GREENFIELD — If this were a typical year, cities across the region would be preparing to host events celebrating the local LGBTQ community, such as the annual Franklin County Pride celebration in Greenfield.
But of course, 2021 is anything but typical, and in-person gatherings have been canceled because of the pandemic. In the absence of a celebratory outlet, Greenfield’s Garden Cinemas intends to help fill the void.
Starting Friday afternoon, the curtain will rise on the first-ever “LGBTQIA+ Classic Film Festival,” a six-day event hosted by the Main Street theater featuring critically acclaimed films with LGBTQ themes.
Through May 20, Garden Cinemas will dedicate one screen for films ranging from the well-known title “Brokeback Mountain” to “Pariah,” about a teenager traversing the path toward her true self, and “Milk,” following the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the history of California. Screenings will kick off Friday with a 12:30 p.m. showing of “Beginners,” an Academy Award-winning 2010 film starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer, portraying an elderly man who comes out as gay after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
“We think that these are great stories, irrespective that they have LGBTQ themes. All of these stories are about humanity,” said Garden Cinemas co-owner Isaac Mass, noting that LGBTQ storylines have, since the invention of film, been subtly threaded throughout movies of all genres. The films to be shown this week, all of which are made by Universal Pictures, notably “don’t hide the themes, which are love, relationships, health, discrimination, the desire for success, and love of life, art and beauty.”
Personally, Mass said he likes “Dallas Buyers Club,” which is about a Texas electrician who seeks alternative therapies after discovering he has AIDS, among others of the 11 titles to be aired.
“Coming from a municipal background, I love ‘Milk,’ which is a story about a guy running for city council because he wants to change things,” Mass added. “We really did an effort to make sure we had a diverse group of films that represent the broadest spectrum for the community.”
According to Mass, the concept for the festival came about through a special promotion offered to theaters by Universal Pictures. Given that local Pride events had been canceled, the local theater collaborated with ServiceNet, Tapestry Health and Franklin County Pride to make it into a community-wide film festival.
“We’ve been in the Pride parade in the past — when the Pride parade was going on — and we’re eager to get out there on Pride Week and raise awareness,” said Amy Timmins, vice president of community relations with ServiceNet, a regional mental health organization. “We’re so glad that the Greenfield Garden Cinemas came up with this opportunity to raise awareness during a time when we can’t do what we normally do.”
Speaking to the importance of raising awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQ communities and celebrating diversity, Timmins noted, “the mental health of our community, as a whole, improves when all of us are more informed, aware and accepting of each other’s differences.”
All tickets for the shows will be offered at a reduced cost of $5, regardless of showtime. Contactless tickets are available for purchase at gardencinemas.net.
“Beginners” (R, 2010): Starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer. Plummer won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance, making him the oldest acting Oscar winner at the time at the age of 82. Playing May 14 at 12:30 p.m.
“My Summer of Love” (R, 2004): Starring Emily Blunt. “Summer of Love” was nominated for the Best British Film Award and has a “certified fresh” rating of 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Playing May 14 at 3:30 p.m.
“Milk” (R, 2008): Starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and James Franco. Penn won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his performance while the film received eight Academy Award nominations. Milk has a “certified fresh” rating of 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Playing May 14 at 6:30 p.m. and May 17 at 4:30 p.m.
“The Danish Girl” (R, 2015): Starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander. Vikander won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Playing May 14 at 9:15 p.m. and May 17 at 7:30 p.m.
“To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” (PG13, 1995): Starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo. No. 1 at the box office for two consecutive weeks in 1995, the film garnered Swayze and Snipes nominations for Best Actor and Supporting Actor, respectively. Playing May 15 at 12:30 p.m. and May 19 at 4:30 p.m.
“The Kids Are All Right” (R, 2010): Starring Annette Benning, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. Benning won a Golden Globe for Best Actress and the film won Best Picture in the Musical or Comedy category. “The Kids Are All Right” has a “certified fresh” rating of 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Playing May 15 at 3:30 p.m. and May 19 at 7 p.m.
“Brokeback Mountain” (R, 2005): Starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. “Brokeback Mountain” won three Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Adapted Screen Play and Best Original Score. With box office receipts of over $178 million dollars worldwide, it is the highest grossing LGBTQIA+ film of all time. Playing May 15 at 6:30 p.m. and May 18 at 4:30 p.m.
“Dallas Buyers Club” (R, 2013): Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto; Dallas Buyers Club won Academy Awards for Best Actor and Supporting Actor as well as Best Makeup and Hair Styling, and boasts a 93 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Playing May 15 at 9:30 p.m. and May 18 at 7:30 p.m.
“Pariah” (R, 2011): Starring Adepero Oduye and Kim Wayans. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, Pariah won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture. The film has a “certified fresh” rating of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. This was Oduye’s first feature-length film and earned her a Black Reel nomination for Best Actress. Playing May 16 at 12:30 p.m. and May 20 at 7 p.m.
“Boy Erased” (R, 2018): Starring Lucas Hedged, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Premiered at the Telluride film festival, Boy Erased won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film — Limited Release. It also garnered Kidman a second Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award for Best Actress after her win the prior year for “Lion.” Playing May 16 at 3:30 p.m. and May 20 at 4:40 p.m.
“High Art” (R, 1998): Directed by Lisa Cholodenko and starring Ally Sheedy and Patricia Clarkson. Roger Ebert wrote that ‘“High Art’ is masterful in the little details.” Sheedy won the Independent Spirit Award for her performance. Indiewire lists it as No. 7 of the 15 Greatest Lesbian movies of all time. Playing May 16 at 6:45 p.m.
Reach Andy Castillo at acastillo@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 276.