The Blog Movie Junket

Flow Affair - celebrity fundraiser

2010-03-14T06:23:00.000-07:00

Website Launch Party and Fundraiser featuring Tony Award-winner MELBA MOORE and #1 R&B singer MELI'SA MORGAN

To celebrate the near-completion of Flow Affair, the new documentary to be released by Art From The Heart Films, the award-winning director Wolfgang Busch is hosting a Website Launch Party and fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 23, 2010 at the LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street, New York, NY. The suggested donation is $20.

Flow Affair explores the evolution of dance by showcasing the emergence of "Floguing" – a breakthrough in dance that has only now begun to show up at underground circuit parties and dance clubs, and in innovative dance choreography.

VANISHING NEW YORK promo

2009-10-03T06:59:00.001-07:00

Save New York City from its leaders.

Do you think Michael Bloomberg can help us save
Vanishing New York ?

Vanishing New York is a documentary-in-progress about the luxury development that is changing our city, pricing out artists, small businesses and even the middle class. The film explores why this is happening now and at such a rapid pace. It is both an indictment of current city policies and the story of how people are fighting to stop these changes. If you would like to help us finish the film, go to www.vanishingny.org to see how you can make a tax-deductible donation.

NYC Mayoral Film to screen before Primary

2009-08-31T16:07:00.000-07:00

The
Film
You
Must
See
This
Election
Year !

The Promise of New York is an award-winning documentary that follows the entertaining antics of three underdogs who try to unseat billionaire mayor Michael Bloomberg during the 2005 mayoral election. Featuring: Michael Bloomberg, Ed Koch, Christopher Brodeur, Jessica Delfino, Seth Blum, Andy Horwitz, and Chris Riggs.

Upcoming Screening Dates:

* Tuesday Sept. 8, 8PM; Monkey Town; $10/$10 Minimum
58 N 3rd ST, Brooklyn, NY ; 718.384.1369
Reservations highly recommended. Click here for Tickets or Information.

* Friday Sept. 11 & Saturday Sept. 12, 9PM; Dixon Place; $10
161 Chrystie ST, New York, NY
(212) 219-0736; www.dixonplace.org
Click here for Sept. 11 Tickets.
Click here for Sept. 12 Tickets.

From the publicity materials :

"A blogger turned stand-up comic, an obsessive political gadfly and a high-school math teacher compete against each other and arch rival incumbent Michael Bloomberg for the post of New York City mayor. As these ordinary citizens take politics into their own hands, The Promise of New York explores the meaning of democracy and the identity of a city with hilarious irreverence and thought-provoking sensitivity."

OutProfessionals and the Jewish Community Center sponsor screening of HOW DO I LOOK

2009-03-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

Rare Dancing Performance by Voguing Legends

More than 10 years in the making, How Do I Look offers an intimate look inside the Balls. Downtown stars Kevin Aviance, Michael Musto and Patricia Field also dish about the scene. You'll also get the inside dirt on members of 'Houses' whose talents led them to work with superstars like Madonna, Queen Latifah, India, and fashion designer Thierry Mugler. Dancer and choreographer Jose Xtravaganza's tales of working with Madonna on the Vogue and Truth or Dare videos are especially priceless.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. Special live performance by the House of Ninja begins at 6:30PM.

The screening will take place at the Goldman-Sonnenfeldt Auditorium of the JCC in Manhattan at 334 Amsterdam Avenue (at West 76th Street). Attendees must present photo ID to be admitted to the building. By Subway: 2, 3, or 9 to 72nd Street; by Bus: M7 or M11 to West 75th Street. Admission: Non-members, $10. OP or JCC Members, just $5.

Gay Documentary gains ground among straight, Black film festivals

2009-01-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

2009 San Diego Black Film Festival

How Do I Look, the award-winning documentary about the gay Harlem Ballroom scene and the origins of the voguing dance style, will be screened on January 31 at the 2009 San Diego Black Film Festival. This notable selection continues the documentary’s trend in being programmed at ever-increasing numbers of straight and African-American film festivals.

How Do I Look has previous been selected by the 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival in New York, the 23rd Black International Cinema Film/Video Festival in Berlin, and the Tenth Anniversary Africa in the Picture Film Festival in Amsterdam.

Please visit the list of other official selections of the 2009 San Diego Black Film Festival for information about the best new films about the African American and African Diaspora experience.

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Film soundrack: one musician's experience

2008-12-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

Robert Urban answers our questions about contributing music to films

Robert Urban, a New York based musician and songwriter, who is also known for producing musical events and concerts, answered some of our questions about allowing filmmakers make use of his music in films.

Q. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. You have worked on several film projects. Tell me a little bit about that. You have contributed music to some films? Have you also done some music editing?

A. One upcoming film genre for which I’ve composed music for is gay horror flicks. “What is that?” you say? Well – is basically the same silly fun as straight horror flicks, except the cute dumb girl that goes down in the cellar alone when everyone in the audience knows there’s a psychokiller down there – is instead a cute dumb gay guy. I’ve created soundtracks for such gay slasher film fluff as Dead Guy, Das Haus, Zombies and Camp Daze.

I’ve also provided music for Michigan Pride’s documentary Pride Through the Years – 15 years of Pride Fests; the gay coming out film Paradise Attempted; and the gay-related Ticket to Freedom biopic about gay man who made the Woodstock Festival possible.

Q. When you first started working as a musician, did you think your music would end up being used in films?

A. Never in a million years! Though now I realize there was a reason that as a little kid, I was so glued to old flick reruns on the TV of King Kong, Shanghai Express and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I loved the soundtracks to golden age Hollywood films – I hummed them as a kid and I still do today.

Q. In 2005, you won a Stonewall Society Pride in the Arts Film Arts Award. What was that award for ?

A. That was for sound-editing – I believe was for one of more of the gay horror flicks. It may have been for How Do I Look. I actually can’t recall.

Q. As a musician, you get to compose your own music, write your own lyrics. What is the process like when you turn over the use and editing of your song over to a filmmaker?

A. It’s like I’m the surrogate mother whose been paid to have a baby – but has to turn the kid over to someone who’s gonna have their own way with it. It’s a cauldron of conflicting emotions and always drives me nuts. But over the years one gets used to it – knowing that one’s offspring is going to be cut up and used in all kinds of odd ways.

But sometimes the end result is tasteful and even surprising in a good way. There are also many instances where I watch a scene and can compose music specifically to match every move and emotion on the screen. That is very exciting and rewarding.

Q. Because How Do I Look was a community empowerment project, Wolfgang used a series of "work-in-progress" screenings in order to create transparency and to build a concensus of support among the Ballroom community and the LGBT community for his documentary. How unusual was it for a filmmaker to open up an "evolving" documentary to the input/feedback/criticism of a lot of people in the community?

A. Having been witness to the “work-in-progress” screenings, I can tell you it’s an EXTREMELY unusual thing to do – especially given the varying temperaments of the “stars” of the film, and how everyone has their own STRONG opinion on gay political correctness, etc. ( I call them the “outer-than-thou” crowd). But all-in-all, I believe everyone knew that this was a pure labor of love on Wolfgang’s part. It was very generous of Wolfgang to do this. I don’t know if I could have done it that way if it was my film.

Q. You have a working relationship with MTV/Logo. How helpful is it to have contacts in the industry to a musician or a filmmaker?

A. Actually, as a contributing writer to Logo’s arts and entertainment magazines, I endeavored at all times to be neutral when doing reviews, interviews and feature articles. I would turn down assignments if I otherwise was too professionally involved with the subject or subject matter.

In my life I’ve never been that into “schmoozing” for my musical career. That kind of thing is better left to agents and management types. I’ve been fortunate in that most of the film soundtrack work I’ve gotten is because someone simply heard my music and liked it.

Some gay writers write only positively about gay arts & culture. I found myself to be more critical, when my conscience dictated, of LGBT films, music, books, theater, television shows, etc than most gay media writers I know of. I think the gay establishment is now “established” enough to allow for some criticism from within its own ranks when criticism is merited.

Q. Do you have any advice for people who are interested in music and the use of music in filmmaking?

A. In these current times – when anyone with a computer can make music and films – and when there are an infinite number of musical acts out there – so many, in fact, that the music industry is imploding about us and no one is buying cds anymore – YOU GOTTA REALLY LUV DOING THIS!

The fine line to walk is actually the fine line of being able to be both an original singer/songwriter/composer of integrity and social conscience AND a successful commercial composer at the same time. The two are often not very friendly bedfellows.

In addition to his own 4 CDs (the album "godless" is available on Amazon.com), Robert Urban's work (especially as guitarist) can be heard on the recordings of many other musical artists. Mr. Urban is also an accompanist, session-musician, arranger/sound engineer and private music teacher. He supports the GLBT music community through producing/hosting Urban Productions BOLDLY Presents, the all-GLBT multi-artist live-in-concert music series (now in its 6th year). Robert is the author of a poetry collection Abominations and founder of Gay Guitarists Worldwide.

For the first part of our exclusive interview with the musician and songwriter, Robert Urban, please visit the Dance on the Runway blog.

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Website set up to find missing sister

2008-11-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

*MISSING SISTER*

Sima Reablo

Sima Reablo, a resident of Queens, New York, has gone missing. Her sister believes a neighbor might be responsible.

Independent filmmaker Steven Arvanites is reportedly looking into this horror story.

Details are emerging that indicate that Miss Reablo was being watched, that someone was picking through her garbage for “treasures,” and, most disturbingly, that some some was creating a deadly fantasy life that had nothing to do with reality.

As with anything that happens outside of Manhattan, the compelling story of Miss Reablo, which is set in Queens, is yearning for attention.

Look for interest to develop among film festivals. If you hear anything about Miss Reablo's whereabouts, please keep us updated.

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Activist Filmmakers meet at Out Professionals Event

2008-09-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

'After Stonewall' screening

Out Professionals recently organized a public screening of the landmark documentary, After Stonewall, which was followed by a presentation by documentary filmmaker, John Scagliotti.

Mr. Scagliotti is the award-winning gay filmmaker/journalist, who also created the PBS series In the Life. After Stonewall is narrated by Melissa Etheridge; the film is a fascinating look at women and men who helped shape what gay America looks like -- and how the world sees us.

Pictured below (left to right) are Mr. Scagliotti and the openly-gay filmmaker and activist Wolfgang Busch. The latter, who is also an Out Professionals member, is the film series coordinator for Out Professionals.

Out Professionals is the nation's leading gay and lesbian professional and social network. OP offers workshops, seminars, celebrity lectures, and informal socializing. For more information, please visit the official website for Out Professionals.

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'How Do I Look' wins award at 23rd Black International Cinema Film/Video Festival in Berlin

2008-08-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

The 23rd Black International Cinema Film/Video Festival has recognized the documentary How Do I Look with an award in the category of "Best Film/Video on matters relating to the Black Experience/Marginalized People."

The Black International Cinema Film/Video Festival screens "cinema from Africa, the African Diaspora and other films from varied intercultural backgrounds or perspectives."

How Do I Look, directed by Wolfgang Busch, is about the creative and inspirational Ballroom community of New York City.

For more information about this film, please visit the offical site for www.HowDoILookNYC.org.

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Voguing at Anthology Film Archives

2008-06-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

Live dance act opens screening of 'How Do I Look'

The NYC Gay Pride 2008 week screening of the documentary How Do I Look opened with a unique dance performance by the House of Ninja. The screening was held at the Anthology Film Archives, as part of its NewFilmmakers NY Screening Series.

The live mixed-media performance featured voguing and a special video tribute to the late Willi Ninja, choreographer, style coach, and founder of the House of Ninja.

The House of Ninja is a legendary house, which is part of the Harlem Ballroom community. The underground subculture of the house system promotes the use of dance, performance, fashion, and style to promote self achievement and accomplishment. Many pop culture trends found their beginnings at Harlem Balls. The documentary How Do I Look is about these balls.

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'How Do I Look' selected for NewFilmmakers NY Screening Series

2008-05-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

Screening will coincide with NYC’s Gay Pride 2008

The award-winning documentary How Do I Look will be screened at the NewFilmmakers NY Screening Series at the Anthology Film Archives in New York on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 -- in the middle of New York City’s Gay Pride 2008. The evening is dedicated to gay and lesbian films.

How Do I Look, by the award-winning director Wolfgang Busch, continues to break new ground. The success of How Do I Look at gay and straight film festivals around the world is being recognized by the selection by the NewFilmmakers NY Film Festival. In making its selection, NewFilmmakers NY is also acknowledging the director and openly gay artistic and social activist Wolfgang Busch as one of the best new directors in the United States.

About the screening

On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, How Do I Look will be screened at 10:45 pm at the Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue (at 2nd Street), New York, NY 10003. Schedule hotline: (212) 505-5181. Prior to the screening, Busch has organized a special 6 minute live performance by the House of Ninja, a famous group of dancers and one of the notable families within the Harlem Ball community. The dance troupe will honor Willi Ninja, the group’s former leader and a legend and icon in the New York City Night Life and the Harlem Ball communities, who passed away in 2006 from complications due to AIDS. How Do I Look (2006, 80 Minutes, Video) will be preceded by Julie Casper Roth’s Tokens (2007, 18 Minutes, Video).

Tickets cost $5.

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Video Feedback: A Filmmaking Technique

2008-03-29T21:19:00.000-07:00

The director Wolfgang Busch has created a short film using the technique of video feedback, and he has set his video to music by Traci Lords.

Someone on the Internet wrote about video feedback: "It is the repurposing of the most oppresivly used medium in the history of man for the purpose of triggering mass epiphany..." (See thread about video feedback art).

How do videographers create video feedback?

"Video feedback is created when a video camera is pointed at its own monitor, just like audio feedback is created when you put a microphone close to its own speaker" (See Dr. Tom's Video Feedback Gallery).

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Film Independent to present Spirit Awards tonight

2008-02-23T12:44:00.000-08:00

Tune into the 23rd Annual Spirit Awards tonight on IFC at 5 pm or on AMC at 10 pm

Film Independent's Spirit Awards will be presenting its annual honors celebrating the best in independent films tonight. The awards recognize excellent in the independent film community.

"Film Independent is an open enrollment and non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry."

For more information about the nominees for tonight's Spirit Awards, please visit the official Film Independent website.

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New international screening announced for 'How Do I Look' documentary

2008-02-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

'How Do I Look' selected for XXIII Black International Cinema Berlin-Warsaw 2008 Film Festival

How Do I Look has been selected by the screening committee of the upcoming XXIII. Black International Cinema Berlin/Warsaw 2008 film festival.

From May 8-12, 2008, the 23rd edition of the Black International Cinema film festival will be screening its selection of "cinema from Africa, the African Diaspora and other films from varied intercultural backgrounds or perspectives."

How Do I Look is about the creative and inspirational Ballroom community of New York City. Centered in Harlem, these modern-day ball competitions can be called the descendants of past drag balls, which trace their origin to the Harlem Renaissance. You know about the Ballroom community from Madonna's music video for "Vogue," from her successful documentary, "Truth or Dare," and from the movie, "Paris is Burning." The artistic mission of How Do I Look blends creativity and social awareness of the impact that art can have on the community:

"How Do I Look is a tool to showcase our talents, brings the Ballroom community together, gain artistic and human respect, provides hands on video production/post production training, improves the quality of life and sends HIV/AIDS awareness messages through the many we lost to AIDS and the ones living with HIV now."

And that artistic mission closely matches the artistic vision of the Black International Cinema film festival:

"The festival focuses on presenting works of an artistic, cultural or political nature coinciding with the general educational, social, artistic and economic interest of people from Africa, the African Diaspora and people with an interest in participating in intercultural communication and the resultant interfacing and sharing of educational, social, artistic and economic resources."

"Black International Cinema Berlin is a yearly interdisciplinary, intercultural film/video festival produced and directed by Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre / Cultural Zephyr e.V. and The Collegium - Forum & Television Program Berlin and screens cinema from Africa, the African Diaspora and other films from varied intercultural backgrounds or perspectives. The festival focuses on presenting cinematic works of an artistic, cultural or political nature coinciding with the shared values of people from Africa, the African Diaspora and people with an interest in intercultural communication and the interfacing and sharing of educational, social, artistic and economic resources."

For program and other information about this film festival, please visit the official Black International Cinema website.

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Black History Month screening of 'How Do I Look' documentary

2008-02-14T02:27:00.000-08:00

More colleges and universities are programming the documentary How Do I Look as part of their on-campus, student life cultural offerings.

The Ithaca College Office of Media Relations issued a news release yesterday, announcing the latest college screening of How Do I Look.

The Out of the Closet and onto the Screen film series at Ithaca College will feature the 2006 documentary How Do I Look on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. in Textor 102. The showing, which is being held in observance of Black History Month, is free and open to the public.

Here is how the Out of the Closet and onto the Screen film series described How Do I Look:

How Do I Look is a follow up to the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which chronicled the African-American, Latino, and transgender drag ball community in New York City. Filmmaker and social activist Wolfgang Busch returned to the balls to show what has changed and what has remained the same, interviewing participants about their experiences with ball competitions and the challenges faced by the community. Among the issues the community confronts are persistent social misconception, drug use, sex work, acceptance of sexuality and gender, and HIV/AIDS. The film is an uplifting and life-affirming celebration of a New York City artistic tradition.

This film series is sponsored by the Ithaca College Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Education, Outreach, and Services. For more news about this particular screening at Ithaca College, please read the complete news release from the Office of Media Relations. Additional information is also available on Ithaca College's website about the Out of the Closet and onto the Screen film series.

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Chelsea Classics announces February 2008 film screening schedule

2008-02-07T03:22:00.001-08:00

Chelsea Classics, the popular movie program at Clearview Cinemas in New York has released its monthly series of film screenings for February.

February 2008 Schedule for Chelsea Classics

Rosemary's Baby (1968). Playing Thursday, February 7th at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. Rosemary Woodhouse (portrayed by Mia Farrow), the young wife of a struggling actor (John Cassavetes), is thrilled to find out she's pregnant.

What's Up Doc? (1972). Playing Thursday, February 14th at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. This classic comedy caper from director Peter Bogdanovich
stars Hollywood heavyweights Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal and Madeline Kahn.

Female on the Beach (1955). Playing Thursday, February 21st at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. Lynn Markham (played by Joan Crawford) moves into a beach house the morning after former tenant Eloise Crandall mysteriously disappears over a cliff.

Queen of Outer Space (1958). Playing Thursday, February 28th at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. A space mission to Venus encounters a population of sexy women led by the evil Queen Yllana (played by Laurie Mitchell).

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'How Do I Look' to be screened in New York by NewFilmmakers series during Gay Pride Week

2008-02-07T02:24:00.000-08:00

Screening set for 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25 at the Anthology Film Archives

NewFilmmakers NY has just announced its Spring 2008 schedule of independent film screenings. And the independent film How Do I Look, an award-winning documentary about the dancers, artists, models, and performers of the Harlem Ball community, has been selected to be screened at the Anthology Film Archives at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2008.

The film series by NewFilmmakers NY gives new filmmakers the opportunity to screen their films directly to the public. NewFilmmakers features outstanding independent and foreign films, but each film plays only one night.

In the past, NewFilmmakers NY has featured compelling films such as Malcolm McLaren - Not For Sale, directed by Nancy Cohen and Andy Lee, which is about the Sex Pistol's organizer's campaign to become mayor of London, and My Brother's War, directed by Whitney Hamilton, which is loosely based on the director's novel, Firefly.

The Anthology Film Archives is located at 32 Second Ave (at Second Street), New York, NY 10003.

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The audience reacts with a yawn, a stretch, and a nap. And this is good?

2008-01-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

A rarity amongst films: WebcamMurder.com deliberately aims to put you to sleep

WebcamMurder.com, a 2006 independent film written and directed by Sondra Lowell, is a comedy that was conceived with a noble purpose: to "get our rushed, compulsive, stressed-out 21st century culture to slow down a bit and experience the rest and cellular renewal that only sleeping through a movie can bring."

"As for the theme and message of my own first feature, it's to encourage fans and other viewers to get more sleep. By sleeping through my movie," said Ms. Lowell.

The film makes no pretense about its primary purpose: "That's why we don't want to stress you out with a lot of action. Or a plot. Or character arcs or any of that other stuff you learned in film school. That's our mission. To not disturb your sleep. "

To compliment her film, Ms. Lowell has written an e-book, How to Make a Movie That Puts the Audience to Sleep: A Home Study Course, and also writes a blog about WebcamMurder.com.

It's rare for a filmmaker to acknowledge that film lovers want to watch so many movies, but we live our lives with little down-time to actually enjoy a film, or with little down-time, period. Some of my favorite movies are directed with a soothing pace; not every film should be like Cloverfield. As it is, sometimes the only way I get to watch many of the movies I rent through Netflix is to watch them in parts. I'll watch them late at night, after a hurried day, until I feel drowsy. If I decide to watch a movie in parts, it will usually take two, sometimes three, sittings to watch it through completion. I think Ms. Lowell is on to something. Without having to go to the degree Ms. Lowell has embraced, maybe filmmakers should consider making films in two or three acts, with deliberate intermissions -- precise points where we can safely pause a movie if we only have 45 to 60 minutes at a time to watch a movie.

The redeeming social commentary in WebcamMurder.com about our conflicting work-life balance issues applies to us all. We have to find more serenity in our hectic lives.

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Clay Cane: NAACP Nominates 'Dirty Laundry' for Image Award

2008-01-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

The writer Clay Cane wrote a blog entry today, celebrating the nomination of the independent film Dirty Laundry for an NAACP Image Award. Written and directed by Maurice Jamal, Dirty Laundry screened during an abbreviated run at a New York cinema before it was abruptly closed in a controversial decision by theatre management. Following its premature closing, Keith Boykin wrote a blog post that celebrated what was positive about Dirty Laundry. As the community deals with the aftermath of the stunted success of Mr. Jamal's film, it is reassuring that the NAACP acknowledges the contribution made by Dirty Laundry.

Here is a listing of the 2008 NAACP nominees for the best independent/foreign film category:

Outstanding Independent or Foreign Film

• “A Mighty Heart” (Paramount Vantage)

• “Dirty Laundry” (Codeblack Entertainment)

• “Honeydripper” (Emerging Pictures)

• “My Brother” (Codeblack Entertainment)

• “Persepolis” (Sony Pictures Classics)

"The NAACP Image Awards honors projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts in television, recording, literature and motion pictures." The NAACP has published a press release listing the complete Image Award Nominees. The 39th NAACP Image Awards will be broadcast tape-delayed on Thursday, February 14 (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

For more information about Dirty Laundry, please read the movie review published by The New York Times and the nomination announcement by GLAAD.

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Clearview Cinemas brings back disasterous (and campy) movie experiences with 'Chelsea Classics'

2008-01-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

While Hollywood continues its obsession with New York disaster films (I am Legend and Cloverfield), each Thursday during the month of January 2008, Manhattan theater-goers can pay $6.50 admission to a watch a handful of classic disaster films that, if nothing else, difuse the pain and agony.

On Thursday nights, Clearview Cinemas in Chelsea hosts a unique movie experience it calls Chelsea Classics. The movie theater typically screens a classic Hollywood film; usually, the featured film has a theme that appeals to the gay sensibility of the demographic of theater-goers of that Manhattan neighborhood. For example, a popular film in the Chelsea Classics program is Mommie Dearest, like that.

Before each film is screened, there is a pre-show that you can trust to be hilarious, but I feel the need to share a bit of caution: the campy live show by the personality Hedda Lettuce is inteded for Mature Audiences.

January 2008 Schedule for Chelsea Classics

The Poseidon Adventure (1972). Playing Thursday, January 3rd at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. The cruise ship Poseidon is on its last voyage.

The Towering Inferno (1974). Playing Thursday, January 10th at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. The world's tallest building catches on fire.

Burnt Offerings (1976). Playing Thursday, January 17th at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. A vacationing family rents a sprawling mansion for the summer.

Airport 1975 (1974). Playing Thursday, January 24th at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. In desperation, the head stewardess portrayed by Karen Black takes the controls of a troubled flight.

In This Our Life (1942). Playing Thursday, January 31st at 7:00pm & 9:30pm. A pairing of Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland in a drama approximately 24 years before their reunion for Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte.

For more information, visit the official website for Chelsea Classics.

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Evan Ross attended the 5th Annual New York AIDS Festival Gala

2007-12-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

The actor Evan Ross attended the World AIDS Day gala event of the New York AIDS Film Festival on December 1, 2007. Ross garnered critical attention for his supporting role in the HBO film, Life Support, which was a featured film during the New York AIDS Film Festival. At the gala event, Ross was joined by other members of the industry, such as the producer Suzanne Engo, who is also the founder of the New York AIDS Film Festival; the filmmaker Wolfgang Busch; BET executive Sonya Lockett, who was among the evening's honorees; and others.

Life Support, starring Queen Latifah, is based on the real life story of Andrea Williams, an HIV-positive woman. According to Wikipedia, the film premiered January 26, 2007, at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and premiered on HBO on March 10, 2007. The film featured Evan Ross in a supporting role. Life Support was nominated for 2 Emmys: Queen Latifah was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, while the film was nominated for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or Special.

Filmmakers Michael Eldridge, Enrique Menendez, and Wolfgang Busch discussed HIV/AIDS issues at New York University

2007-12-05T03:48:00.000-08:00

In connection with the Fifth Annual New York AIDS Film Festival, excerpted screenings of three documentaries were presented free to the public at NYU's King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center on December 1, 2007. The first such screening was of director Michael Eldridge's film, GMHC at 25, a short documentary that takes the viewer through the harrowing first years of the AIDS/HIV crisis. The film takes the viewer from the beginning of GMHC to the agency's present -- and how we need to keep fighting AIDS/HIV today. Mr. Eldridge's story is told exclusively through first-person interviews of the men and women who have fought this pandemic for the last 25 years. Their voices weave both a hopeful and haunting look at this crisis.

The second documentary to be presented was an excerpt of Enrique Menendez's film, AboutFace. This first-person film introduces the filmmaker in his professional theatrical roles as a GI from the Vietnam War, sailor from WWII, and a student during the French revolution. We learn how he became infected. Through images of one of Enrique’s HIV pharmaceutical ads, the March on Washington, and the AIDS quilt, we learn how these battles deeply affect him. Upon HIV infection, we see how the virus has affected his body. Next, Enrique reminisces about his 40th and 30th birthday parties -- and how his medications take their toll. His desire to control is manifested in addiction.

The final documentary to be excerpted was Wolfgang Busch's documentary, How Do I Look, a decade-long community-based empowerment project about the Harlem "Ball" community. Following the screenings was a Q&A session.

World AIDS Day Screening of "How Do I Look" Documentary

2007-12-04T02:45:00.000-08:00

On World AIDS Day 2007, the documentary How Do I Look was screened at the 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival at Riverside Theatre. This screening of How Do I Look was promoted with listings in Gay City News, The New York Blade, Time Out New York magazine, and NY1 Community Calendar, and the turn-out for the screening was impressive.

Before the screening began, the filmmaker and activist Wolfgang Busch and Reinaldo Barroso-Spech, a co-founder of the African Diaspora Film Festival, took a moment to pose for a photograph:

In connection with the World AIDS Day screening of his documentary How Do I Look, Wolfgang Busch attended the Red Ball fundraiser and awards event of the New York AIDS Film Festival. The event was co-produced by New York AIDS Film Festival founder Suzanne Engo and Brian Supler of Cement Marketing. Honored at the Red Ball were the agency Gay Mens Health Crisis (GMHC), the fashion design house Heatherette (for their collection at LIFE BALL 07), Miss Universe Riyo Mori (whose platform is AIDS), and Sonya Lockett, Vice President of Public Affairs, Black Enterntainment Television (BET).

Here is a photograph of Wolfgang Busch with Suzanne Engo:

Here is a photograph of Wolfgang Busch with Brian Supler, a co-producer of the New York AIDS Film Festival's Red Ball event:

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Buy Tickets to World AIDS Day screening of "How Do I Look"

2007-11-29T17:20:00.000-08:00

Ticketweb.com is now selling tickets for the screenings of films during the 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival in New York. You can now buy your tickets online for the evening screening on Saturday, Dec. 1 for How Do I Look. The screening will take place at Riverside Theatre in Harlem.

How Do I Look (US, 2006, 80mins) is a documentary directed by Wolfgang Busch. The film is about the Harlem "Ball" community, a group of highly creative dancers and performance artists. Topher Campbell has described How Do I Look as, "Personal. Powerful. Inspirational."

Another special World AIDS Day screening of "How Do I Look"

2007-11-24T10:53:00.000-08:00

In connection with the 2007 New York AIDS Film Festival, New York University is hosting a special World AIDS Day screening of How Do I Look directed by Wolfgang Busch, on Saturday, December 1, 2007. A Q&A session with the documentary’s director will follow the screening.

The free screening of How Do I Look will take place from 11 am to 12 pm at New York University at the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, 53 Washington Square South, New York City. Admission to attend this special screening is free. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

For more information, please contact the director Wolfgang Busch at: Art From The Heart Films, 718-726-0831 or WolfgangBusch@earthlink.net, www.HowDoILookNYC.org.

About How Do I Look

How Do I Look is an award-winning documentary about the Harlem “Ball” community. This documentary feature originated as a community empowerment project for dancers and artists in the Ball community; it was directed by Wolfgang Busch in collaboration with assistant directors from the “Ball” community: Kevin Omni and Luna Khan. Since its early production, How Do I Look has been screened as a work-in-progress film at many prestigious American universities, such as Yale University, New York University, and Sarah Lawrence College, as part of academic curricula and student-run programs. Because the “Ball” community has been hit hard by the AIDS pandemic, from the outset Mr. Busch included in the final version of How Do I Look important messages from dancers and artists about HIV/AIDS prevention and care. As part of the New York AIDS Film Festival, a special 10-minute segment will be screened from How Do I Look, addressing HIV/AIDS. Featured in the HIV excerpt from the How Do I Look documentary are: Octavia St. Laurent, Kevin Omni, Jose Xtravaganza, Carmen Xtravaganza, Harmonica Sunbeam, Luna Khan, Kevin Aviance, Kenny Ebony, Darryck LaBeija, and Marcel Christian.

About the “Ball” community

The Harlem "Ball" community has been, and continues to be, influential in fashion, music, runway, and dance. The artistry and talent from this community have inspired superstars Madonna, Iman, Marc Jacobs, and RuPaul. Unfortunately, the “Ball” community has been devastated by the AIDS pandemic, resulting in the loss of the community’s leadership. As a community, the dancers and artists from the “Ball” scene continue to fight an uphill battle for artistic and social empowerment.

About the New York AIDS Film Festival

To mark Work AIDS Day this year on December 1, The New York AIDS Film Festival (NYAFF) will provide a series of HIV- and AIDS-related film screenings, panel discussions, and special events. Its mission is to provide the public with information about the disease by sponsoring the screenings of visual media. The New York AIDS Film Festival features diverse works, which serve as educational material about HIV/AIDS. These programs aim to promote social action in the fight against the global AIDS pandemic. In 2006, the New York AIDS Film Festival commemorated the 25th Anniversary of the first diagnosed case of AIDS. Stay tuned for more information about this important film festival.

Podcast Interview with Kevin Ultra Omni at London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

2007-11-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

Podcast of Pink Mafia Radio Episode No. 72, May 22, 2007, dedicated to the documentary, How Do I Look.

Coverage of the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival begins with our guest Kevin Ultra Omni founding father of the House of Ultra Omni and Co-Director of How Do I Look. His film is the answer to the questions left by the classic Ball Scene documentary Paris Is Burning. Kevin with Wolfgang Bush and Luna Khan directed this new film with much more input from the people active in the NYC Ball community. To find out more about the film please go to HowDoILookNYC.org.

Click on this link to listen to the podcast interview with Kevin Ultra Omni.

Special Screening of "How Do I Look" on World AIDS Day

2007-11-02T13:22:00.001-07:00

For immediate release

November 1st 2007

How Do I Look documentary screening on WORLD AIDS DAY at the Harlem Diaspora Film Festival, Saturday December 1st, 2007 at the Riverside Theatre, 8PM

The award winning documentary How Do I Look with director Wolfgang Busch and assistant directors Kevin Omni and Luna Khan, will be screened at the Harlem Diaspora Film Festival on December 1st, 2007 on World AIDS Day, followed by Q & A by the directors. How Do I Look is about the Harlem “Drag Ball” community that originated in the 1970s in Harlem, an off shoot of the legendary Harlem “Drag Balls” from the 1920s.

This African American and Hispanic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Harlem community is best known for its worldwide influences in dance, fashion, runway and music, inspiring Madonna with her best selling music video “Vogue”, fashion designer Thierry Mugler and in music Ru Paul and #1 Billboard dance performer extraordinaire Kevin Aviance with producer GOMI.

This trendsetting artistic community is unfortunately also hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic. Since the beginning of the production of the How Do I Look documentary in 1995, nine members from the “Ball” community have passed away: Willi Ninja, Angie Infiniti, Eric Christian Bazaar, Marcel Christian, Gerald Dupree LaBeija, Mystery Royale, Kenny Ebony, Pepper LaBeija, and Billy Pemperton. While this list of nine "Ball" members did not all die from AIDS, to this date many surving members are struggling every day with the HIV virus. For that reason, much of this community’s history and legacy is lost or in danger of being lost.

This ground-breaking, inspiring, educational and entertaining documentary, now available on DVD, talks about the history of the dance “Vogue” by Willi Ninja, Jose Xtravaganza, and Andre Mizrahi; sends HIV hope messages by Luna Khan; “Bazaar” Fashion designs by Ross Infiniti; runway by Ricky Revlon; transgender issues by Tracy Africa, Carmen Xtravaganza, and Octavia St. Laurent; and the “Ball” history by Marcel Christian and Kevin Omni. Special appearance by columnist Michael Musto, Patricia Field, and Kevin Aviance.

How Do I Look is released independently by Art From The Heart LLC, and we are proud to represent LGBT content at the up-coming prestige’s Diaspora Film Festival in Harlem.

How Do I Look is currently screened in film festivals across the United States and Internationally and the How Do I Look DVD is available on our website www.HowDoILooknyc.org, Amazon.com, selected retail stores in NYC at Kim’s Video, Giovanni’s in Philadelphia and A Different Light book store in Los Angeles.

Please contact: Art From The Heart, attn. Wolfgang Busch at 718-726-0831 or WolfgangBusch@earthlink.net or kevin.burrus1@verizon.net; website: http://www.HowDoILooknyc.org.

Upcoming Screening of "How Do I Look" - The 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival - Saturday, Dec. 1 at 8 pm

2007-10-27T05:06:00.000-07:00

HOW DO I LOOK

US, 2006, 80min, doc., English, Wolfgang Busch, dir.

"A documentary 10 years in the making about the over 35 year old Harlem "Ball" community, How Do I Look picks up from where Paris Is Burning left off, the new school of Vogue champions play fast and loose with their fierce identity. The rollcall of participants in this extraordinary testimony to difference reads like a Who's Who of fabulousness. Kevin Aviance, Jose Xtravaganza, Mystery Royale, China Blue, the legendary Willi Ninja, who died in 2006. My favourite line - 'Truth cannot change no matter how much they cut it off' - is delivered as part of the gritty/ glamorous testimonies of trans people of colour, including Tracy Africa, the Irvin Penn-discovered 70s supermodel, until she was found out. At which point the doors closed. Voguing is arguably one of the most powerful expressions of Black and Latino identity. Personal. Powerful. Inspirational." ~ Topher Campbell
Screening Scheduled for: Sat., Dec. 1, 2007 @ 8:00pm at Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Ave. (at West 120th Street) in New York City. For tickets, please call (212) 870-6784. Shown with Girls Night Out. Q&A after the screening.

For more information, please visit the official website for the 15th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival.

Select Index of Film Festival Screenings of "How Do I Look"

2007-10-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Wolfgang Busch and “How Do I Look” in film festivals

The 21st London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Filmmaker Wolfgang Busch screened his first documentary release, How Do I Look, at the The 21st London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival in 2007. Here is an excerpt from the film festival’s article:

* “Picking up from where Paris Is Burning left off, the new school of Vogue champions play fast and loose with their fierce identity. The rollcall of participants in this extraordinary testimony to difference reads like a who's who of fabulousness: Kevin Aviance, Jose Xtravaganza, Mystery Royale, China Blue, the legendary Willi Ninja, who died in 2006…. Voguing is arguably one of the most powerful expressions of Black and Latino identity. Personal. Powerful. Inspirational.” -- Topher Campbell -- Excerpt from the The 21st London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival’s preview of "How Do I Look."