve ever been to. And coming to hawaii was always one of my biggest dreams. I mean, Bette Midler grew up here and she is one of my alltime favorites.

How do you feel Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival differs from the other film festivals you’ve been to so far?
The festival is very unique. First of all it´s because it´s on this breathtaking island and you get to see all this breathtaking things. But second and much more important is that the festival itself is pretty amazing. Brent knows excactly what he´s doing and he´s working so hard to make sure that the visiting filmmakers having the time of their lifes here. Every single member of the festival is so friendly and supportive. Their warmth and their kindness and their knowledge blew me away. And the media attention that we´ll get from it is incredible. I had two interviews at a tv station and a radio station and both of them were such a wonderful experience. The third thing that striked me was meeting all of the other filmmakers and actors. Whether it was the gifted Patrik Ian Polk,  the amazing Anthony Meindl or the unbelievable charming Larisa Oleynik, we all got to know each other a little bit and became friends.  will never forget this island and I´m very sure that I´m coming back soon. And, by the way, we just won “best feature film” here, so it´s like the cherry on top of it. I know I´m sounding like I´m in a commercial or I´m doing a ” oh my god they´re all so wonderful” kind of “Movie Making of” feature, but this is my experience here and I´m very enthusiastic to talk about that.

In Men to Kiss, you play a respectable banker in his ’30s, sort of conservative. How similar are you to Earnest in real life? What’s the major difference you’ve noticed in transitioning out of one’s 20s?

Earnest is quiete different than me. I´m a very open and welcoming person; always curious and happy to experience new things and meet new people. I´m not very straight-laced also.  Whenever I thought my life is going into a very specific direction, it turned out that it´s suddelnly changing course and heading to a totally different route. I was an actor for ten year and than all of a sudden I was a producer with a lot responsibility, and a lot of stuff happened to me that I was not aware of. In contrast than Earnest in the beginning of the movie I´m up for anything. I can be man and I can be a child, I even can be a diva. But a nice and friendly One, I guess (laughing).

You know I have a very high energy and when I was in my 20´s that was not always a good thing. I was rushing myself into finding out who I am and what it was that I wanna be. I coudn´t see clearly at this time in my life. You know, I was an actor in a city with hundreds of actors who were exactly like me. I had a big city life, lots of fun, lots of sex, lots of friends and lots of missed opportunities. I totally run through my 20´s and when I finally reached 30 and I didn´t knew who I was at all.

When I realized that was a very frightening experience for me so I kind of hit the handbrake and stopped. And suddenly something wonderful happend and I saw everything from a very different angle. The making of this movie and meeting Udo, who is now one of my best friends and my production partner, was the best experience in my life. It felt so good having a whole team behind us. And I never knew before that I would ever love to lead a team. But the greatest things that this very first moviemaking experience teached me is that I love to be a leader. And now I´m so much more real and full of live as I was in my 20´s.

There’s a lot of physical humor in this film, screwball stuff that almost feels vintage. Were there any films or performances that inspired you in this role?
You know I grew up watching all these screwball comedies. “Bringing up baby” is one of my alltime favourites. The character of Earnest is a little bit like Cary Grants character. He starts of as someone who is orderly and follows rules but as soon as you pair him with a crazy person and let crazy things happen to him you can see his chaotic side too. Also I´m a big fan of physical comedy in the likes of Lucille Ball or Sandra Bullock. Udo and me had a lot of fun to bring these characters to life. I even wish my character would have more slapstick scenes, but, you know, you have to be true to your characters and Earnest is not exactly that type of a guy. You can always stretch a character but you can never break it. And to show the audience real life characters was one our biggest goals.

Men to Kiss is also somewhat of a love letter to Berlin. For those of us who’ve never been, tell us about gay life there.
Berlin is something special. It´s the most open and welcoming town I know. Once you´ve come to berlin you´re always coming back. In this city you can be whatever you want to be, dress however you want to dress and love whoever you want to love. There´s a a time and a bar for everything. We have no curfews, you can party the whole night. But also you can do all this cultural stuff. So whether you´re a party person in your 20´s or a more calm down person in your 30´s or 40´s or beyond that, you will have the fun of your life there. One special thing about berlin is you´re allowed to do everything that you´re not allowed to in other cities. You drink alcohol on the street, nobody cares if you have sex on the street or if you´re dancing naked on a parade. I think the combination of being very sexual and at the same time being very warm and welcoming is what I love the most about berlin.

So, if given the chance, anyone in the world, past or present, who are some men you’d like to kiss?Recently I would love to kiss Ryan Reynolds. Oh no, I wouldn´t kiss him, I would never let him go;-) In the past I would have kissed Rock Hudson, James Dean and Sean Connery in his “Bond” years. And right now I wanna kiss someone very special who I miss very much. Beside of that I would love to experience how the Hawaiian men kiss (laughing again).

TONIGHT, June 03 @ 7:45pm  MEN TO KISS 
HRFF23 WINNER of BEST FEATURE FILM 

Plays with HALF-SHARE (Alec Mapa)

Tix available at Doris Duke Theatre (900 Kinau Street Honolulu HI, 96814) or online.

For all ticket holders there will be a 615pm FOOD & BEVERAGE reception preceding the screening by GINIBERRIES with menu inspired by  ”MEN TO KISS.”

The post MEN TO KISS -CLOSING NIGHT FEATURE: FRANK LOVES HAWAII! appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

Sunday, June 03 @ 7:45pm HALF-SHARE
Plays with MEN TO KISS 

Synopsis: HRFF alums and favs. ALEC MAPA (Going Down in La La Land) and JESSE ARCHER (Violet Tendencies) star in this ecstatically hilarious Fire-Island based comedy.  Check your inhibitions on the mainland and hop aboard the fairy ferry to the Island of Misfit Boys!  Fire Island is like Summer Camp…with better abs!

Tell us what was it like filming “Half-Share” on Fire-Island?

Fire Island is a magical, hedonistic paradise and we had filmed at the very end of the season. The whole place felt like a bunch of naughty fun stuff had not just happened all summer but for the past 50 years.Michael Lucas loaned me his house and there was a mirror on the ceiling in my bedroom. It was fun as hell.

Your a HRFF Alumnus… How do you think the Honolulu Rainbow FF audience will receive “Half-Share”?

If the last audience I sat in was any indication I’m sure they’ll have a blast. I didn’t get the sense that anyone in Honolulu took themselves or the festival too seriously, and I loved that.

What is one of your favorite scenes in the film and why?

I loved when we filmed the good bye scene on the ferry. By the end of the week all of us had actually become very good friends and the affection we all felt for each other was pretty genuine. Of course, it could’ve just been acting on everyone else’s part….

If you had to choose Jesse Archer (“Lex”/writer/producer/co-director) or Sean Handley(writer/producer/co-director) to be stranded on a deserted islandwho would you pick and why?

Well, Sean is very attractive and smart and funny, but Jesse is indestructible. He can smoke or drink anything and still be a functioning person the next day. I think I’d pick Jesse because he’d get me fucked up all the time and he’d live longer.

Sunday, June 03 @ 7:45pm HALF-SHARE
Plays with MEN TO KISS 

The post Half Share Part 2 with Alec Mapa appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

Sunday, June 03 @ 7:45pm HALF-SHARE
Plays with MEN TO KISS 

Synopsis: HRFF alums and favs. ALEC MAPA (Going Down in La La Land) and JESSE ARCHER (Violet Tendencies) star in this ecstatically hilarious Fire-Island based comedy.  Check your inhibitions on the mainland and hop aboard the fairy ferry to the Island of Misfit Boys!  Fire Island is like Summer Camp…with better abs!

How accurate of a portrayal would you say Half-Share is of Fire Island life?

Jesse Archer: Depending on the house, it’s not that exaggerated. Drop a bunch of gay boys together on an island with few restrictions and no inhibitions and poof! Glitterbomb.

How did the cast and crew stay focused while shooting?

JA: We mainly stayed focused trying to keep the drag queen, Anita Private, alive.

Are any of the actors purposely drunk in any of the scenes?

JA: We passed around a bottle of Patron with a straw in it during the dinner scene. It was our last scene of the shoot and we got plastered enough to film a promo piece afterward where Jack Plotnick directed us in singing the theme song to Laverne & Shirley!

Which character is most like you and why?

JA and SH: The character I play – Lex. He’s outrageous, mischievous, and superficial at first glance. Also, I really am a Blouse.

We’re asking Alec Mapa to share a few funny moments of filming and working with the two of you.  What do you think he will say? =)

JA  & SH: It was very cold as we had to shoot out of season and Alec still had to dress as if it were blazing hot summer. I wager he’ll say he rather enjoyed catching pneumonia with us.

Who got more drunk… the actors or the crew?

JA & SH: The crew. A gaggle of young, cute straight guys on an island filled with male predators – they learned how to drink and fast. Hey, that could be the next installment!

What was it like shooting on location?  What were some of the challenges?

Sean Hanley: Besides the endless rain, cold temperatures, and shivering actors, it was a dream come true!  There were challenges galore shooting an indie script on an island with no cars, but I think the biggest logistical nightmare fell upon our caterer’s shoulders because she had a $1000 budget to feed three square meals a day with to thirty gay men with dietary restrictions on an island without a supermarket!  Lugging the lighting equipment from set-to-set across the island in wheelbarrows was right up there on the list of things I can cross off my bucket list.

Did anyone show up to set hung-over or still drunk?
SH: Was anyone ever sober?  Honestly I don’t really remember.  I must have blacked it out…

Is there a sequel or series written? What more can we expect?
SH: We put together a few episode ideas for the first season, but until a network gets behind the show it’s a bit premature to start writing (i.e. we’re lazy).  The good news is that we are currently in discussions with two different networks, so hopefully down the line you will get to see more High Tea hi-jinx!

How did the cast and crew stay focused while shooting?
JA: Ritalin.  Oh sorry, that question was for Jesse.

Which character is most like you and why?
JA and SH: Mac was most like me, until we decided to butch him up for dramatic purposes.  The story was loosely based on my first summer on Fire Island right after ending a fourteen year relationship.  I was *shocked* by most everything I saw out there and my housemates would constantly apologize for my behavior and explain to island veterans that I had been a “home schooled gay”.

Who got more drunk… the actors or the crew?
JA & SH: Off camera, the crew.  On camera, definitely the actors.

We’re asking Alec Mapa to share a few funny moments of filming and working with the two of you.  What do you think he will say?

JA  & SH: I think Alec’s most memorable moments from the shoot probably happened after we wrapped each day, as he was shacking up at Michael Lucas’ house in The Pines.  And yes, I’m talking about that Michael Lucas.

**CHECK OUT PART 2 of the HALF-SHARE INTERVIEW with celebrity ALEC MAPA**

Sunday, June 03 @ 7:45pm HALF-SHARE
Plays with MEN TO KISS 

The post CLOSING NIGHT Comedy Short: HALF-SHARE Part 1 appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

Saturday, June 2 @ 5:15pm FRUIT PUNCH! FILM SHORTS
Plays with: QUEEN, MY NIGHT WITH ANDREW CUNANAN, THE MAIN EVENT IN AMERICA, SLANT

Synopsis:  The Glades Project (Work in Progress) reveals an integral part of Hawaii’s culture with very-rare-film footage and performances from the 1960s-70s on the LEGENDARY Glade Show Lounge multi-tiered show-stage located in the heart of Honolulu’s Old Chinatown at 152 N. Hotel Street, which at the time was the red light district.  This is a celebrated group of local Mahus, where genders were blurred and ordinary boys became beautiful girls.

Where and how did you collect such great historical videos and photos for this film? 

Film clips and some photos are from our very own Bishop Museum Archives and DeSoto Brown.  An archive of almost 7,000 photos are from the Glade Show Lounge girls and boys through extensive research from Hawaii to NYC.   San Francisco LGBT Archives and State Library were amazing in assistance and literally weeks and weeks of research.  Our very own LGBT Center had the most extensive Library that really gave me a foundation to start.

Why should gay and straight audiences come to see The Glades Project (wip)?

The Glades Project is about our community, our ‘ohana and the changes that occurred after Hawaii statehood with new laws through our legislature.  That very law enacted after three front-page articles in our newspapers.  How a community inclusive of Families, Tourists and military enjoyed coming to the performances by the busloads to see the ‘Boys will be Girls” show….and the change that happened after the “I AM A BOY” button was required by law to be worn as a mahu or drag queen.

What has been one of your favorite stories through your interviews and why?  

Lindsey Lau, AKA Isadora Sei of the House of Sei.  The life that Lindsey lived has been truly remarkable.  As a performer on stage at the Glade Show Lounge, to a queen mother, to a civil rights activist (when she didn’t know a label existed!) for Mahu rights for housing, education and jobs.  As Isadora’s would say, ‘It is the right for any human being to have the same opportunities as any one else…I am standing up to do the right thing’.   There are many amazing interviews and each has been a journey of life.  Honestly they are all amazing and resilient, from Prince Hanalei stories Jack Cione stories and more.  All gave their stories for the first time on camera and all life has to offer, one day at a time.

Do you think “mahu” is still seen a derogatory term?  Why or why not?

Mahu term is a Hawaiian word that has finally come back to it’s true meaning with aloha.  After those years during the 60s-70s of the “I AM A BOY” button and the “Intent to deceive” law, and so many murders and brutal beatings and hate crimes….yes, we as a society has come a long way.   I remember the Mahu joke as a child during the late 60s in Hilo.

Knock, knock.  Whose there?  Me-ma.  Me-mahu!

I honestly never knew at the age of 8 or 9 years old what it mean’t to by saying that joke.  Only that I never wanted to be Mahu cause they worked the streets on Mamo Street downtown and were living on the beach as well.

So have we come along way?  Absolutely YES.  Is it still used derogatorily?  Sometimes, but no where close to what it use to be during the 60s 70s 80s.  Mahus today are Lawyers, government positions, doctors, scientists, professors, kumus, parents, executive directors, CEOs, etc.  Mahu, mahu wahine, transgendered are all very fluid currently.

The term Mahu has fluidity in the very character of a person.  The essence and meaning is the root understanding of a persons character as we know today.

Since this is a work in progress, what other content can people look forward to in the world premiere version?

The heartbeat of the stories and those that survived it from their own words.  We are still looking for film, movie clips of old Glade Show Lounge and the exteriors with the girls.  Finishing funds are being sought through a KickStarter Crowdfunding Campaign this summer beginning June 2012.

Do you think the “Glades Show Lounge” could be successful in this current time in Hawaii?  Why or why not?

Yes and No.  Yes because we will always have Mahus and drag queens that love to perform and the show then was a variety show in the beginning much like the Ed Sullivan Variety Show.

Will we ever have another Prince Hanalei?  That pretty much answers your questions.  The Glade Show Lounge was a time that will be Golden in our hearts and spirits and remembered forever in memories and dreams

The post Prince Hanalei — Hawaii’s Glades Show Lounge Documentary appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

Sunday, June 02 @ 8pm STRIP
Plays with AUGUST

Synopsis:  Brent, a recently divorced businessman in Las Vegas visits a straight nightclub, and he gets more than he gambled for when he meets blonde siren Brandi.  After hitting it off  -and several drinks later – Brandi invites Brent to her hotel suite.

Tell us why your film is titled “Strip”?

It’s a metaphor that works on several levels.  The film is set in Las Vegas so there’s the famous Strip there, where all the hotels and casinos are.  And there are a lot of strip clubs in Vegas, so we built that motif in there, along with an actual striptease that furthers the plot.  But it’s really about this character discovering who he is — and stripping off his mask, or layers of protection — and taking the biggest risk of his life.

There is no trailer for “Strip”so festival goers will need to go to the screening to see the steam and heat that is “Strip.”  What can you tease our followers with what they will be seeing in your film.

Well, STRIP, I have been told by people who have seen the film, is a “surprising story.”  It takes the viewer on a journey that is very revealing and sexual.  Several male audience members have told me the sex scene aroused them.  That made me happy.

What have you learned about directing a “progressive” threesome love scene?

I have learned that it is a real challenge!  The first thing a director has to do is make all the actors feel comfortable; they have to trust you or they will appear self-conscious.  Rehearsing fully clothed first, and then blocking well, help with that.  I also learned that, in terms of coverage, get as much of it as you can:  reaction shots, 2-shots, 3-shots.  I was also surprised at how I wanted to focus on each actor’s reactions, when I went into the shoot envisioning I would just focus on the lead actor’s.  You have to picture the end result, the edited film, and how the viewer can truly feel a part of the sexiest action of your film.

What was the hardest thing about shooting “Strip”?

Aside from feeling like you always need more production time – because you want more coverage – the hardest thing about shooting STRIP was a scene that ended up on the cutting room floor.  It was the first scene we shot and it involved the lead character and his two male best friends.  It read well on paper, but when we shot it, it just wasn’t coming across.  I wasn’t directing it well.  When I got into the editing room I realized I had a big problem.  And because it was the first scene in the film, I rewrote it to what it is now:  a short scene with the lead character’s wife, providing much-needed backstory to the rest of the film.

What was it like to premiere at the Palm Springs Int’l  FF? How was the film received?

It was an incredible experience because it is one of a handful of Oscar-qualifying festivals for short films.  I thought, at first, that we would be a gay film in the midst of non-gay content.  And that excited me; I think it’s important for non-gay audiences to see gay films.  But the laugh was on me as we were programmed into the most popular gay short films program of the week!  The house was sold out (probably about 500 seats) and the film was received very well.  It was after this screening men told me the sex scene “got them hard.”

Devon Odessa (My So Called Life- Sharon Cherski) stars in “Strip.”  How did she get involved and what was it like to work with her?

Our executive producer and lead actor, Scott Strassner, had worked with her over the years and he suggested she might be perfect to play Brandi.  So he connected the two of us and I met with her.  At first I wasn’t sure.  I envisioned the Brandi character a little younger.  But she convinced me.  She said, “I know how to play this character.  If I were still in my twenties, I couldn’t make these choices.  I wouldn’t know what they meant.”  Scott’s suggestion and Devon’s perspective were right on target.  It was a joy to work with her.  She’s a consummate professional and has this absolutely wonderful, natural quality I know audiences connect with when they see STRIP.  She doesn’t just play the role; she makes you feel that she really is Brandi.

How do you think the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival audience will react to watching “Strip”?

Well, I think they will be intrigued, surprised and ultimately satisfied.  It’s a film that asks the question:  Who do you really want to be?  Who are you, really?  And, hopefully, viewers will also like that little sex scene you keep asking me about!

What is the strangest/most interesting question you’ve gotten in a Q&A thus far for “Strip”?

It’s either, “What inspired you to write STRIP?” or ”Were the actors really naked when you shot the sex scene?”

Sunday, June 2 @ 8pm STRIP
Plays with AUGUST

The post Strip at the Doris Duke Theatre! appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.

Best Short Film
THE MAN THAT GOT AWAY

Phred Love Award- Hawaii Filmmaker
KEO WOOLFORD “LUNCTHIME”

Jack Law Award – Awarded to the person best embodying the HGLCF’s mission
GINA CURUSO

 Rainbow Award – Awarded to the film that intermixes the LGBTQ culture and introduce a new audience to the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival
BIRDS OF A  FEATHER

Adam Baran Award – Awarded to the LGBTQI Filmmaker that has excellend in his/her career in the film industry
PATRIK-IAN POLK

Best Documentary Film
NO LOOK PASS

Best Feature Film
MEN TO KISS

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS!  Award photos coming soon.
Tickets still available for final 2 days of our 23rd Annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.
We hope to see you here!
http://hrff.festpro.com/schedule/

http://hrff.festpro.com/films/ 

The post 23rd Annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival AWARDS Announced!!! appeared first on Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival.