From the "On The Scene" Archives:

by Carl Russo

Echoing the gargantuan campaign for Hollywood's latest monster movie, Frameline's Executive Director Michael Lumpkin declared, "Size does indeed matter!"

Lumpkin appeared before the press yesterday morning to introduce the 22nd San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, this year expanding to an eleven day run from June 18-28. A record 281 films (including 51 features) from 24 countries will screen at the Castro, Roxie, and Victoria theaters here in San Francisco.

Opening night kicks off on the eve of the city's Pride Celebration with the local premiere of Lisa Cholodenko's debut feature, "High Art." The drama, starring Ally Sheedy and Radha Mitchell, examines the budding and awkward relationship of a rising magazine editor and a famous photographer in early retirement. Director and cast will be on hand at a pre-film reception.

Jennifer Tilly joins co-stars Lori Petty and Mitchell Anderson at the Castro to close the fest June 28 with the premiere of "Relax It's Just Sex." Director P. J. Castellanetaís second feature is a "pan-sexual comedy/drama" about a gay writer in search of a boyfriend who agrees to father a straight woman's child.

Controversy has followed two of the fest's eagerly anticipated debuts. Mohamed Camara's "Dakan" is considered to be the first West African film to depict homosexuality. Shot secretly in urban Guinea, the story concerns two young men who come out in a society that does not recognize sexual difference. Similar attitudes at home affected Ferzan Ozpetek's bisexually-themed "Steam" when the Turkish government retracted its Best Foreign-Language Film nomination for an Oscar last year.

Just added to the fest's lineup is a preview screening June 26 of the latest docudrama by Mark Rappaport ("Rock Hudson's Home Movies," "From the Journals of Jean Seberg"). "The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender," starring Dan Butler of TVís "Frasier," surveys studio treatment of gay issues during Hollywood's Golden Age.

Other independent features highlighting the schedule include Tim Kirkman's "Dear Jesse" (US), Zhang Yuan's "East Palace, West Palace" (China/France), Angelina Maccarone's "Everything Will Be Fine" (Germany), Paul Oremland's "Like It Is" (UK), Lydia Dean Pilcherís "Reno Finds Her Mom" (US), Kevin DiNovis' "Surrender Dorothy" (US), Bernard Salzman's "The Unknown Cyclist" (US) and Will Gould's "The Wolves of Kromer" (UK).

The 1998 Frameline Award for outstanding contributions to lesbian and gay media arts will be given to independent producer Dolly Hall. Hall produced Ang Lee's Oscar-nominated "The Wedding Banquet," "The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love," "All Over Me," and this year's festival opener, "High Art."

Two panel discussions are slotted free of charge to the public: "Why Are There So Few Lesbian Features?," moderated by Film Finders' president Sydney Levine on June 19, and "Tranny Boyz Talk Sex, Porn and Videotape," with film clips, chaired by photographer Del LaGrace Volcano on June 26.

The San Francisco Cinematheque will co-present a six-part series entitled "Queer Innovators," which honors "the contributions experimental lesbian and gay filmmakers have made to the history of cinema." Features and shorts from such stellar experimentalists as Jean Genet, Chantal Ackerman, Kenneth Anger, Jack Smith, George Kuchar and Ulrike Ottinger fill the program.

Frameline is the festival's parent non-profit organization which funds and distributes gay films and video projects, many of which are being featured this year.

[Tickets for the 22nd San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival go on sale May 28, 1998. For information call (415) 703-8663 or visit their website at www.frameline.org]