2018 OUTFEST LOS ANGELES
LGBT FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES GALA SCREENINGS
Liza Minelli, Bianca Jagger, Andy Warhol, and
Halston at Studio 54.
Photographer: Adam Schull
Studio
54
(Opening Night Gala)
Director: Matt Tyrnauer
When
disco was the epicenter of popular culture, Studio 54 was the
epicenter of disco. Brooklyn-born college pals Steve Rubell
and Ian Schrager took a former opera house and CBS studio (where
“What’s My Line?” and “Captain Kangaroo” filmed) in what was
at the time one of New York City’s sketchiest neighborhoods
and turned it into a dance palace known the world over. Extroverted
gay Rubell and introverted straight Schrager (the latter giving
his most extensive interview to date about Studio 54) were a
powerful team – but the swirl of sex, drugs, celebrity, and
tax evasion brought this phenomenon to an end, as did the advent
of Ronald Reagan, the AIDS crisis, and the “Disco Sucks” backlash.
But oh, what heady times there were during Studio 54’s heyday,
which this vibrant documentary captures, mixing vintage interviews
(Michael Jackson!) with reminiscences from the doormen, bartenders,
and paparazzi who experienced the thrills and the beats on the
dance floor and in the infamous balcony. There may never again
be such a stately pleasure dome as Studio 54, but Matt Tyrnauer’s
documentary pays homage to the hedonism, the hubris, and the
outrageous delights that took place under the lights, behind
the scenes, and on the other side of the velvet ropes.
ABOUT OUTFEST
Celebrating its 36th anniversary, Outfest was founded by UCLA
students in 1982 who were looking for positive images of themselves
in media. Today Outfest is the world’s leading organization
that promotes equality by creating, sharing, and protecting
LGBTQ stories on the screen. Outfest builds community by connecting
diverse populations to discover, discuss, and celebrate stories
of LGBTQ lives. Over the past three decades, Outfest has showcased
thousands of films from around the world, educated and mentored
hundreds of emerging filmmakers, and protected more than 37,000
LGBTQ films and videos. Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival
is 11 days of world-class films, panels, and parties.
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