Get Into The Spirit Of Mardi Gras With Our Special Screening Of ‘Laurence Anyways’
Curated by SBS' Patrick Abboud, the night will also feature a Q&A with American trans activist Calpernia Addams.
It’s nearly that time of year again. From February 20 – March 8, Sydney gets a little bit more festive and the rest of the country looks on in joyless, glitterless rage. But, if you do find yourself amidst the celebrations next week, you should totally come hang out with us.
On Wednesday February 25 we’ll be hosting a special screening of Laurence Anyways at Golden Age Cinema. The night has been curated by Walkley-nominated journalist and SBS Mardi Gras presenter Patrick Abboud (The Feed), and will feature a Q&A with American trans activist, actress, musician and LGBTIQ icon Calpernia Addams, who’s in town for the Mardi Gras.
Released a couple of years ago, Laurence Anyways tells the story of Laurence, a 30-year-old trans woman during her initial transition. It delves into the difficulties she faces in her ongoing relationship with a woman — and the impact it has on her family, friends and community at large.
Directed by the then 23-year-old wunderkind Xavier Dolan, the film received widespread critical acclaim overseas, landing it the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival — a feat that the French Canadian filmmaker followed-up on, winning the Cannes’ Jury Prize last year for his most recent film Mommy.
Abboud and Addams will be using Nolan’s film as a jumping off point in a discussion about trans stories and issues. In just the past few years, we’ve finally started to see trans actors occupying major roles on our screens — think Laverne Cox in Orange is the New Black — with entire series being crafted on sexual identities that were previously overlooked or subjugated to trivial sideplots in other shows. Like, for instance, Transparent. Starring Jeffrey Trambor of Arrested Development fame, the series deals with a middle-aged trans woman coming out to her family after decades of keeping her true identity hidden. It’s hilarious, nuanced and incredibly progressive — but it’s also the most popular show on new Australian streaming service Stan. I’ll repeat that: a clever and insightful show about a middle-aged trans woman is currently rating better than The Block.
Grab a ticket, come along, watch a film, and discuss a thing.
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Junkee Movie Night: Laurence Anyways
Featuring a Q&A between Patrick Abboud and Calpernia Addams
Wednesday February 25, from 8.15pm @ Golden Age Cinema and Bar, Surry Hills
For more information, head over to the Golden Age Cinema website.