2021 Damn These Heels Queer Festival

SHORTS PROGRAM 1: THROUGH THE CRACKS

Expired July 19, 2021 5:59 AM
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10 films in package
ALL THOSE SENSATIONS IN MY BELLY
While transitioning from male to female gender, Matia struggles with finding a genuine intimate relationship with a heterosexual man.
PERSONALS
An unexpected connection during an anonymous encounter pushes two socially anxious loners to risk vulnerability and find the intimacy they both yearn for.
THE BEAUTY PRESIDENT
"If a bad actor can be president, why not a good drag queen?" In 1992, Joan Jett Blakk made a historic bid for the White House as one of the first openly queer write-in candidates. Today, Terence Smith, the man behind the persona, reflects back on his place in gay rights history at the height of the AIDS crisis.
Closed captions available
HEAVEN REACHES DOWN TO EARTH
After Tau comes to a realization about their sexuality, it sets in motion a cascade of thoughts and emotions in Tumelo - nothing will ever be the same between them.
THE LETTER
The Letter is a film about letters: individual letters, epistolary letters, letters addressed to friends, to fathers, to neighbors, to lovers, and to passengers on that airplane, the one currently flying above your head.
Closed captions available
TORCH SONG
An XXY adolescent is rejected by his father at a suburban burning man ceremony.
Closed captions available
UNFOLD
Fragments of a lost relationship come alive after a glance.
THE NIGHT TRAIN
Oskar is on the night train, heading home after an interview in Stockholm. With a long night ahead of him, he makes eye contact with Ahmad.
DREAMER
For Fran, Los Angeles is where dreams come true. In his mind, it is where he will be allowed to pursue his passion for makeup and fashion. As he saves enough money for the move, he documents his journey through YouTube. However, Fran learns that following one's dream is a privilege not everyone has.
THROUGH THE CRACK - Post-Film Q&A
Director of Programming Ash Hoyles discusses with filmmakers from The Letter, Dreamer, The Night Train, and All Those Sensations In My Bell
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The short films in Through The Cracks are waiting for you somewhere in between. In vibrant, distinct shades of grey these stories exist in liminal space, where queerness feels most ripe and most right. Stories of those people, places, and experiences that are by definition undefinable constitute this program, defying categorization and proving the true value and energy in bursting out of binaries.

In 1992, Smith made history as the first queer, black, drag candidate to run for the President of the United States. His focus was not on winning, but rather on shedding light on the AIDS epidemic and LGBTQIA+ rights. He bravely used his voice to enlighten the world on the struggles of those affected by HIV/AIDS, many of whom were his friends. His philosophy and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights will never be forgotten; this film ensures it. 


A critical historical document for the drag community and LGBTQIA+ history, The Beauty President is a joyous time capsule, proving the power of generosity, resilience, and compassion.


The Beauty President, which has been presented at the SXSW film festival, is an inspiring documentary about trailblazer Terrence Smith and his drag persona Joan Jett Blakk. 


– Chris Schmunk, Damn These Heels programming committee member

  • Year
    2020
  • Runtime
    10 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    US
  • Rating
    Not Rated
  • Director
    Whitney Skauge
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