LOS ANGELES — Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, announced Friday the January and February installments of the Downtown 30 film screening series. The monthly series presents new and classic films of interest to LGBT audiences.
Wednesday, January 30: “Yentl” (1983): Downtown 30 celebrates the 30th anniversary of Barbra Streisand’s landmark directorial debut, a sweeping and passionate musical about the price of hiding who you are to get what you want. Streisand stars as Anshel, a brilliant woman who must disguise herself as a man to study the Talmud. Once she becomes “Yeshiva boy” Yentl, she is forced to hide her love for classmate Avigdor (Mandy Patinkin), even if it means marrying the beautiful Hadass (Oscar nominee Amy Irving). “Yentl” is gorgeous and romantic, with great songs by Michel Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman, but it’s also one of the big screen’s most heartfelt examinations of living life in — and eventually, out — of the closet. Scr. Jack Rosenthal and Barbra Streisand, based on the story “Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy” by Isaac Bashevis Singer; dir. Barbra Streisand. Digital; 132 min.
Wednesday, February 27, 9:00pm: “Sticky Fingers” (1988): Actress Melanie Mayron and director Catlin Adams (who both co-wrote the script) and other special guests will join us for the 25th anniversary screening of this outrageous cult comedy. Mayron (“thirtysomething”) and Helen Slater (“Supergirl”, “The Legend of Billie Jean”) star as Lolly and Hattie, two broke classical musicians who go on a madcap shopping spree when a shady friend of their leaves them a suitcase full of cash for safekeeping. Craziness ensues when they realize they’ve spent all the money, just when the rightful owners are coming around to collect. Featuring an all-star comic ensemble — including Christopher Guest, Carol Kane, Eileen Brennan, Shirley Stoler, Danitra Vance, Loretta Devine and Gwen Welles — and some of the most outrageously 1988 hair and fashion choices ever captured on film, “Sticky Fingers” may be the greatest ’80s movie you’ve never seen. Scr. Catlin Adams & Melanie Mayron; dir. Catlin Adams. 35mm; 97 minutes.
Downtown 30 takes place at 7:00pm (note new time) at the Downtown Independent, 251 S. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at brownpapertickets.com.