Saturday, February 14, 2009

Join Me Sunday...

...as I lead a roundtable journalists discussion on the status of minorities in the movies at the annual Neonfest Film Festival's Sunday brunch. It's at 11 a.m. at Las Palmas Marichi Restaurant in Commercial Center at 953 E. Sahara, Suite A-27. The phone # there is 702-732-0010.

Here's the 411:

MINORITY REPORT
A Journalists Panel On The State Of Film Depiction For Gays, Blacks, Women and More

As the status of minorities changes in American culture, how is that reflected in the movies? This year's Oscar contenders offer some indications, with films about a slain gay civil rights leader and an Indian game show in the running for best picture and a spoof on black-face earning another star a supporting actor nomination, not to mention that the oft-scorned chick flick proved big box office business this year. What's changed? Did the historic Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama tussle last year alter public perceptions of women and blacks and is that being seen on screen? Has anything important shifted since the last time a major gay film, "Brokeback Mountain," was in the running for Best Picture? What about people with disabilities? Transgender people? Other races?

This will be a freewheeling panel in which the audience is encouraged to offer their views. Panelists include freelance journalist Steve Friess, independent filmmaker Marlene Adrian, Las Vegas Weekly film reviewer Josh Bell and Las Vegas Weekly staff writer T.R. Witcher.

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Steve, I'd love to attend, but have a previous commitment.