Big Reels Keep on Rolling for Gay and Lesbian Movies

Big Reels Keep on Rolling for Gay and Lesbian Movies
Cinema Paradiso Continues to Salute the Best of Gay Film
By Ian Drew
Cinema Paradiso will continue to
showcase gay and lesbian films throughout
the month of May.
The art-house cinema, which plays host
to the Express Monthly Gay Film Nights
and the Fort Lauderdale International Film
Festival, has a number of gay films in their
schedule that are of particular interest to the
gay community.
“We are trying to branch out to the many
different audiences in Fort Lauderdale,”
remarked Gregory von Hausch, the Executive
Director of Cinema Paradiso and the FLIFF.
“We’ve found that the gay and lesbian market
really appreciates what we’re trying to do at
the Cinema by screening films that are not
shown anywhere else.”
On Monday, May 6, Broward
audiences will get a chance to see Daddy &
Papa, a film that will first have its Florida
premiere at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film
Festival on Saturday, May 4.
Directed by Johnny Symons, the film
takes a personal look at the growing number
of gay men who choose to become fathers
in America. Symon will be on hand for the
special screening.
Two other films are also scheduled,
though dates and times have yet to be
announced.
Food of Love, directed by Regie
Ventura Pons, tells the story of a talented
music student who deals with loneliness
during a holiday trip to Barcelona with his
mother.
Mike Esser’s Where the Boys Are takes
a sexy look at the hijinks of a group of
British boys on a trip abroad.
“Many times, the gay films we show
are dictated by product availability and
recommendations from film critics around
the country and other important film
festivals,” says von Hausch. ”We hope to
continue to bring interesting, sexy and
heartwarming films to our screen.”
Built in 1926 as the First
Methodist Church and
renovated in 1986 as the
Vinnette Carroll Theatre,
Cinema Paradiso opened
officially in January 2001 as
the year-round home of the
Fort
Lauderdale
International Film Festival.
The theater is located in
the heart of downtown Fort
Lauderdale at 503 SE 6th St,
on the south side of the New
River and one block east of
the Broward County
Courthouse.
The Cinema is opened
seven days a week, featuring independent
films from around the world, with many
enjoying their U.S. premiere.
For more information, visit
www.fliff.com/now_playing.html, or call
954.525.FILM.
Built in 1926 as the First Methodist
Church, renovated in 1986 as a theatre,
Cinema Paradiso opened in January 2001
as the year-round arthouse of the Fort
Lauderdale International Film Festival
GLSEN Agreement to be Reconsidered by Broward County School Board
(continued from front page)
protects all kids from a hostile
environment.”
GLSEN has already gathered support
from such organizations as the AntiDefamation League, the National
Organization for Women, the Broward
County Human Rights Board and the
Broward County Council of PTAs.
If the board finally agrees to pass the
partnership, GLSEN could officially
continue their efforts to teach anti-
discrimination techniques to school
employees.
The biggest effort mounted by
GLSEN occurred at the same time that the
agreement was shot down. A teacher
training video was shown on a mandatory
basis at that time to all teachers and
guidance counselors throughout the
school system.
The revised partnership agreement
that will go in front of the school board
this time removes wording implying that
GLSEN would teach, train or interact with
students, a point of confusion that many
blame for the prior refusal.
The issue is coming up at a time at a
time when five board members are seeking
reelection. Four of those members
previously opposed the agreement.
The meeting will commence at 1 pm in
the boardroom of the KC Wright
Administration Building, located at 600 SE
Fourth Ave, in Fort Lauderdale.
The issue has been given “time certain”
agenda status at 3 pm, meaning it will be
discussed at that time regardless of other
items that might be on the floor.
“If this partnership agreement is
passed, it will mean we can truly partner
with the school system to provide
professional development opportunities
for teachers throughout the district,” says
Record. “We can give information on how
to recognize and interrupt instances of
harassment, name-calling, discrimination
and bullying that no student should face.”
www.ExpressGayNews.com • April 22, 2002
CYMK
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