'Let's Queer!' Film Fest to Open in Central Seoul

By April Choi
Korea Times Intern

A collection of unusual love stories shakes up Myeong-dong in the "Let's Queer!" film festival with 12 original works at multiplex theater CQN, July 16-22.

Ranging from coming-of-age teen dramas to cult classics and a collection of Korean short films, the festival line-up provides a spectacular introduction to the world of gay films.

In the Taiwanese film "Eternal Summer" (2006), two childhood friends slowly grow apart when a newcomer enters their circle and the love triangle goes horribly wrong. As the three friends grow up, new feelings come to light, making everything very different. Viewers are in for a real treat __ the director and stars will drop by to give a talk and greet fans before screenings at 8:30 p.m. on July 21 and 3:00 p.m. July 22.

In Richard Glatzer's and Wash Westmoreland's "Quinceaner" (2006), which stunned crowds at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival winning both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award, two Mexican teens struggle with their sexuality and become estranged from their families.

Cult classics "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975) and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (2001) return to the screen at the request of fans. Both movies have a devoted following, with fans dressing up like the characters and either acting out the script or responding to the screen.

Don't miss "Queer Fever Night", a live drag queen performance before the showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at 8:30 p.m. Friday night.

You can also join the question and answer sessions with respective directors following the screenings of` "Road Movie" (Kim In-sik, 2002), 3:30 p.m. on July 17 and "Memento Mori" (Kim Tae-yong and Min Gyoo-dong, 1999), 5:30 p.m. July 22.

As the festival's poster states, "Are you sure you don't want to come over to this side?"

Tickets for all movies cost 6,000 won and can be purchased at the CQN Myeong-dong box office (8th floor) in northern Seoul, or in advance online at Open the link, Open the link, www.interpark.com, Open the link and Open the link. For more information, visit Open the link or call (02) 774-9002.