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Oscar winner for A Fantastic Woman, Sebastian Lelio, helms this sensual, thoughtful project that intersects female desire with Orthodox Judaism and grief that one of its stars, Rachel Weisz shepherded to the big screen. Based on Naomi Alderman's 2006 novel, the film tells the story of Weisz’s Ronit who's escaped the cloistered environment of her youth to return to the north London neighborhood where she grew up upon learning of her father the rabbi’s death. There she rekindles a romance with her first love Esti (Rachel McAdams), a lesbian who denied her true desire for her faith and married hers and Ronit's childhood friend Dovid (Allesandro Nivola).
Much ado has been made about the culminating “liberating” sex scene between Weisz and costar Rachel McAdams that unfolds partway through the film. And while it’s quite something to behold, Disobedience is really a meditation on freedom, choice, and remaining true to one’s self.
OutRight, an organization that supports international LGBT rights, is hosting its annual Celebration of Courage fundraiser at the Chelsea Piers in New York City. This year, the group is honoring Georges Azzi, the executive director of the Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality, as well as Lois Whitman, a children's rights activist. The May 14 event will be hosted by Queer Eye's Karamo Brown. So be fab, and find tickets at outrightinternational.org.
Ben Hazlewood has released the music video for his song "Months & Miles." In the clip, which is filmed in Los Angeles, the Australian pop artist sings of homesickness and missing loved ones, including his real-life husband, who is featured. The video is also a treat for fashion lovers, as Hazlewood shows off couture like Gucci, Supreme, and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as vintage items. Watch it below.
CNN political commentator and The Daily Beast columnist Sally Kohn has been on both side of the ring; she's written for The New York Times and contributed on Fox News. Her book about making friends across the aisle while going head to head with them on divisive issues is a meaningful look on how to approach the post-Trump world. This book explores the meaning of hate from implicit bias to racism to genocide, confronting her own prejudices and taking responsibility. Plus, it's the only book you'll find with glowing reviews from Ms. Magazine, Sarah Silverman, and Sean Hannity.
Purchase The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity here.
In New York on Monday night? If so, don't miss the staged reading of Tricks, queer playwright Michael Shayan's dark comedy. Starring Drag Race star Monet X Change, the reading happens at the La MaMa Experimental Theater Club on 4th Street in the East Village. The Tricks reading is part of La MaMa's 18th annual "Experiments" Play Reading Series; admission is free but a donation is suggested. More info here.
What happens if you live out an entire relationship in 24 hours is the central conceit of Duck Butter directed by Miguel Arteta (Beatriz at Dinner, The Good Girl) and with a script from Arteta and one of its stars, out actress Alia Shawkat (Search Party, Transparent). Shawkat plays Naima, a struggling actress whose inability to be truly honest helps her blow a chance to work on a Duplass brothers' film. She meets the free-spirited Sergio, played by Spanish actress Laia Costa (Victoria), at a club and there is instant chemistry.
Following an initial brief encounter, the pair embarks on a 24-hour experiment of living out the highs and lows of a relationship in a single day that includes a pact to have sex once every hour. A thoughtful meditation on authenticity in relationships, the 24-hour experiment was shot in 25 hours where the actors and part of the crew stayed awake the entire time.
Tickets are still available for a Saturday night showing of Drag Becomes Her at the Montalban Theatre in Hollywood. Starring Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCreme, & Peaches Christ, this gender-bending take on the absurdly hilarious 1992 Streep/Hawn/Willis flick is guaranteed to turn your head 360 degrees. Click here for more information and tickets.
