A French drama starring an icon of European cinema and a look at US military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy are the two films which will open Out Takes: A Reel Queer Film Festival 2011. Opening night will once again offer an option for the men and an option for the ladies. The gay film selection is The String (Le Fil), which stars Claudia Cardinale and tells the story of a young gay man who returns to Tunisia after living in France. As he processes his father's death and struggles to come out to his mother, then falls for a dreamy houseboy at his mother's estate. Cinemaqueer.com says The String's "gay love story is a familiar one but the script ... touches on relevant themes such as cultural and class divides in order to keep things interesting," adding, "it's a great date movie for those who don't hate subtitles." After picking up a swag of festival awards, A Marine Story has been chosen as the first on the menu of women's films. The US film investigates absurdity of the American military's soon to be defunct "don't ask, don't tell" policy. It features The Gymnast actress Dreya Weber who Stephen Holden from the New York Times says "anchors the movie with a gritty, honest performance that has the same to-the-bone quality as Melissa Leo's in Frozen River. There's not a false note or inflection... the film is as trusty and upstanding as its protagonist." Other films to be announced ahead of the official programme being released are For 80 Days, Sasha and Trans Francisco. Out Takes 2011: Auckland Thursday, 26 May - Queen's Birthday Monday 6 June Rialto Newmarket, Broadway Wellington Thursday 2 - Sunday 12 June Paramount, 25 Courtenay Pl
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 19th April 2011 - 1:54pm