(Sales
of RA16 tickets have closed.)
Shortbus
Thursday, October
12, 2006
7:30 p.m. • Lincoln
Theatre • $15
• NEW
YORK TIMES: ‘Shortbus’
Cast Didn’t Study for This in Acting Class Article,
Sunday Arts,
Sept. 24 (Registration
required)
Part reaction to post 9/11 repression, part love letter to New York,
and part homage to 70s era pornography, Shortbus is a true
gem – a
tender, full-frontal film about the tragedy and comedy of contemporary
sexual mores.
Directed by John Cameron Mitchell, of Hedwig and the Angry Inch fame,
Shortbus is the tale of a group of societal misfits who gather
at a sex salon in New York, clucked over by the motherly madame played
by Justin Bond (Kiki and Herb). Our troupe of horny hedonists carries
on joyfully – participating
in orgies, reveling in societal taboos, discussing feelings, and above
all – unabashedly
exploring their desires.
The genius of Shortbus is that the rampant sex throughout
the film – while
often baroque and screamingly orgasmic – is never gratuitous,
yet can be, and often is, played for comedic effect with typical Mitchell-esque
flair.
In fact, the main characters, and one can assume, EVERY character
in the film, has some sort of sexual riddle to ponder: the “couples
counselor” in
search of her first orgasm, the gay couple wondering whether to open
up their relationship to other partners, the larger than life dominatrix
who shelters herself in a storage unit. Then there are the cameos – a
veritable who’s
who of sexual scenesters – from Le Tigre’s JD Sansone to
Jonathan Caouette (creator of Tarnation) and Gentleman Reg.
John Cameron Mitchell, ever the merry prankster, unleashes one visual
treat after another, while allowing the audience the chance to recognize
their own frailties in the trials and tribulations of Shortbus’s characters.
WARNING: Shortbus is
good, dirty fun and contains real sex – performed
by real people. Please keep this in mind when deciding to see the film.
Sponsors: Metro
Weekly, Universal Gear
Opening Night Party
Thursday, October 12, 2006
9:30 p.m. • Rooftop
Terrace,
The Ellington • $15
1301 U St. NW,
Washington, DC
Glam it up under the stars – with
the stars!
Join the stars of our opening night film, Shortbus,
as we celebrate the kickoff of the festival! Held on the terrace of the
world-famous Ellington apartments building – our opening-night
party promises an evening of true movie-star glamour.
Refreshments graciously provided by Diageo and Alero.
Thank you to Amber Waves and The
Ellington for assistance with our opening night party.
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