FilmFest

The CA Supreme Court has heard the case of Prop 8 today. Was it legal? Can it be overturned? The eyes of the nation are on this decision. And while the LGBT community watches closely to see if we will be treated like equal citizens under the law (whether we want to take on that institution or not) it’s the plaintiffs in this case who are putting themselves and their relationships on the line to fight back against inequality.

One of the plaintiffs is the powerful community leader and founder of the inclusive Metropolitan Community Church, Rev Troy Perry. Profiling the life and times of one of the gay community’s most visible and tenacious advocates for change, Rev. Troy Perry, Call Me Troy is a truly inspirational story about a remarkable and dynamic individual whose activism was decades ahead of its time. Rev. Perry is perhaps best known as the founder of the Metropolitan Community Church – the first church to recognize the spiritual needs of the gay community – but his “firsts” don’t stop there. He was the first openly gay person to serve on the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations. In 1969, Perry performed the first public same-sex wedding in the U.S., and in 1970 he filed the first-ever lawsuit seeking legal recognition for same-gender marriages. From presidential advisor to outspoken advocate, Perry has been on the front lines leading the charge for equal rights and protections for gay men and lesbians the world over as well as providing a place for all people, gay and straight, to worship side by side. This film celebrates his life and his legacy.

Previously only available for educational and theatrical screenings, Frameline is offering Call Me Troy for home video DVD sales for a limited time. Recognizing the ways that Prop 8 has ignited the religious communities on both sides of the argument, Frameline recognizes the importance of making the documentary available to individuals throughout the country.

Set in a storybook 1920s rural American South and inspired by the Japanese fairytale “Kaguyahime,” Milford Thomas’ Claire tells the story of a child-less. elderly male couple (Mish P. DeLight and James Ferguson) who discover a princess made of moonlight (Toniet Gallego) inside an ear of corn. The enchanting young Claire bewitches onlookers with her readings of fantastic poetry in unfamiliar languages, entrances a local boy and discovers her miraculous healing powers when he jumps from a cliff in an attempt to win her heart. While exemplifying the untraditional family (two men lovingly raising a moon-child), Claire celebrates the diversity of family and poignantly treats the grief of losing a loved one.

An homage to early cinema, the film was glowingly shot on a vintage hand-cranked 35mm camera and is accompanied by the Orchestra De Lune conducted
by Anne Richardson. Like its silent-era camera, all set-design and special effects were achieved the old-fashioned way, using canvas backgrounds, semi-hidden wires and multiple exposures, creating a timeless atmosphere of wonderment and magic.

Bonus Features Include:
•Additional Information about the Feature
•Production Stills Gallery
•Interviews with Milford Thomas: Writer & Director, and Anne Richardson: Composer
•Director Commentary
•Live Soundtrack Recording from the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival