On August 9th at the Bell Street Chapel, “Invisible,” “Vis a Vis,” and “Aban + Khorshid” will be showing at 4:15pm as part of the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
“Invisible:” The streets of Providence, Rhode Island are home to a group of men who make a meager living selling their bodies. Unlike other cities in America, Providence is also home to Richard Holcomb, a former male sex worker now community activist struggling to help this population. In his journey to found an outreach center in the Providence, Richard and the crew dive into a world of sex and addiction that goes unnoticed by the community at large. In his efforts, Richard meets young men like Anthony and Adam, who desperately seek a way out of the lifestyle but find themselves trapped by the system. On their way they will have to confront their sexual history in the open, an uncomfortable place for men who identify as straight. Meanwhile, Rich gets increasingly frustrated with an HIV-prevention bureaucracy that seems eager to help but is slow to move forward.
“Vis a Vis:” Workaholic Lara is having the day from hell and the last thing she needs is to spend her time interviewing smug couples about their endlessly fulfilling love lives.When she pays a home visit to a bubbly gay couple (Ricky and Martin) who are seeking De Facto visa status a hidden agenda becomes apparent causing Lara to reevaluate her own life and make some big decisions.‘VIS à VIS’ is a bittersweet, topical, offbeat comedy that looks at the choices we make and the lengths we go to for the ones we love.
“Aban + Khorshid:” In Iran in 2005, a photo was taken of two men on the day they were executed for being gay. While seeming completely unthinkable, executions based on sexuality still happen, even within the last ten years. The photo of this atrocious act serves as the inspiration for the film, Aban + Khorshid.
Now in its 18th year, FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival™ (RIIFF) will take place August 5-10, 2014. The Festival has become a leading juried competition showcase for international independent filmmakers and their work. In 2013, Flickers screened 216 cinematic works in six days to large and appreciative crowds. The films screened came from 65 countries, and 36 states in the United States. During the 2013 Festival, there were 55 World and US/North American Premieres. A total of 21 Narrative Feature, 43 Feature/Documentaries and 152 Short Films were screened. Following months of adjudication and review, Festival films were selected from over 5,114 submissions.
