LADY CHAMPAGNE is a bold, irreverent comedy that follows the outrageous life of Champagne Horowitz Jones Dickerson White, a notorious San Francisco erotic dancer. When she is framed for her husband’s murder, Champagne is thrust into a chaotic adventure filled with corrupt businesswomen, bumbling detectives and brutal prison guards. Directed by D’Arcy Drollinger, the film embraces camp, absurdity and unapologetic humor, drawing comparisons to classic spoof comedies. Packed with eccentric characters and high-energy antics, it delivers a playful, subversive take on crime and identity within a vibrant queer world.Director D’Arcy Drollinger is scheduled to attend.
Genre: Comedy
Desperate Living
Following the unrepentant outrageousness of Pink Flamingos and Female Trouble, director John Waters brought his notorious trash trilogy to a fittingly twisted close with this antifascist fairy tale. After hysterical housewife Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole) murders her husband with the help of her fed-up housekeeper (Jean Hill), the newfound sisters in crime escape to the bizarro shantytown of Mortville, a depraved penal colony presided over by a despotic queen (Edith Massey) whose tyranny pushes her subjects to shocking revolt. Deviant cops, death by dog food, DIY surgery Waters unleashes all this and more in an at once relentlessly warped and oddly moral vision of queer rebellion.New 4K digital restoration by the Criterion Collection, supervised and approved by director John Waters.“Here’s what I love best about Criterion’s restoration of Desperate Living; the detail of Van Smith’s costume and Vincent Peranio’s production design, some of which I saw for the first time after watching again, and glimpses of nudity I never noticed before.” —John Waters
Stop! That! Train! (Opening Night Film)
STOP! THAT! TRAIN! follows best friends Tess (Ginger Minj) and DeeDee (Jujubee), train stewardesses who trade their dreary shifts on the Stank Rail for the glitzy Glamazonian Express. When a catastrophic “Stormaganza” threatens to derail the high-speed train and crash it into Los Angeles, the duo in coach must join forces with the snobby first-class attendants (Symone, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Marcia Marcia Marcia) and President Gagwell (RuPaul) to save the day in this wild ride of camp and comedy.Director Adam Shankman and Marcia Marcia Marcia are scheduled to attend Opening Night.Opening Night Film tickets include the Opening Night Party following the screening – 9-11pm at Crown & Anchor.
She Keeps Me Young
Michelle (Blair Beeken), adrift in the aftermath of a tragic accident, floats through her days in the company of her overbearing best friend, Kelly (Katy Fullan), until one evening, Michelle and Kelly meet Bridget, a vibrant, artistic high-schooler. When Bridget innocently asks Michelle to model for a school photography project, an unexpected friendship forms—one that begins to challenge Kelly’s hold on Michelle in ways both uncomfortable and absurdly comedic. First-time director Doron Max Hagay co-wrote the film with his two lead actors, and their long-standing creative collaboration is infused throughout the story. At turns humorous, awkward, and peppered with melancholy and tenderness, SHE KEEPS ME YOUNG is an exploration of evolving, complex relationships filled with a refreshing dose of honesty.Director Doron Max Hagay and writer/star Blair Beeken are scheduled to attend.
See You When I See You
Indie stalwart Jay Duplass, at the festival last year with The Baltimorons, returns with this touching and timely dramedy of grief and trauma, in which a comedy writer battles PTSD after the tragic death of his sister. Writer Adam Cayton-Holland translates his own deeply personal memoir Tragedy Plus Time: A Tragi-Comic Memoir for the screen in this terrifically empathetic family drama. Lead Cooper Raiff is surrounded by a terrific all-star supporting cast—David Duchovny, Hope Davis, Kaitlyn Dever, and Lucy Boynton—playing a close-knit family of characters who are each struggling in their own way.
Power Ballad
When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves—even if it means risking everything he cares about. In the lead roles, Rudd and Jonas display a winning odd-couple bromance chemistry, while writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once) creates yet another feel-good funny film that immerses us in a musical world while also delivering an authentic examination of the nature of human relationships. “Like the catchiest pop hits, it’s a little bit familiar, a little bit unexpected and utterly, thrillingly satisfying.” — The Hollywood Reporter
The Musical
When a frustrated playwright and middle school theater teacher finds out his ex-girlfriend has started dating his nemesis—the school’s principal—he decides to ruin the principal’s chances of winning the Blue Ribbon of Academic Excellence.In her constantly surprising feature debut, director Giselle Bonilla delivers a darkly funny, delightfully-twisted ode to the inspirational power of spite. Alexander Heller’s screenplay offers a witty takedown of public school performance culture and riffs on the politics of the theater world.Tony-winner Will Brill captivatingly embodies Doug’s stewing toxic resentment as he transforms from an uncharismatic sad sack into a hilariously dastardly antihero, supported by veteran actors Rob Lowe and Gillian Jacobs as the couple whose relationship spurs Doug’s quest for revenge.“… riotously funny at its most daring.” — VarietyDirector Giselle Bonilla is scheduled to attend.
Maddie’s Secret
MADDIE’S SECRET is comedian, writer, and actor John Early’s critically acclaimed directorial debut, in which he stars as Maddie, a plucky dishwasher who leaps to viral superstardom at a trendy food content creation company. While her life looks picturesque—complete with an adoring husband (Eric Rahill), ride-or-die best friend (Kate Berlant), and a cupboard full of woman-owned ethically-sourced chili crisp to boot—mounting professional pressures threaten to reawaken a hidden secret from Maddie’s troubled past. A pitch-perfect blend of satire, melodrama, daring tonal shifts and intimate performances, the film marks a bold new voice in contemporary cinema.“… like a Lifetime movie made by Comedy Central, marrying a dramatic premise with playfully absurd twists.” — The Hollywood ReporterDirector John Early is scheduled to attend.
I Want Your Sex
When fresh-faced Elliot (Cooper Hoffman) lands a job with artist and provocateur Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde), his fantasies come true as she taps him to become her sexual muse. But Elliot soon finds himself out of his depth, as Erika takes him on a journey into a world of sex, obsession, power, betrayal, and murder. Indie film fixture and 2006 Provincetown Filmmaker on the Edge Gregg Araki (The Doom Generation, Mysterious Skin) returns to the festival with his mischievous, funny defense of sex positivity in an increasingly prudish world. Cooper Hoffman delivers a star-making turn as the smitten Elliot, matched perfectly by Wilde’s gorgeous work in this timely and outrageous satire.“… raunchy, kinky and fun.” — Out.com
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
Midwestern bride-to-be Gail Daughtry has a “free celebrity pass” agreement with her fiancé—who suddenly uses it. With her relationship in crisis, Gail sets out on an epic journey through Hollywood to even the score.Writer/director David Wain’s (Wet Hot American Summer) newest star-studded screwball comedy is a beginning-to-end delight. Gail and her growing group of new friends’ absurd and adventurous caper through Hollywood is a wonderfully unique, occasionally bawdy, comic ride, with a treasure trove of terrific cameos along the way. Zoey Deutch delights as the sunny and sweet fish-out-of-water Gail, who is willing to go to any length to save her relationship.“… a throwback sex comedy that will leave you grinning ear to ear.” — Indiewire