Perth’s annual PrideFEST begins soon and this year sees the return of a film festival to the program of events.
Pride abandoned the annual film festival a few years ago, and in its place the WA AIDS Council has run the Perth International Queer Film Festival. Following the WA AIDS Council’s announcement that it was pulling back on its fundraising activities, it’s great to see a film festival return to the PrideFEST program.
Teaming up with Palace Cinemas the FilmFEST will see an LGBTIQ+ themed film playing at Cinema Paradiso in Northbridge every Thursday during Pride month. So lock off Thursday – November 7, 14, 21 & 28 in your diary for a weekly cinema treat.
The eclectic program of LGBTQ documentaries and feature films over four weeks reflect the 2019 PrideFEST themes of reflect; love, community, identity and heroes. Part proceeds of tickets sold will go to Pride WA. The festival opening night on November 7 will pay homage to the ‘89ers – the first people to publicly protest for gay rights at WA state Parliament in 1989 – who will be special guests on the night, along with festival PrideFEST glambassador Famous Sharron to officially open the festival.
The season begins with the documentary Studio 54, OUTinPerth gave the film 3.5 stars when it played at the Revelation International Film Festival in 2017, and it’s a great documentary of the disco era. The opening night festivities of the festival will feature a prize for the best dressed Studio 54 inspired get up on the night. After the film the party will continue on at Connections Nightclub.
The following week will feature Vita & Virginia. It’ the true story of the passionate relationship between literary trailblazer Virginia Woolf (Elizabeth Debicki), and the enigmatic aristocrat Vita Sackville-West (Gemma Arterton). The film tells the story of the birth of the novel their intoxicating encounters inspired; Woolf’s bold experiment in art and androgyny, Orlando. This new film is not in cinemas until December, so don’t miss this special advance screening.
The third week of the program features the documentary about America’s first superstar designer Halston. Halston rose to international fame in the 1970s, creating an empire and personifying the dramatic social and sexual revolution of the last century. Reaching beyond the glitz and glamour, acclaimed filmmaker Frédéric Tcheng reveals Halston’s profound impact on fashion, culture, and business.
Finally, a special screening of the Elton John biopic Rocketman. On the eve of the real Rocketman himself coming to Perth, join the big screen celebration of Elton’s life in a special sing-along version. The epic musical fantasy and incredibly human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John, with a stunning performance from Taryn Egerton.
This presentation features subtitles for the songs, so you can sing-a-long. Also if you come in your best Rocketman outfit you can be up for a prize too.
OIP Staff
