The Queer Film Society ( QFS ) in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and in association with Chicago Filmmakers ( the presenting organization of Reeling: The Chicago LGBT International Film Festival ), The Legacy Project, and Affinity Community Services present Cinema Q IV, the fourth annual film series celebrating outstanding LGBT movies. The free screenings will take place on four Wednesdays, March 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2014 in the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. All screenings will feature a discussion and Q&A following the film. The lineup at this year's Cinema Q series focuses on the 10th anniversary of four stellar LGBT themed movies from 2004 — a great year for queer cinema. Viewer discretion is advised. Media sponsors for the Cinema Q film series are ChicagoPride.com, Chicago Reader, and Windy City Times.
Wednesday, March 5
Brother to Brother ( 2004 ): Anthony Mackie's breakthrough performance as a confused gay African-American art student who is mentored by a former member of the Harlem Renaissance is just one highlight of this critically acclaimed feature debut from writer-director Rodney Evans.
Wednesday, March 12
My Summer of Love ( 2004 ): Emily Blunt made her feature debut as the gorgeous, bored Tamsin, a wealthy girl who becomes the obsession of the fiercely independent Mona ( Natalie Press ) during a sultry summer in the Yorkshire countryside in Pawel Pawlikowski's sensual lesbian coming of age romance.
Wednesday, March 19
Summer Storm ( 2004 ): Teams from all across Germany converge on a quiet camping ground for an annual rowing competition — including the defiantly gay team from Berlin whose arrival threatens to shake up the world of the closeted Tobi. Marco Kreuzpainter's delightful coming of age dramedy was one of the Reeling Film Festival's most popular opening night selections. This screening co-sponsored by the Goethe-Institut Chicago
Wednesday, March 26
De-Lovely ( 2004 ): Anything goes in this vibrant, sophisticated musical biopic that frankly examines the life and complicated marriage of the legendary gay songwriter Cole Porter. Kevin Kline stars as Cole, Ashley Judd, dressed by Armani, plays his mostly understanding wife Linda, and a bevy of musical superstars — Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, and Robbie Williams among them — make cameo appearances performing Porter's greatest hits.
For more information on Cinema Q and other film programs at the Chicago Cultural Center, please visit www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org .
THE QUEER FILM SOCIETY
The Queer Film Society ( QFS ) is a consortium of LGBT film critics, historians, artists, and scholars dedicated to the exploration and celebration of queer images in world cinema. Recognizing the diversity of identities and perspectives that comprise its membership, QFS is committed to showcasing vital films from equally vital, and sometimes widely varied, vantage points. From mainstream to underground and from artist to audience, a distinct and communal sensibility informs the queer cinema experience. www.queerfilmsociety.org
CHICAGO FILMMAKERS
Chicago Filmmakers is a 40 year-old media arts organization that fosters the creation, appreciation and understanding of film and video as media for artistic and personal expression. Chicago Filmmakers is the presenting organization of Reeling: The Chicago LGBT International Film Festival, the second oldest film festival of its kind in the world. www.chicagofilmmakers.org
THE LEGACY PROJECT
The Legacy Project is a non-profit corporation committed to using the contributions LGBT people have made to history and culture as a tool to boost LGBT youth self-esteem by challenging the ignorance that fuels anti-gay bullying in our schools. The Legacy Project manages "The Legacy Walk" — the only outdoor LGBT historic museum walk in the world — and the Legacy Project Education Initiative ( LPEI ), which combines lesson plans, study guides, multimedia and creative activities with field trips to the Legacy Walk. ( A "virtual tour" is available on-line with all the educational materials for those too far from the installation to make the trip. ) Together these elements have been internationally recognized for using historically significant LGBT role models to empower both students and those who teach and advise them. www.legacyprojectchicago.org
AFFINITY COMMUNITY SERVICES
Affinity Community Services is a social justice organization that works with and on behalf of Black LGBTQ communities, queer youth, and allies to identify emergent needs, create safe spaces, develop leaders, and bridge communities through collective analysis and action for social justice, freedom, and human rights. www.affinity95.org/acscontent
CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER
Originally built in 1897 as Chicago's first central public library, the Chicago Cultural Center was established in 1991 as the nation's first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue. Drawn by its beauty and abundant free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Chicago Cultural Center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. This stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events. For more information, visit www.chicagoculturalcenter.org
CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE ) is dedicated to enriching Chicago's artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago's non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City's future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City's cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.
