Focusing On The Positive

By Keith Boykin, in movies
Tuesday, December 11 2007, 12:22PM

Earlier this morning, I posted an article informing you that the Clearview Chelsea Theater in New York had decided to pull the plug on one of the most successful movies playing at its theater. Many of us were completely surprised by the decision because the movie did so well, outperforming both big budget movies and smaller independent movies in per screen average.

Often when we struggle, we forget to take a moment to celebrate our accomplishments along the way. Dirty Laundry sold out 3 weekend performances at the theater and grossed an amazing $12,054 from that one theater alone. That's a major accomplishment. The producers want to thank everyone who called and sent messages today, but they have decided to focus their energy on the positive and would like the fans of the movie to save their energy to continue supporting the film in the theaters where it will be shown.

Statement From The Producers of 'Dirty Laundry'

First, thank you all for being interested in Dirty Laundry and for the support we received over this past weekend. Second, thank you to Keith for being such a champion for the film. However, the producers of the film are strong believers in the laws of attraction - what you focus on will expand. With that said, we think it is best to focus our energy on the positive and moving African-American indie films forward, which this film has done and will continue to do.

Yes, we are disappointed that despite the film's strong showing that it will not continue to play at the Clearview in Chelsea after this Thursday. Quite frankly, the film performed better than what was expected. We knew that the community would support us. We knew that it was a good movie. Unfortunately, the powers that be weren't expecting and prepared for it to perform so well. It's always better to under promise and over perform.

We've decided to focus on getting a new theater for the film in New York, on our Los Angeles showings this weekend and on our expansion on December 28th in Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. We know the film will continue to perform well in those markets and on DVD. We've enjoyed great success with this "little movie that could" and for that we're thankful.

Let's celebrate the accomplishment of last week and look to greater accomplishments for the future. You did it with us and we will be so ever grateful!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Meade

Comments (37) reveal

Comments conceal

CWPoliticalandSocialTh
December 11 2007, 12:38PM

Seems logical, but such an approach can deprive Black gay bloggers of the opportunity to rally together, to unite as one voice. Perhaps, in the aftermath of this, someone ought to come up with a way for all Black gay bloggers to respond to these sort of incidents through a more structural medium.

Will
December 11 2007, 12:49PM

I hope the film continues to do well. If it's still showing when I visit DC, I'd love to see it. if it's not showing I will be the first to order my DVD, and not a bottleg copy, lol.

David
December 11 2007, 1:20PM

My suggestions:
1 Organize a demonstration in front of the theatre.
(Get Al Sharpton to come if you can.)
2) Complain to GLAAD.
Put them on the spot.
3) Contact all the media and bloggers you can.

Controversy = Publicity

Can't wait to see the movie in Oakland.

max
December 11 2007, 1:35PM

I hope LA folks will still go out and support. I know the movie has shown here a few times on the festival circuit so many people have already seen it. I suggest the producers and distributors get the word out that this final version that might be slightly different from what many have seen before. If you could get a hold of the Fusion/Outfest mailing list that might be helpful. Also, for those who haven't been to the Mann Beverly in years, it is no longer at the Beverly Connection it is inside the Beverly Center mall, top level. I hadn't been there in a while either but it was a nice experience being able to shop and/or eat conveniently while on the movie outing. Remember, it's Christmas season.

I'm glad you're focusing on the positive. People know what happened, so time to move on. Too much drama might affect other exhibition. Kudos to having three sold-out performances regarless of who held tickets. I think DL will do well once it's expanded. I enjoyed it. I laughed, I cried. :)

thirtydaes
December 11 2007, 1:48PM

Simmer people, simmer. After all, it's just entertainment. Goodness the only thing that riles black folks up is to threaten their entertainment. Good grief. How sad. Get political for something that matters.

Blue
December 11 2007, 2:17PM

Dec. 28 ... fantastic! I'll be back in the District from Christmas and I plan to check it out. Keep your head up! :-)

Darian
December 11 2007, 2:36PM

"After all it's just entertainment"? thirtydates you've obviously missed the entire reason why it was so important that this movie was even made. Behind the entertainment value and laughs in Dirty Laundry is a message that is long overdue. Maurice Jamal and his team worked endlessly for years to address the dirty laundry in the black community that many of our families are afraid to deal with. Art imitates life and there has been numerous examples where this film has started discussions and healed broken relationships between gay and lesbian children and their parents.

This is yet another attempt by those in power to silence black gay voices and reinforce their belief that our stories aren't important nor is their an audience for it.

Sadly, so many people in our community are content with being a triple minority while sitting in silence and being mistreated and overlooked.

KB
December 11 2007, 3:29PM

I'm sorry to hear this news.

I have read both articles here and all the comments, and I don't see any mention of contacting the theatre to ask WHY they stopped showing it. Did anyone speak with theatre management and ask for a reason?

I would be reluctant to charge "racism." The theatre booked a black, gay film in the first place. I highly doubt they were "worried" about offending "white" people with so many black folks going to see this one film. White folks going to a black, gay film would be cool with a majority black audience, or they would just go see the next films there after Dirty Laundry finished its run. Sounds like the theatre management are just idiots.

This film will stand on its merits despite one marketing channel acting the fool. Don't be frustrated, don't be angry, use this challenge as an opportunity to generate more publicity and positive word-of-mouth, the best marketing money can't buy!

nhlanhla-S.A.
December 11 2007, 3:36PM

I can see the hurt from the NYC incident. Sorry chaps. And I think it's a good idea to take a step back and reflect, infact be grateful. People, especially strangers, dont always respond in a manner in which we expect of them.

Any case, as a young African gay man living in Joburg you can almost count on my eternal need to see the movie when on dvd. Arts do not only have entertainment value, thirtydaes, it is also identity marker and historical record. Even when it's not judged a brilliant picaso, by some, at some point.

bubba
December 11 2007, 3:42PM

It may have been best to exhibit the film at a New York theater known for its indie fare, like the Film Forum or the Angelika. I wonder if those venues are being considered now. Arguments have been made about Clearview Cinemas having a bias, but a big drop in sales after the opening weekend was entirely possible, and theirs is a chain that typically shows the most commercial movies. Contrary to Jasmyne Cannick's rhetoric, NYC dwellers will do what it takes to be where they need to, and having to trek from Harlem to Chelsea is not a deterrent. Many times I have gone downtown to see a film with urban appeal, and the loud, ghettocentric set found a subway to bring them there too. I wouldn't bet on a formula of trying to snare the gay audience in one spot or the Black audience in another. There are no guarantees.

Cincinnati NAMjA
December 11 2007, 3:47PM

I definitly want to see this film...it looks hilarious! I read that one of the reason's why the film was pulled was because it was the movie's production company who bought a good majority of the advance tickets. Is this true?

Matthew Rettenmund
December 11 2007, 4:34PM

I'm sympathetic to the filmmakers but question calling this bigotry. That same Chelsea theater has shown tons of gay films and tons of films that would appeal to a black audience, so I can't think of why they'd draw the line at black AND gay. My guess, pure guess, is the film was booked there for a period of time and there was probably little flexibility since it's a big chain, and the chains have other films coming in—yes, some might have lower PSAs, but if they're attached to a studio, the bigger picture always wins out over the smaller. That said, I can definitely relate to the frustration. Boy Culture played in a few theaters where it was yanked as scheduled despite having more life in it. It did well overall, but it can't help but make you wonder how much better it and ANY indie film would do if they were dumped in hundreds or thousands of theaters and given the chance granted to all the big flicks. I think it's wise of the filmmakers to take the high road unless bigotry (not greed) is more obvious.

Keith Boykin
December 11 2007, 4:38PM

Dear Cincinnati NAMjA:

The answer to your question is No. The producers did not buy the tickets. You can ask the more than 1,000 people who went to the movie in New York if anyone else bought their tickets for them.

Personally, I bought two extra tickets for Friday, specifically to give them away for the contest winner on this site. The contest winner could not make it in town from Washington, so I left his two tickets at the ticket booth for the attendant to give away. Otherwise, the producers did not buy the tickets.

The good news is that people in our community can, will and do support Black LGBT projects. I knew this was true when I ran for "American Candidate" and 300 people showed up at my kickoff rally with less than 24 hours notice. It was also true when the community made "Noah's Arc" the top-rated television show on Logo.

We may not always win, but we are a strong force when we believe in ourselves and recognize our power.

Tony
December 11 2007, 5:26PM

I took my Partner to see the Movie "Dirty Laundry" ,I met in line while waiting for our tickets Nathan Hale Willliams. He is a in my eyes a Very Humble and Approachable person. Even though I don't make it a habit of going up to people of Fame I felt I had to wish him Luck and success with his new endeavor along with the cast members -meaning success with the movie . I gave him a DAP which is when 2 men shake hands and then connect shoulder to shoulder in a sign of respect .We spoke briefly and off my Partner and I went to find seats to view the movie .It was a movie filled with Things that happen in both Black and Latino communities when people find out someone is Gay .I knew this would be a good movie just by the cast of well thought out members and they gave it their all in each performance .As For the theater to not acknowledge this as a viable movie is saddening ,I Support films based on our communities and will see future movies Made By this young man.Please go out and support Nathan Hale Willliams.

Luther
December 11 2007, 5:34PM

Great job on getting the movie made and selling it out in NYC, and still running in the movie capitol of the world, L.A., not a easy thing to do I'm sure.

As for the posters talking about "Boy Culture" that movie was just AWFUL, another fantasy theme, not one bit of substance, and, nothing a black gay man could relate to, at least this one, since we all know, in the real world, the lead guy would never have a black guy as a partner.

I hope that more young black writers and directors will follow those who made this movie, follow their dreams and make movies for our community, since we can tell our stores best. I'll always support this sort of movie, something that I as a black gay man can relate to, since, the "main stream" gay movies have little to nothing to offer me. Its an uphill battle, but, one worth the fight!!

JSUgradMiami
December 11 2007, 6:01PM

Keith ....

What about Miami? I would love to see and support the movie! I guess I'll have to purchase the movie on DVD.... No one want to show Florida some Black GLBT love ....lol....However, I know the movie will more than likely be profitable in Atlanta, D.C. and Baltimore

Karmatic
December 11 2007, 6:51PM

I had no idea that getting a movie distributed involved so much poli-TRICKS...Is it money? Is it the big studios? Somebody please inform me because I'm confused here..Hows does a movie that does so well gets pulled in less than a week?

What gives?!

kitana
December 11 2007, 7:15PM

I know the critics don't matter much but according to the big movie review site (http://www.rottentomatoes.com) only one third of the reviewer gave the movie a favorable review. I'd still like to see this movie though since it seems like it's better made than other cheaply made gay films.

Anthony Galloway
December 11 2007, 7:48PM

What about the third largest City in America....CHICAGO. I can't wait to see the film.

Kuttinedge
December 11 2007, 8:34PM

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Daryl
December 11 2007, 8:46PM

I'd like to commend the filmmakers, producers, and all others associated with the creation, marketing, and distribution of the film. I attended the 7:45 showing on Saturday night in NY and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Like all of the other viewers, I laughed out loud, clapped my hands, and had a real good time.

Regarding the movie's unfortunate departure from the Chelsea Cinema, I agree with many of the sentiments already expressed. In many ways, this situation feels similar to the cancellation of Noah's Arc. In both instances we have popular, well-received, and financially successful expressions of gay African-American creativity that were cancelled just as they were gaining momentum.

I agree that we should focus on continuing to support the creation of positive, gay African-American-themed entertainment. We should also be sure to tell our friends and family in other cities to go out and support this movie. And if you move to another theater in NY, I'll be there again and again to see it.

Orville
December 11 2007, 11:20PM

I just read about this incident on Jasmyne Cannick's board and decided to come here to get more info. The person that brought up the movie Boy Culture that movie was pure garbage and something I personally just don't find interesting.

Keith is correct about the success of the movie please go to www.boxofficemojo.com and type in Dirty Laundry in the search engine. According to Boxofficemojo the movie made over $15,000 dollars in just two theatres that's incredible.

Jean
December 11 2007, 11:22PM

Keith,

Instead of crying "racism" for the films short run, maybe you need to look to the overwhelmingly poor reviews for the answer.(http://www.rottentomatoes.com)

CWPoliticalandSocialTh
December 11 2007, 11:44PM

Pre-ordering is a great idea! I've just pre-ordered mine! I encourage more people to do it!

elg
December 12 2007, 3:00AM

Do you guys have a game plan to make sure that what happened at the Chelsea Theater in New York doesn't happen again when you expand to Atlanta, Washington D.C. and Baltimore on 12/28?

nhlanhla
December 12 2007, 3:46AM

Mman, obviously you know the dog eat dog nature of this industry. I think you are right to say that Keith et al. have to move on, and as they have stated, they know that. I think, like any human being might have, they may have made an error of judgment with regard to how to react to the decision by the theatre, especially in light of immense positive & almost unexpected support received from first few days of showing. I suspect that in light of surprising support they hoped for the theatre to reconsider & prolong the screening period. But it seems the theatre had other variables to consider and dropped the movie. Anyone in the project would have been deeply hurt by that decision. I think the error came in when they voiced out suspicious thoughts of racism as factual motives. Personally, I wouldn’t have gone there. But isn’t this their first project? In that regard one’d allow them to make & acknowledge a few mistakes in judgment. In a big picture perspective, I think they have done really well.

nhlanhla-S.A.
December 12 2007, 3:52AM

Regarding reviews: I read those from NY & LA times and they weren’t all positive. Most were negative on the director’s skill, but some really positive on the actors’ performances. So they were mixed. Maybe they did form part of variables the theatre considered, like you say. Still, in my memory, most gay & black movies, because of constraints within which they are made, don’t normally receive brilliant reviews. So, I’d say allow these guys some room to learn & grow. Dealing with university students from deprived backgrounds taught me that view. Some come from ways too far. Otherwise, doomsday prophecies like, hollywood is small with big memory, maybe true but aren’t encouraging.

GQ
December 12 2007, 4:43AM

Hey guys (Keith, nathan and everyone involved in the Laundry project)! I hope you find another venue in New york soon. As disheartening as the theater pullout was, I'm glad Keith that you decided to adjust this particular column in a positive direction. Hope this movie has better luck on Dec. 28th (Hint hint to the folks in Atlanta, DC and Baltimore. Betta REPRESENT!!) also, if anyone has seen the movie and visits Rotten Tomatoes site, you can put your opinion in the user tomato rating. While I look at the Critic's tomato reading I also look at the "user tomato" rating as well because it gives an indication of the word of mouth. Example, Tyler's Perry "married" only received a 48% rating (considered rotten) but the user (audience) rating was 69%. Yeah you have to sign on to the site but this is another way for anyone wanting to support this film and other black gay films to create grassroots buzz. Just a thought.

robert
December 12 2007, 7:15AM

When is the movie coming to Toronto, Canada?

elg
December 12 2007, 8:14AM

Chicago has a substantial, affluent black gay population. Why isn't the movie being expanded to that city?

Antwan
December 12 2007, 9:53AM

I find it hilarious that some are using movie critics as a reason the movie didn't fail, the only time the movie critics and Hollywood are pleased with a movie that has a black theme, is when someone is a criminal, like Denzel , or a dead black person who entertained them, or a woman who has to make out with one of the most unattractive men in the world like Halle . Or, like the color Purple, where every negative stereotype could be put in on movie.

So, the critics and their take on anything black is as bad as their reviews.

And, what's up with all the shade? I have never seen so many hateful people on a topic, talk about needing prayer to rid yourselves of anger.

Kudos' to the whole team for making this movie, something these shut-in's who are complaining about can't and won't do anything to make the world a better place.

steve6161115
December 12 2007, 10:09AM

I recommend the Newark Screens theater in Newark. I believe it is run by a non-profit agency which has a focus on black films. Also, Newark has a large gay population - although not a gay community.
I saw the movie this weekend in Chelsea and loved it. It should be run there and don't understand why it is being pulled.

AroundHarlem.com
December 12 2007, 12:48PM

I'm writing from AroundHarlem.com.

We originally posted the trailer on our website and today posted a link to the original article about the movie being pulled from the theater.

(http://blog-aroundharlem.com/2007/12/12/dirty-laundry-pulled-from-nyc-theater/)

I actually wondered why it wasn't shown at the Magic Johnson theater originally. They do show some independent films.

Does anyone know if they turned down the film?

elg
December 12 2007, 1:46PM

Regardng Dirty Laundry being shown in a Magic Johnson theater, I remember when Magic announced he was HIV positive in 1991. The next day he went on the Arsenio Hall Show to say that he was "far from being a homosexual". He said it as if being a gay man was the dirtiest, filthiest thing imaginable. The audience clapped wildly at this declaration as if relieved to hear their sports hero was not a fag. I realize this incident occurred 16 years ago (time does fly!) and some people "evolve" over time but I have NEVER heard anything remotely gay friendly from him over the years. But it never hurts to reach out and, who knows, maybe over the course of 16 years he's become more open minded.

KB
December 12 2007, 2:23PM

I ask again: Did anyone get an explanation directly from the theatre why this film was dropped?

I am really bothered by the useless, and often racist, speculation going on here, when we should be getting some word from the horse's mouth! I think it is a true disservice to our community to engage in conspiracy theories instead of getting honest feedback from theatre management to help move this film forward.

Even if the reviews were mixed (as one can see on Rotten Tomatoes...ouch!), I would probably opt to show a movie that had either better reviews OR big name actors who people will go see regardless.

As a side note to the Magic Johnson comment above, I hope Will Smith has come around, too, since he chose his first film role ("Six Degrees of Separation") to be the farthest thing from what he had already been doing: Fresh Prince. Yet he couldn't bring himself to kiss a man, as scripted! Somehow he managed to convince the director to change the script to not show that. Unreal.

Luddite
December 12 2007, 4:41PM

Mman and KB are to be commended for rational thinking versus just jumping on the race card. The only person Mr. Boykin is hurting is ultimately himself. Hollywood indeed is a very small town with a very long memory. Keep burning those bridges Keith! Don't forget to blame "the white folks".

Keith Boykin
December 12 2007, 7:34PM

Thanks for all your comments.

The producers have indicated they want to focus on the positive side of all this and concentrate on the places where the movie is and will be shown.

Instead of focusing on the theater, I would encourage everyone to support the film whereever it is shown.

To facilitate that, I am going to discontinue the comments on this thread and try to move forward in a positive direction.

Thanks again for all your help and support.