OCFF 2024 CLOSING NIGHT: COMMUNITY DRAG THEATER (The Work of Tom Rubnitz) | IN-PERSON (4/7)
OCFF 2024 CLOSING NIGHT: COMMUNITY DRAG THEATER (The Work of Tom Rubnitz) | IN-PERSON (4/7)
The Closing Night of the 34th Onion City Experimental Film Festival.
Chicago Filmmakers (map) | April 7 at 7PM
Presented in partnership with Nightingale Projects and Video Data Bank, programmed by Emily Eddy.
Post-Screening: George William Price in conversation with Emily Eddy.
“A quintessential New York underground film/video artist, the late Tom Rubnitz took a bite out of the Big Apple and spat it out in a wild kaleidoscope of unequivocal camp and hallucinogenic color. Ann Magnuson, the B-52s, The “Lady” Bunny, and the late John Sex are but a few of the stars that shine oh-so-brightly in Rubnitz’s glittering oeuvre. A genre artist par excellence, Rubnitz treated the sexy-druggy-wiggy-luscious-desserty qualities of the ’80s downtown club scene with the loving care only a true hedonist could show. Rubnitz died from an AIDS-related illness in 1992.” - Video Data Bank
Chicago Filmmakers does not deny admission to those who do not have the ability to make a donation. Please email coop [at] chicagofilmmakers.org to inquire about free admission.
The work of Tom Rubnitz can be described by an array of adjectives including sexy, glamorous, campy, hallucinogenic, hedonistic, joyful, and romantic, but the heart of the work is the New York City queer community who collaborated on this bouquet of images from the 1980s-90s.
Originally from Chicagoland, Tom Rubnitz, a New York transplant, injected both humor and clarity into the deadliest decade of the AIDS crisis. From playful takes on advertising and drag performances at the renowned Pyramid Club to more serious commentary, such as his collaboration with artist and writer David Wojnarowicz, this program describes a decade of queer culture, performance, and friendship.
Program:
Chicken Elaine, 1983, 1:00
Made for TV, 1984, 15:00
Hustle With My Muscle, 1986, 4:00
The Mother Show, 1991, 4:00
From the Files of the Pyramid Cocktail Lounge, 6:00
Listen to This, 1992, 15:30
Drag Queen Marathon, 1986, 5:00
Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema
In-person screenings are held at Chicago Filmmakers’ Firehouse Cinema located at 1326 W. Hollywood Ave in the Edgewater neighborhood. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to showtime and be ready to present your order confirmation number for admission.
