An LGBTQ+ novel is a work of fiction that explores LGBTQ+ experiences, issues, relationships, history, or pride, either explicitly or implicitly. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and others who identify with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The “+” symbolizes the inclusion of additional identities.
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“I was delighted to hear all the feedback. I found it very interesting to see what had caught the viewers’ attention in the film and how they understood it. I’m also very happy that my film has been seen by so many people.”
A comedic riff on ’12 Angry Men’ set in the early 1990s, featuring a group of lesbians stuck in their team’s annual softball meeting. This short film explores the diversity within ‘diversity’, and its tortuous need for democracy to triumph at all costs.
Conversation with Patrice Leung about her foray into narrative short film after an unbelievable 40-year career as a First Assistant Director.
Born December 14, 1984 · Singapore City, Singapore
Birth name Monroe Jackson Rathbone V
Lust tastes like tequila and love tastes like whiskey…Love burns for longer and warms you up on the inside and sometimes it makes you do stupid things. Tequila just makes you wasted.
Spouse Dr. Martin Hirigoyen Kelly (May 19, 1998 – May 20, 2008) (his death, 3 children)
QUOTES:
I wanted to know whether the character was going to be ‘the wife’ or ‘the girlfriend’, which bores me to tears and is endemic. I think it’s incumbent on actresses to bring something else to the part which isn’t in the script.
I think I was ambitious. I still am. A lot of the stuff that was coming my way was stuff I just didn’t want to do, so it might have seemed like lack of ambition to shy away from that, but if it sticks in your throat… I just wanted to do what I wanted to do and which I thought said something.
Now I’m the sole breadwinner… I have to work. I have to try and work non-stop, actually, to make things work.
[on her nude picture scandal] I’m much better now. But truthfully, I don’t like talking about it. It was something that was meant to be private, and even though it isn’t anymore, I’d still like to keep it as private as I can. It was very traumatic, and I am extremely upset it happened. I hope all my fans can learn from my mistake and make smart decisions. But I wouldn’t have been able to get through it if it wasn’t for my family, friends, and fans, who supported me all along the way.
Power to the Peaceful.
[on her role in The Frozen Ground (2013)] Ever since I was really young, I wanted to play a prostitute. It’s just, like, thrilling as an actor to put yourself in a situation you, personally, would never be in. At the end of the day, you’re just a kid playing pretend, so if you’re going to do it, might as well go crazy with it.
Died February 5, 2021 · Weston, Connecticut, USA (complications from a fall)
Birth name Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer
QUOTES:
Unless you can surround yourself with as many beautiful things as you can afford, I don’t think life has very much meaning.
I’m bored with questions about acting.
[on working with Dame Julie Andrews] Working with her is like being hit over the head with a Valentine’s card.
[2011, a revised opinion on The Sound of Music (1965)] People were unnaturally sentimental about the film. So I always gave it a tough time. But a few years ago, I went to an Easter party and had to watch the damn thing with these kids. I was a prisoner! And then I thought, it’s got everything – the lovely songs, the Nazis and the nuns and the kids. It’s timeless and I’m grateful for it.
[on receiving a Screen Actors Guild award for Beginners (2010)] I just can’t tell you what fun I’ve had being a member of the world’s second oldest profession. When they honor you, it’s like being lit by the holy grail.
[on the ability to convey a sense of pathos] Very few people have it naturally – Chaplin, Brando. It’s a gift. But you can learn how to fake it.
Ewan (McGregor) doesn’t act, he inhabits a role. And, of course, he makes you not act and inhabit the role, like it’s a competition. I owe that to him.
Born December 13, 1957 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Spouse Jo Andres (1987 – January 6, 2019) (her death, 1 child)
Birth name Steven Vincent Buscemi
QUOTES:
My favorite review described me as the cinematic equivalent of junk mail. I don’t know what that means, but it sounds like a dig.
In the beginning, it wasn’t even a question of deciding I’m going to do independent film and not commercial films — I wasn’t being offered any commercial films, and there wasn’t an independent scene. I did a lot of “so-called” independent films that were really low-budget films trying to be commercial. But you certainly make choices when you have a script written by Jim Jarmusch or the Coen brothers or Alexandre Rockwell; I think any actor would feel lucky to be able to work on projects like that.
It’s weird; I was not a really tough guy in high school, but I end up playing all of these psychopaths and criminals. I don’t really care who they are, as long as they are complicated and going through something that I can understand and put across.
As much as you tell yourself, ‘We made the film and here it is and that is enough,’ you would like to come away with something.
LOS ANGELES – JUN 2: Jamie Foxx at the 17th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at Private Residence on June 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, CAScreenshot
Born December 13, 1967 · Terrell, Texas, USA
Birth name Eric Marlon Bishop
QUOTES:
[on wearing prosthetic eyelids which made him blind in Ray (2004)] After six hours of being blind, you lose the sense of how a person is physically. It was amazing to hear the little buzzing voices all around you.
[2005 Academy Awards acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Ray (2004)] I guess we got to do it again. “Oh, ah!” Yeah, you’re ready. That’s for Ray Charles. Give it up for Ray Charles and his beautiful legacy. And thank you, Ray Charles, for living.
I got so many people to thank tonight. First I want to start it out with Taylor Hackford. Taylor, you took a chance, man. I mean that love for Ray Charles was deep, down in the earth. It’s cracked open. And it’s spilling. And everybody’s drowning in this love. I thank you for taking a chance on this film. And thank you for waiting 15 years to get me to do it. I want to thank you. I want to thank Crusader. I want to thank my agents. I want to thank Rick Kurtzman. I want to thank Kim Hodges. I want to thank Steve Smooke. I want to thank my managers, Jaime King [Jaime Rucker King] and Marcus King. Let’s live this African-American dream. It’s beautiful. I’m glad I’m with you. I ain’t never leaving you. I’m glad I’m with you.
I got a chance to meet a whole lot of people, experiencing this. And other people I want to thank, I want to thank my sister. Four feet, eleven inches of nothing but pure love. I want to thank my daughter for telling me just before I got up here, “If you don’t win, dad, you’re still good.
I’m just … I see Oprah [Oprah Winfrey] and I see Halle [Halle Berry]. I just want to say your names. I want to talk to you later. Both of you. Because Oprah got — allowed me to meet somebody by the name of Sidney Poitier. And, yes, Sidney Poitier said, “I saw you once. And I looked in your eyes and there was a connection.” And he says, “I give to you responsibility.” So, I’m taking that responsibility tonight. And, thank you, Sidney.
Spouses Richard Oscar Erickson(December 29, 1995 – present) Mitch Glazer(January 1982 – November 19, 1989) (divorced)
QUOTES:
[Commenting on a “National Enquirer” story about her and her husband] They talked about me as if I were Mother Teresa, and that every time I get a paycheck, I go and send it to poor people, and that we spend every free moment helping out people less fortunate.
Festival Reviews 