Eleven Days, Dozens of Films: Outfest 2009 Opens

By ALYSIA GRAY PAINTER

Updated 11:18 AM PST, Thu, Jul 9, 2009

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Outfest

Outfest, which has been in Los Angeles for the better part of three decades, is a major film festival, here, anywhere, doesn't matter, it is major. Majorer than major.

And if you know your majorer-than-major film festivals, and you do, we trust, you know that there will be film and video at Outfest 2009 (over 180), from many countries (over two dozen), and those works will be shown over the course of several days at many venues (eleven days in all, starting on Thursday, July 9th; the venues include DGA, REDCAT, the Ford Amphitheatre, and several others).

So, here's what's left for you to decide: what to see. We're particularly excited for "American Primitive" with Tate Donovan -- love, furniture making and Cape Cod in the '70s -- what's not to like? -- and the opening night drama "LA Mission"; Benjamin Bratt stars (the flick was written and directed by his brother Peter).

And are we taking a special shine to films with titles like "25 Things I Did During My Big Fat Lesbian Depression" and "Make the Yuletide Gay"? We really are.

And and and: a full-on "Funny Girl" screening/singalong! You may claim you know all the words to "Don't Rain on My Parade" and can belt 'em out a la Ms. Streisand. Better prove it at the Ford on July 16th.

Take time with the grids, take time with your personal calendar, take time to find the free screenings (called, with cheek, the "recession-proof film series"), take time to find the great parties. We said it was major. July 9-19th