Vtape is delighted to share Inside Out’s 35th anniversary programming Run It Back, a free retro screening series at Paradise Theatre running throughout the year. The series celebrates the rich history of queer cinema with legendary classics and rare gems that have shaped the festival since 1991. Over the past 35 years, Inside Out has showcased powerful, diverse, and captivating queer films, and this series delves into its extensive archive to honor the evolution of queer storytelling.
About Homotown Heroes:
For 35 years, Inside Out has had the privilege of showcasing the work of Canadian filmmakers, providing a platform for emerging voices in queer cinema. This shorts program celebrates the vibrant legacy of queer film in Toronto, spotlighting the trailblazers who have shaped Inside Out’s history and left a lasting impact on the city and beyond.
Films Included
- Midnight at the Continental (2015) Sonya Reynolds and Lauren Hortie
- 13 Eggs (2022) TJ Cuthand
- The Housesitter (2001) Melissa Levin
- Passing (2015) Lucah Rosenberg-Lee
- Steam Clean (1990) Richard Fung
- Making of Monsters (1991) John Greyson
Screening time & info:
Tuesday March 25th, at 6:30pm
Paradise Theatre (1006c Bloor St W, Toronto)
You can find more information about Run It Back: Homotown Heroes here
Check out Inside Out on Facebook Instagram and on their Website for more!
Films Included (extended descriptions)
Midnight at the Continental (2015) Dir. Sonya Reynolds and Lauren Hortie
An animated and archival documentary about a bar called The Continental which opened in 1955 and became the meeting place for two of Toronto’s marginalized communities: Chinese-Canadian men and lesbians living “the life” full time.
13 Eggs (2022) Dir. TJ Cuthand
Over four years, Cuthand collected footage to talk about his experience trying to make a baby. He managed to freeze thirteen eggs, but unfortunately, had to stop halfway through. Instead, he made a film about grieving this commonly shared life goal.
The Housesitter (2001) Dir. Melissa Levin
Two neurotic dykes describe, in hilarious detail, how to take care of their three cats.
Passing (2015) Dir. Lucah Rosenberg-Lee
A short documentary profiling the lives of three transgender Black men, exploring what life is like living as a Black man when no one knows you are transgender, and their journeys with gender in the years since they transitioned.
Steam Clean (1990) Dir. Richard Fung
Two men perform a safe sex public service announcement.
Making of Monsters (1991) Dir. John Greyson
A bold, genre-busting musical, Making of Monsters reimagines the 1985 murder of a gay teacher in Toronto’s High Park, blending satire, music, and political critique to explore macho-hetero culture, artistic creation, and gay pride.
Image credit: Steam Clean, Richard Fung (1990)