Richard Chamberlain isn’t the only person (or movie!) appearing at the USA Film Festival (which runs through Sunday) with ties to the gay community. In addition to the already-screened opening night films Disobedience and We the Animals, about a third of this year’s slate of shorts, documentaries, features and programming boast some gay interest. Here’s a primer on what to look for this weekend (all screenings at Angelika Film Center Mockingbird Station).
FRIDAY
Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story. Aucoin grew up in Louisiana where it was hard being a gay kid, but when he arrived in New York City, he was in his element, becoming the most in-demand makeup artist for much of the 1980s and ’90s, though he died mysteriously at the height of his fame. This documentary explores his life and legacy. 7 p.m.
Texas Shorts Program. Contains gay-interest short films with a Texas tie. 9 p.m.
Animated Short Program. Contains gay-interest cartoons. 9 p.m. Free.
Narrative Short Program. Contains gay-interest short films. 9:30 p.m. Free.
SATURDAY
The Last Wave/Salute to Richard Chamberlain. See feature story. 7 p.m.
A Kid Like Jake. Native Texan (and out Emmy winner) Jim Parsons and Claire Danes star as the parents of a gender-non-conforming preschooler in an adaptation of out writer Daniel Pearle’s play; Pearle will be in attendance. 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
That Way Madness Lies… Queer filmmaker Sandra Luckow (Belly Talkers) shows the descent into mental illness by turning the camera on her own brother. 4 p.m.
The Gospel According to Andre. Flamboyant fashion guru Andre Leon Talley, an indelible figure in the Vogue documentary The September Issue, gets his own full-length treatment as one of the most influential tastemakers of his generation. 7 p.m.
— Arnold Wayne Jones