Logo today announced the launch of Logo Documentary Films, a new division created to share stories that capture LGBT life and culture in all its diversity.
Beginning in June with LGBT Pride Month, Logo will premiere a new film each month, including 2 covered on this blog: "Out in the Night" from director: blair dorosh-walther; and "Versailles ’73: An American Revolution," directed by Deborah Riley Draper.
The creation of Logo Documentary Films follows the network’s Emmy win for "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word," a film on transgender youth that premiered on Logo and MTV last fall. The documentary was recognized with a Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Special Class Special category.
Logo Documentary Films’ slate launches with blair dorosh-walther’s "Out in the Night," premiering on Monday, June 22 at 10 p.m. on Logo and simultaneously on PBS’ "POV (Point of View)" series. The film tells the story of a group of African American lesbian women who were violently and sexually threatened by a man in Greenwich Village in 2006, and later vilified in the media and charged with attempted murder for defending themselves. For the first time on film, the women tell their side of the story. "Out in the Night" is a co-production of ITVS and a co-presentation with the National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC).
"We are thrilled to partner with Logo on this landmark broadcast, which marks POV’s first simulcast with a cable network," said Chris White, POV’s Executive Producer. "Out in the Night, which kicks off our 28th season on PBS, is a gripping look at this case and the lives it affected, as well as a timely examination of the role that race, gender and sexual identity play in the mainstream media and the criminal justice system."
Meanwhile, in Deborah Riley Draper’s "Versailles ’73: An American Revolution," the five lions of French couture – Givenchy, Dior, Ungaro, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin – are pitted against five upstart American designers – Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows and Bill Blass – in the legendary fashion show face-off staged at the Palace of Versailles in 1973. The film recounts the event’s beginnings as a fundraiser to restore the Palace of Versailles, to the competition that emerged between the lions of haute couture, to the ultimate upset when American designs outshined the French and forever changed the course of fashion history with great clothes and, what was considered the tour de force of the event, the black models who sashayed down the runway.
"LGBT culture is rich with remarkable stories and storytellers and, with Logo Documentary Films, we’ve committed to bringing films that bring the vivid color of the experience to life," said Pamela Post, Logo’s Head of Original Programming. "These films entertain, enlighten, and deeply engage, and we’re proud to share them with our audience."
Additional film titles in Logo Documentary Films’ 2015-2016 slate include "Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine," "Gen Silent," "Out & Around," and "The IF Project."
"This year Logo celebrates its 10 year anniversary and the advancements in LGBT rights during that time have been remarkable," said Chris McCarthy, Logo’s General Manager. "We are honored to partner with these filmmakers to share the stories that will shape the next era of the LGBT movement for equality."
Logo Documentary Films’ 2015-2016 Slate:
– "Out in the Night" (Director: blair dorosh-walther)
Under the neon lights in a gay-friendly neighborhood of New York City, four young African-American lesbians are violently and sexually threatened by a man on the street. They defend themselves against him and are branded by the media as a ‘Gang of Killer Lesbians’ and subsequently charged with assault and attempted murder.
– "Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine" (Director: Michele Josue)
Almost 20 years since his tragic death, Michele Josue, filmmaker and childhood friend of Matthew Shepard, interviews family, friends, and the people who knew him best in this award-winning film. Police investigators and the bartender who last saw him alive on that fateful night are also featured.
– "Out and Around" (Director: Lauren Fash and Ryan Suffern)
A young lesbian couple travels through Asia, Africa, and South America over one year to discover what "equality" means outside the West. During the trip, they get engaged and fight their own battle for acceptance with their family. Lisa Dazols and Jennifer Chang documented 120 hours of video on their journey.
– "Versailles ’73: An American Revolution" (Director: Deborah Riley Draper)
The five lions of French couture Givenchy, Dior, Ungaro, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin are pitted against five upstart American designers Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Anne Klein, Stephen Burrows and Bill Blass in the legendary fashion show face-off staged at the Palace of Versailles in 1973.
– "Gen Silent" (Director: Stu Maddux)
Those who fought the earliest battles for equality now face so much fear about discrimination in health care/long-term care that they hide their past lives, are afraid to ask for help, and die earlier. But, a small group of professionals is trying to change that. Gen Silent is told through the eyes of six LGBT seniors in Boston, Massachusetts.
– "The IF Project" (Director: Kathlyn Horan)
A Seattle police officer started a writing program to try and understand how inmates ended up on a criminal path. The IF Project stemmed from a collection of essays after the following question was asked: "If there was something someone could have said or done to change the path that led you here what would it have been?"
