It's Showtime!
By Keith Boykin, in movies
Friday, December 7 2007, 9:49AM
Two years ago, I told you about an idea for "a brand new film with quirky, lovable and complex characters played by an amazing cast." Many of you even provided seed money to get the film started. Today, 2 years and 1 month after I first introduced the movie to you, I am proud to announce that "Dirty Laundry" will finally open in theaters this morning.
Making a movie is not an easy task, especially a movie with a black gay lead character. But this movie is also special because it is an independent film that was written, directed, produced and distributed by black people. The goal was to tell a universal story of a man coming to terms with his family and his family coming to terms with their "dirty laundry."
Hollywood isn't known for taking risks. Maybe that explains why a movie like this was created independently instead of through a major studio. I don't think Hollywood understands that there are black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who go to movies and yearn to see characters on the screen that mirror some part of their lives. But soon they will see. Times are slowly changing.
Years ago, Denzel Washington once famously told a young Will Smith to be careful about the role of Paul Poitier he played in the critically-acclaimed 1993 film "Six Degrees of Separation." Washington told Smith "don't be kissing no man." Smith did play the role but never kissed his male counterpart, and years later he regretted his decision. "My eyes weren't open enough to see that this is a piece of work. This is not me, this is Paul Poitier [the character he was portraying]. I think that I'm more mature now. I wish I had another shot at it," Smith said.
But it's not just Hollywood that has some learning to do. I don't think Black America fully understands the depth and complexity of the black LGBT community either. Yes we all know about the gay choir members and the gay hairdressers and the gay uncle who brings his "friend" to the family reunion. But we in the black community don't talk about this issue very often, and when we do talk about it we do so in shouts and whispers.
Witness the experience on Wednesday when executive producer Crystal McCrary Anthony and I spent three hours on Rev. Al Sharpton's live nationally syndicated radio show. Rev. Sharpton was very supportive and encouraged people to see the film for themselves, but a number of callers dialed up to quote Bible scriptures and complain about homosexuality. One caller even objected to the lack of positive images of black people in the movies. "Every time we see a black person in a movie they're a criminal or a drug dealer or a homosexual," he said.
I'm sorry, but I refuse to be compared to a criminal or a drug dealer. Being gay is not a negative thing, and showing a well-adjusted black gay character in a movie is not negative either. One of the things that attracted me to the movie in the first place is that it's a story of a black man taking care of his son. We don't see that often enough from Hollywood, and that is a positive message, even if the black man happens to be gay.
Of course, it will take more than one movie to stop homophobia in our midst. Homophobia will only stop when black LGBT people reclaim our power and make ourselves more visible in our families and our communities. But one movie can help to create the climate for us to reclaim our power by encouraging a long overdue conversation to take place.
"Dirty Laundry" opens in two theaters today, one in Los Angeles and the other in New York. It is scheduled to open in other select cities on December 28. I wish it could open all across America, but I also know that Hollywood doesn't quite understand that black LGBT people go to the movies. And I know that sometimes you have to take little steps before you can take big steps. But if enough people buy tickets and go to see the movie in those two theaters, it may open up the door for a wider release of other movies with black LGBT themes in the future.
Dirty Laundry opens in these two theaters today:
Clearview Chelsea Theater
260 West 23rd Street (between 7th & 8th)
New York, NY 10011
Mann Beverly Center Cinemas
(inside Beverly Center Mall)
8522 Beverly Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90048
Comments conceal
dakar noir
December 7 2007, 11:19AM
Just want to say a mighty BIG thanks for Keith and all the producers of this movie for making IT happen!! I've been following every trend of this story and I'm still excited to read that the tickets sold out!!
Unfortunately, I cant get to the theater to see this movie cause I live in a small West African country called Liberia....but I'm eagerly looking forward to buying the dvd once it is released.
Dont mind what they say...it's good to promote healthy images of gay people, most of who live silent and at times ostracize lives from their family. It's good to have the envelope of a family around you (cause we all have one, no matter how we feel of them), and I like the review ending that says a mama love conquers all.
Bravo to the cast!!! and Viva, Dirty Laundry!!! The more we air out some of our dirt, the more clean up our closets will be. I'm coming to turns with my laundry too.
PS: does this movie got a soundtrack? I havent heard anything of one..
Jinx
December 7 2007, 11:20AM
Please let me know ASAP if/when the film will make a debut in Chicago. I saw Boy Culture with Darryl Stephens (Noahs Arc) when it came here and enjoyed it. I know the people here would love Dirty Laundry.
Omo Jay
December 7 2007, 11:36AM
I love this site. I just wanted to say that.
I think that this movie is not going to be given a chance. Chicago has one of the largest black-gay male population (underground or otherwise) however, why isn't the movie opening in selected theaters here also? I'm sure money is involved.
I also think that it is a shame how quickly people use the bible to uphold their personal prejudices on issues of homosexuality (seeing that he bible doesn't give instructions to discriminate, gay bash, hate gays.
The bible has occurences of blessed homosexuals, homosexual encounters, jesus never condenmed it himself, and Leviticus is a book of laws written by people (proven by theologians). Moreover, It's is shameful how we pick and choose what to uphold in the bible. How can any of these [heterosexual] fornicators, liars, adulterers, etc procellatize to me about what is natural.
I will be here all day if i don't stop now.
Donnell Allen
December 7 2007, 11:38AM
Please, Please tell me this movie is coming to one of the gayest and biggest cities in the US of A. The Big A. Yes Atlanta Georgia. I promise you the theaters would be full and the movie would be sold out everyday. Don't make a mistake and sleep on Atlanta Keith. Please,please remember your sisters and brothers here in the ATL!!!!
Keith Boykin
December 7 2007, 11:50AM
Donnell,
Thanks for the opportunity to clarify two points.
First, the movie is scheduled to be released in Atlanta and other cities on December 28.
Second, I have no control over any of the cities where it will be shown.
If enough people come out to the movie in New York and Los Angeles this weekend, that makes it much more likely that it will be shown in other places.
WhyWhyZed
December 7 2007, 11:54AM
Congrats! Looking forward to this movie hitting Toronto... and if it doesn't get here, looking forward to buying the DVD...
Sounds like a great movie, with a great premise... Good work!
LaFontaye
December 7 2007, 12:19PM
Does anyone know off-hand where one can be directed to find out the exact cities in which "Dirty Laundry" is scheduled to be released on the 28th?
Blue
December 7 2007, 1:16PM
Can't wait for this to roll into the District. I'll certainly be there. Looks like fun.
Shabaka
December 7 2007, 1:53PM
Lord I can't wait to see this movie. Like YYZ said, I hope the movie hits theaters here in Toronto. Otherwise I'd have to wait and own it on DVD. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a hit! Congrats, Keith!
Mikey
December 7 2007, 1:56PM
Let me know if and when the movie comes out in Tallahasse, FL. I've been waiting for a while to see this movie and now that it's finally out I can't see it cause I'm not in NYC or LA.
kyrietop
December 7 2007, 2:09PM
Wake Up, brothers and sisters. After its NYC/LA debut this weekend, this movie is going straight to your local blockbuster (if you request they stock it).
Derrick from PHilly
December 7 2007, 2:49PM
I truly hope the film is a success. Also, what better way to undue the stereotypes that everyone complains about than by having Rockmond Dunbar portray a gay man. Can't call him no queen, honey. Of course, aint nothin' wrong with queens, y'all are just tired of seein' us on screen. We understand.
By the way, could y'all please do something about that picture of Marcus Patrick in the OUt In Left Field section. He upsets me so. It's too damn cold outside for me to be going around in wet underwear.
Luther
December 7 2007, 3:18PM
I hope its a great success, and with a good review from TNYT, that's sets the tone! And, I'm sure it will do well in the two major markets this weekend and hope those who live in those cities will be out in full force, which bodes well for those of us in other cities.
And, Derrick, I felt like sceaming could Marcus Patrick be my baby daddy, something I seldom utter, but he's so fine it gets us old guys going! And, makes me want to drive in the rain up to L.A. whioch would be about a 5 hour drive in this storm to see the movie!
huh...??
December 7 2007, 3:56PM
Did anybody watch the trailer on the official site Keith links to? It says nothing at all about the gay subject matter. It implies that the main character's friend is gay (he is extremely/stereotypically femmey), but from the trailer it appears to be a comedy about the main character meeting a son he never knew he had. I'm sure that was a marketing decision Keith didn't control but.... does that seem weird to anybody?? To me that trailer doesn't speak of pride, it ironically speaks of a movie that won't even say the word gay in its trailer.....
C. Baptiste-Williams
December 7 2007, 4:56PM
so good to see my friends doing big things
LaFontaye
December 7 2007, 5:11PM
huh - I didn't neccessarily find it "weird", I found it to be just as you mentioned - a marketing decision. There was an earlier trailer that ran that was a little bit more telling of the homosexual aspect of Dirty Laundry, however I think the present trailer better captures the overall feel of the actual movie itself which is less about homosexual culture and more about family acceptance as well as the role everyone plays in the dysfunction of family in regards to their own..dirty laundry.
Meanwhile here's the origin of that highly praised Marcus Patrick provacation over there to the left, to the left! NSFW:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-Mh-rbaXKrw
Mark Norris
December 7 2007, 6:20PM
Getting ready to go to the LA screening at the Beverly Center with a car load. I can't wait to see it again.
Michael
December 7 2007, 7:07PM
I actually thought Denzel advised Will to kiss the male character...
Ostend Street
December 7 2007, 7:07PM
Balto/DC will be waiting patiently for this one. Please hurry!!!
JSUGRADNMIAMI
December 7 2007, 10:39PM
HI Keith.....
I am a resident of MIAMI, FLORIDA....I am hoping and praying that the movie come here....Do you have any information ???
I would love to support the movie!!!!
Natalia
December 8 2007, 2:07AM
Just saw the film and I LOVED it. No movie is perfect but I really enjoyed watching this film in a theater filled with other gay black people; non-stop comedy and some heart-warming moments. Definitely worth the moolah.
more cowbell
December 8 2007, 11:56PM
Can we please get a list of the "select cities"? I'm near Seattle, and am hoping it comes here...
wiljam
December 9 2007, 12:24AM
This website is inspiring. As a Jamaican constantly battling with love/hate feelings towards my country I would love to make an absurd bid to have "dirty laundry" there - God knows we have it - but i'll settle for the DVD whenever it comes out and have a big old movie night with me and the rest of the closeted boys. Keith keep doing what you doing and i must add it is refreshing to read these thoughts of these outspoken men and women 'representing' very well.
GQ
December 9 2007, 7:45PM
Well, so far Dirty laundry has grossed over 15,000 with an average of 7700.00 per screen average (apporx.) (according to box office mojo). Not a bad start for two theaters. to put it in perspective this week's No. 1 movie Golden Compass had a screen average of $7400.00 (approx) but with 3500+ theater screens. Congrats Keith and Nathan and Maurice for getting the movie made and released but you have your work cut out for you. The critics are not on your side. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the leading movie critics website, Laundry achieved a 33% rating. (60% is needed for the movie to be considered "fresh" as opposed to being "rotten.") Buy hey, that didn't stop Tyler Perry. Therefore, strong word of mouth and "commitment" from the public is needed for success. As for myself, I'm not holding my breath to wait for Dirty Laundry to come into a theater in my hometown.(Vancouver, BC) I had to wait two months for Tyler Perry's Why Did I get Married and that movie was number one on opening weekend!
Karmatic
December 9 2007, 10:44PM
I was able to catch some of Al Sharpton's show on XM radio, and like Keith mentioned, some of the callers were so damn dogmatic with the biblical bullcrap that it was just too hard to listen to at times. (my words, not Keith's)..
And while I'm nowhere near the two cities that's showing the movie, I sincerely hope it does well, and I can't wait to see it.
jas
December 10 2007, 11:26AM
YOU ALL ARE TRIPPING, y'all know y'all will be getting on bootleg in the next few days, so stop worrying. LOL!
LaFontaye
December 10 2007, 2:47PM
Nathan Seven Scott from the online show "theandshow", catches the reaction of Dirty Laundry viewers at an opening weekend showing in New York.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bKOnCoxwgL8
NikiiB
December 10 2007, 4:16PM
Congrats!!!
MLee
December 10 2007, 5:34PM
LaFontaye, thanks for providing the youtube link on Dirty Laundry. I enjoyed it (the link), and was very happy to see the positive reactions of viewers to this film.
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