April 2nd, 2020 - 7:00 pm to April 5th, 2020 - 3:00 pm
DELAWARE LGBTQ+ CINEBRATIONS Opening at the Cinema Art Theater
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is proud to present the 2020 Delaware LGBTQ+ CINE-brations Film Festival in partnership with CAMP Rehoboth. Six films will be presented over four days (April 2-5) at the Cinema Art Theater.
The films in this year’s program celebrate the transformative power of self-discovery--no matter one’s age and no matter society’s expectations. A surprise announcement brings two very different families together in the opening film, “An Almost Ordinary Summer.” The closing film, “The Coming Back Out Ball”, is an inspiring look at a fabulous ball thrown in Melbourne, Australia to honor their elderly LGBTQ+ population. In between, you can see a story of forbidden love in provincial England; the extraordinary journey of a transgender man who wants to carry his own baby; a rollicking comedy about a gay water polo team; and a documentary that follows LGBTQ+ refugees seeking new homes after escaping persecution. Love, family and community are threaded through each film’s narrative. We hope that you will come and experience all that this year’s CINE-brations has to offer!
An Almost Ordinary Summer - Thursday, April 2, 7pm
Hosted by John Pitchford and Lenny Stumpf
In this heart-warming comedy set in Italy, love later in life is shown with rare tenderness and humor. Unbeknownst to their respective families, wealthy Tony is engaged to marry working-class Carlo. The grooms-to-be try to keep the peace when they bring their families together for their surprise announcement, but the prejudices and preoccupations of their adult children complicate their good news. Alan Ng of “FilmThreat.com” writes, “You’ll laugh and love, while at the same time want to follow the exploits of these two families over another season.” [2019, Italy, 100 minutes, Not Rated, in Italian with English subtitles].
Tell it to the Bees - Friday, April 3, 4pm
Dr. Jean Markham (Anna Paquin) returns to her childhood town in rural England to take over her late father's medical practice. There she meets young Charlie, and their friendship brings Charlie’s mother Lydia into Jean's world. The two women find themselves drawn to one another in a way that Jean recognizes and fears, and Lydia could never have expected. Simran Hans of “The Guardian” praises the chemistry of the two leads: “The flirty tension between the two feels quietly credible, the camera occasionally shuddering with desire.” [2019, UK, 108 minutes, Not Rated].
Seahorse - Friday, April 3, 7pm
“Seahorse” tells the true story of a transgender man named Freddy who wants to be a dad and birth his own child. This poses unique challenges for him as he is unprepared for the physical and emotional realities of pregnancy. Freddy quickly realizes that what to him feels pragmatic, to others feels deeply confusing and confrontational. Made with unprecedented access and collaboration, the documentary follows Freddy from preparing to conceive right through childbirth. “Seahorse” is “full of hope, resilience, and a whole lot of love” according to Hannah Woodhead of “LittleWhiteLies.com”. [2019, UK, 91 minutes, Not Rated].
The Shiny Shrimps - Saturday, April 4, 4pm
Hosted by Jim Lesko, Dave Minges, Keith Zembower, and Michael Cockey
A bigoted coach and a gay water polo team become unlikely allies in this uplifting sports comedy. Matthias, an Olympic champion, makes a homophobic statement on TV and is punished by being forced to coach the Shiny Shrimps, a flamboyant amateur gay water polo team. Though not exactly good at their sport, the team has its heart set on qualifying for the Gay Games in Croatia, and it is up to Matthias to get them there. Ian Freer of “Empire.com” calls the film, “gleeful, fizzy, big-hearted fun.” [2019, France, in French with English subtitles, 100 minutes, Not Rated].
Unsettled - Saturday, April 4, 7pm
Hosted by PFLAG Rehoboth Beach
“Unsettled” examines the myth and reality of America as a safe haven in the world. This documentary follows the lives of four LGBTQ+ refugees who, in fleeing persecution from their home countries, have found their lives in their new country vastly more complicated and challenging than they ever could have expected. As some of America’s leaders continue to demonize immigrants and restrict the flow of refugees and asylum seekers into the U.S., “Unsettled” gives voice to those trying to create new and safer homes. Dennis Harvey of “Variety.com” writes that the documentary provides, “engrossing studies in human interest, as well as an empathetic look at the particular struggles of U.S. immigration in the new millennium. [2019, various countries, 81 minutes, Not Rated].
After the screening, Cheyenne Adriano and Mari N’Timansieme from the film will be present via Skype for an audience Q & A. Committee member Mona Schwartz will moderate.
The Coming Back Out Ball - Sunday, April 5, 1pm
“The Coming Back Out Ball” is a celebration, lovingly recognizing an overlooked group---the LGBTQ+ community over 60. This inspiring documentary follows older LGBTQ+ people invited to attend a ball celebrating their gender and sexual identity. Faced with the complexities of aging and isolation, these extraordinary people seize each day with determination and humor. In a time that is rapidly changing for the LGBTQ+ community around the world, viewers will witness some of the subjects in the film experiencing acceptance and love for the first time in their lives, and maybe some in the audience will be moved to remember their own stories of coming out. Sandra Hall of “The Sydney Morning Herald” calls the film, “funny, joyous and very human.” [2018, Australia, 86 minutes, Not Rated].
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Admission is $10 per screening. Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets online. If seats are available, tickets can be purchased at the theater, starting 30 minutes prior to each screening. Please note that tickets are non-refundable and there will be no exchanges.
The mission of the RBFS is promoting cinematic arts and providing education and cultural enrichment for our community. The Film Society sponsors ongoing screenings, special events, and the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival (Nov 5 – 15, 2020). Having met all the requirements for best practices in nonprofit management, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society is accredited by the Standards for Excellence Institute®. This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com. For more information on this series, other events, or to become a member, visit the Rehoboth Beach Film Society website at www.rehobothfilm.com, or call 302-645-9095.