Tracy Baim

Orgasm, Inc.: Sexy title, political film

My review of this film, showing Feb. 13 in Chicago, is also online at http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=24889

Medical and pharmaceutical interference in what are often problems fixable through more basic solutions is the focus of this excellent new documentary from filmmaker Liz Canner. Orgasm, Inc., is showing at the Dyke Delicious series at Chicago Filmmakers appropriately on Valentine's Weekend, Sat., Feb. 13, 7 p.m. social, 8 p.m. screening, $10, 5243 N. Clark St., 773-293-1447.

Canner's access to people working on drugs and surgical solutions to the newly created disease "Female Sexual Dysfunction" or FSD shows just how compromised our Western medicine really is. FSD in fact was a disease diagnosis pushed in part by pharmaceutical companies developing the female equivalent to Viagra for men. The concern is, the orgasm-related problems many women face are far more complex than men experience, and in fact many women interviewed had orgasms, they just thought they were not "normal" because they did not have an orgasm during intercourse.

This is not a lesbian film, and in fact that's the only disappointing aspect because Canner did not address lesbian sexuality at all — except in a short, funny clip about a woman who is now happier with her sex life now that she's with a woman. But the film is still a wonderful behind-the-scenes investigation.

Canner's access started several years ago when she was hired to edit erotic videos for an unusual pharmaceutical company using the films to gauge sexual response in women. Because she worked with the company, she was able to get ground-floor interviews as the company, parallel to others, worked on a "female Viagra." The company spokespeople were surprisingly candid with Canner, perhaps both optimistic and naïve to her intentions. They later refused to return her calls. Canner's research is very compelling. She looks at other companies and their drug trials, surgical procedures ( including plastic surgery to make women "pretty" down there ) , and pushes to find medical/pharma solutions to problems that might be solved otherwise. Especially interesting was a woman sales rep for a vaginal cosmetic surgery company — she was conflicted about the message it sent to women. The film is also funny, including an animated "race" depicting the battle to win the FSD drug war. There are heroes and no-nonsense activists, but Canner is also not just demonizing all the medical/pharma folks. Some seem to actually believe what they are selling, and in fact some problems may have a medical basis. But Canner shows that it is dangerous, no matter what the problem, to have the phama industry involved in actually "creating" a disease where one did not exist before. I watched this film with a group of women, including someone in the pharmaceutical industry, and she was impressed with the approach, as were the others. We laughed and were shocked, and especially felt very well informed after the 73-minute film was over. If Orgasm, Inc. wasn't so sadly a true documentary, it could have passed for a very funny mokumentary. See www.orgasminc.org .

Culture as Activism

I have always been a fan of “the movies.” When I was 14 I snuck a TV into my room and watched In the Glitter Palace (1977) with Barbara Hershey playing a lesbian. Personal Best and Desert Hearts came out when I was a young adult, followed by other lesbian films, some good, many terribly bad. But even the bad ones provided at least some relief from the constant hetero beat of Hollywood.

As someone who has covered the LGBT community for 25 years, mostly from a news perspective, I have also seen how sometimes our issues can be further advanced by “culture” than by activism. We need it all, of course: People in the streets, people in the board rooms, and people getting a better understanding of us through TV and movies.

A few years ago I started working on a military love story movie, but that got sidetracked to a stage play, Half Life. In 2007, when I had just about given up hope that would become a film, I interviewed Claudia Allen for www.ChicagoGayHistory.org and suggested that her stage plays would make great films. And from there, less than 12 months later, we were shooting Hannah Free in my home on the South Side. Directed by Wendy Jo Carlton, adapted by Allen for film, and involving more than 400 people at some level, this was a labor of love on the scale of Gay Games for me, just in a more condensed timeline.

I served as executive producer, which is a fancy title for basically doing anything from running to the store for water to writing checks and raising money. I learned so much in such a short window of time, and was so lucky to have an amazing support team for everything we needed for the film. Whether it was Martie Marro doing the Web site, sound design and music, or Sharon Zurek as editor and post-supervisor, or star Sharon Gless staying in the coach house during filming, everyone pitched in at an amazing level. It took a huge village to make this film, and now I know why there are not a lot of lesbian films—it is a very difficult and expensive process, one that also involves miracles and luck. And every favor you could ever call in with family and friends.

What is it about movies that change our lives? The stories can help society see us differently, but for me it is more important for our own community to see a wide range of stories reflecting our lives. Hannah Free is a “period” movie, told across 60 years in the lives of two women, ending in a 1990s Michigan nursing home. We see young lovers, and we see older women loving one another. How many Hollywood films show older people being intimate, much less two women? Sharon Gless and Maureen Gallagher steam up the screen with their screen chemistry, and it validates the lives of so many long-term couples of all kinds.

As the film has played the festival and theatrical circuit this summer, I have been lucky to attend some of the screenings. The emotions have been very high, with lesbians, gay men and straight couples all responding strongly to the message of love and who chooses a family. The topics are timely given the current healthcare end-of-life debate, and also with the same-sex marriage battles in Maine, California and beyond. Who gets to make decisions about our loved ones? Even the best legal documents have been challenged, and anything short of full equality will mean continued terrible circumstances for some couples.

So Hannah Free is just one offering in a long line of LGBT cinema trying to reflect a portion of our lives. I can’t thank Chicagoans enough for the amazing support we received. We did all of our work here, including post-production. And we also received support from outside our city, from house parties and donors across the country. We have seen the tears, heard the laughter, and been proud to represent Chicago as part of a new lesbian film. Please show your support by seeing the film Sept. 25-Oct. 1 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State (see www.hannahfree.com for other cities and countries). There are lots of great films to choose from this fall, and your support of this one will send a message to future LGBT filmmakers that our community can support not just the next Hollywood drama, but also independent cinema from us, by us, and for everyone.

 

Hannah Free's Chicago run Sept. 25-Oct. 1, Sharon Gless at gala

Wow, what a summer it has been promoting the release of Hannah Free, a new lesbian feature film starring Sharon Gless. I have been too busy to blog, tho I have tried to keep updates going thru the Facebook fan page and Twitter (HannahFree).

The world premiere at San Francisco's 1600-seat Castro Theatre on Pride Sunday, June 28, with our cast, crew, donors, and Rosie O'Donnell introducing it to the world, was simply fantastic all around. The debuts in other cities (and countries!) since then have also been terrific. See http://www.hannahfree.com for screenings around the world this fall. The Facebook updates are at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hannah-Free/76436188517?ref=ts.

Below is the press release for our Chicago one-week theatrical run. I hope you can join us!

Hannah Free to debut in Chicago Sept. 25-Oct. 1

at Gene Siskel Film Center

 

Star Sharon Gless to attend gala Sept. 26

CHICAGO -- Sharon Gless, (Queer as Folk, Burn Notice, Cagney & Lacey) stars in the passionate lesbian drama Hannah Free, a new film about a lifelong love affair between an independent spirit and the woman she calls home. The film will have a one-week limited engagement in Chicago Sept. 25-Oct. 1 at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 164 N. State.

The independent film, shot entirely in the Chicago area last November, also stars Taylor Miller (All My Children), Maureen Gallagher, Ann Hagemann, Kelli Strickland and Jacqui Jackson. Hannah Free is directed by Wendy Jo Carlton and written by Claudia Allen (based on her acclaimed stage play).

Hannah Free had its world premiere in San Francisco in June, and has been playing to mostly sold-out audiences since that time. It received the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Philadelphia QFest in July. It is already booked around the world, including in Ireland, France, Germany and Norway, with dozens of major festival dates being set monthly.

The film will have 14 screenings at the Gene Siskel Film Center. One special screening, Sat., Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. will feature a Q&A with Sharon Gless and other key cast and crew, as well as a gala benefit following the screening. The Lucy Smith Quartet will perform at the gala; one of Smith’s songs is featured in the film. Gala tickets will be sold separately through Ripe Fruit Films, producers of Hannah Free. All other tickets are available from the theater.

Executive Producers of Hannah Free are Tracy Baim, Claudia Allen and Sharon Zurek (also the film’s editor, from Black Cat Films). The producers are Sharon Gless, Martie Marro (also the film’s Music Composer) and Wendy Jo Carlton. Director of Photography was Gretchen Warthen.

Tickets are now on sale. Tickets to each screening are $10/general admission. Other ticket prices are $7/student and $5/Film Center members. All tickets (except for Sept. 26, 7 p.m. show) may be purchased at the Film Center Box Office, 164 N. State St. Both general admission and Film Center member tickets are available through Ticketmaster, 800-982-2787, www.ticketmaster.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets. The Film Center and its Box Office are open 5-9 p.m., Monday-Friday; 2-9 p.m., Saturday; and 2-6 p.m., Sunday. For more information about the Film Center, call 312-846-2800 (24-hour movie hotline) or 312-846-2600 (general information, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday), or visitwww.siskelfilmcenter.org.

Discounted parking is available for $14 for nine hours at the InterPark SELF-PARK at 20 E. Randolph St. A rebate ticket can be obtained from the Film Center Box Office.

Sept. 26 gala info: Sharon Gless and the cast of Hannah Free, along with director Wendy Jo Carlton, writer Claudia Allen and the producers and crew, will attend a special benefit screening and gala Saturday, Sept 26, 7 p.m. at the Gene Siskel Film Center. After the screening, there will be a Q&A at the Film Center. Then, guests will walk one block north to the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, One West Wacker, for a gala featuring hors d’oeuvres and wine, beer and soda, all part of the $100 ticket price for the evening. The Lucy Smith Quartet will perform. Mix and mingle with the stars of Hannah Free, and benefit the production of a feature film made in Chicago. For more information, call 773-387-2394, emailinfo@hannahfree.com, see www.hannahfree.com, www.twitter.com/hannahfree or see the Hannah Free fan page on Facebook.

ABOUT HANNAH FREE

Hannah (Sharon Gless) and Rachel (Maureen Gallagher) grew up as little girls in the same small Midwest town, where traditional gender expectations eventually challenge their deep love for one another. Hannah becomes an adventurous, unapologetic lesbian and Rachel a strong but quiet homemaker. Weaving back and forth between past and present, with different actors playing the characters from age 10 through late in life, the film reveals how the women maintained their love affair despite a marriage, a world war, infidelities, and family denial.

The film was shot on the South Side of Chicago and in Beecher, Ill., November, 2008, in 18 days.

ABOUT THE GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER

The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago celebrates over 35 years of presenting cutting edge programs, independent and international cinema, premieres, retrospectives, and classic films. Internationally recognized for its original film programming, the Film Center is a vibrant cultural destination in Chicago that attracts a diverse and creative audience of 70,000 annually.

 

TRAILER:  http://www.hannahfree.com

Screen dates and show times:

Friday Sept. 25

6:15 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

 

Saturday Sept. 26

3:15 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

Special 7 p.m. screening followed by Q&A with Sharon Gless, cast and crew, followed by a gala party, tickets only thru 773-387-2394 or for info see www.hannahfree.com

 

Sunday Sept. 27

2:45 p.m.

 

Monday Sept. 28

6:15 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

 

Tuesday Sept. 29

6:15 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

 

Wednesday Sept. 30

6:15 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

 

Thursday Oct. 1

6:15 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

 

 

Hannah Free trailer available

The trailer for the new lesbian feature film Hannah Free is now available at:

http://www.hannahfree.com/hannah_free_trailer.html

Hannah Free trailer

The film stars Sharon Gless, and its world premiere will be Sunday, June 28 at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, the evening of San Fran Pride and the 40th anniversary of Stonewall.

More details soon.

Also, join our Hannah Free film Facebook page for updates.

It's A Wrap

I feel like I just arrived back from Mars. Who won the election? Truly, doing a feature film was an overwhelming experience. I learned as much in 5 weeks (2 weeks or pre-production, 3 of shooting) than I think I have in any one year of my life, including the Gay Games year of 2006.

Hannah Free (see http://www.HannahFree.com ) is a new feature film about a long-term lesbian relationship, and we expect it to be ready by middle of 2009. Sharon Gless is the film's star, and she has been absolutely fabulous to have as part of the project. Pictured above are some of us at the cast and crew wrap party at the beautiful and elegant Polo Cafe & Catering in Bridgeport. See http://www.polocafe.com/ . Back row, from left: Ann Hagemann (Young Rachel), Director Wendy Jo Carlton, screenwriter Claudia Allen (who adapted her stage play for the film), Kelli Strickland (Young Hannah), Sharon Gless (Hannah Free), Jacqui Jackson (Greta), and Maureen Gallagher (Rachel). Front: Bev Spangler (Night Nurse), Elaine Carlson (Nurse), Meredith Drilling-Coren (Young Marge), and me, Tracy Baim, executive producer. Photo by my dad Hal Baim, who took thousands of on-set pics which we hope to post on the www.HannahFree.com Web site soon.

This has been a labor of love for many of us, and we are still raising contributions to fund the post-production. So see the Web site for how you can donate and get your name in the thank-you credits. Look for news soon about house parties and other fundraisers.

Thanks to everyone -- crew, cast, volunteers, friends and family -- for helping. Especially to my sister Marcy and her son Anthony for allowing the film to literally take over our home for three weeks.

Hannah Free benefit features Sharon Gless

Sharon Gless, star of such hits as Cagney and Lacey, Burn Notice and Queer As Folk, is in town shooting a lesbian feature film, Hannah Free, based on award-winning playwright Claudia Allen's stage play of the same name. Gless attended a benefit with other cast and crew Sunday, Nov. 9, at Center on Halsted. She spoke passionately about her character, Hannah, a free spirit who has loved her partner Rachel since they were both young girls. The drama is shooting in and around Chicago this month. It is directed by Wendy Jo Carlton, and Allen and myself are executive producers. Pictured, standing, from left: Claudia Allen, Kelli Strickland (who plays 30s Hannah), Meg Thalken (Mail Lady), Gless (Hannah), Ann Hagemann (30s Rachel), Jacqui Jackson (Greta), and Patricia Kane (Minister). Front: Carlton and Baim. See more cast and crew details at www.HannahFree.com. Photo by Kat Fitzgerald, www.mysticimagesphotography.com

Sharon Gless benefit

Sharon Gless at Chicago Event

Sunday, Nov. 9, 4-6 p.m.
Center on Halsted
3656 N. Halsted, Chicago

$50-$100
Includes hors d'oeuvres and light beverages

Come meet Sharon Gless, playwright Claudia Allen, director Wendy Jo Carlton
and some of the other actors from this new lesbian feature film

Sharon Gless will make a special appearance at a fundraiser for Hannah Free, now filming in Chicago.

Hannah Free is the story of a lifelong love affair between an independent spirit and the woman she calls home.

Gless, star of popular television shows Cagney & Lacey, Queer As Folk and Burn Notice, will play Hannah, a fiercely independent woman who fights to see her partner one last time in a nursing home.

The screenplay is based on award-winning playwright Claudia Allen's popular stage play of the same name. Allen is a writer-in-residence at Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago and has written more than 20 plays.

Other actors include Taylor Miller of All My Children fame, Kelli Strickland, Ann Hagemann, and Jacqui Jackson.

Hannah Free will be directed by Wendy Jo Carlton. Director of Photography is Gretchen Warthen. Executive producers are Tracy Baim and Claudia Allen. The film is being produced by Ripe Fruit Films, a Chicago-based production company, for distribution in 2009.

Tickets Sliding Scale: $50 or $100

For a $100 contribution (singles or couples) you receive a thank you credit in the film.

You can pay online at www.HannahFree.com
Or send checks to: Ripe Fruit Films, 1900 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
You can pay at the door, but only with check or cash.
For reservations e-mail: info@hannahfree.com

Contributions are not tax deductible.

Sharon Gless to Star in New Film

Following are details on the new lesbian feature film I am executive producing. The below is a press release, with more info on the Web site here. Check back to this blog for more news soon -- we start shooting Monday, Nov. 3.

Sharon Gless is set to star in the new independent feature film, Hannah Free.

Hannah Free is the story of a lifelong love affair between an independent spirit and the woman she calls home.

Gless, star of popular television shows Cagney & Lacey, Queer As Folk and Burn Notice, will play Hannah, a fiercely independent woman who fights to see her partner one last time in a nursing home.

The screenplay is based on award-winning playwright Claudia Allen's popular stage play of the same name. Allen is a writer-in-residence at Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago and has written more than 20 plays.

"I am delighted to be working with my friend Claudia Allen," said Gless, who previously performed in Allen's play, Cahoots. "This is a heartwarming story that is both funny and poignant. I look forward to working with a terrific cast in Chicago."

Other actors include Taylor Miller of All My Children fame, Kelli Strickland, Ann Hagemann, and Jacqui Jackson.

Hannah Free will be directed by Wendy Jo Carlton. Director of Photography is Gretchen Warthen. Executive producers are Tracy Baim and Claudia Allen. The film is being produced by Ripe Fruit Films, a Chicago-based production company, for distribution in 2009.

Hannah Free will be shot in and around the Chicago area in November 2008.

For more information, see the Web site.

Jumping off a cliff

Ok, the scoop first here. In November, 2008, I will be working with a team of people to film a new lesbian feature in Chicago. We are shooting it in digital, and have a terrific cast. We can't name them all yet, but we have a couple of nationally known women stars plus a wonderful group of Chicago-based stage stars.

The film is based on award-winning Victory Gardens playwright-in-residence Claudia Allen's Hannah Free. She is adapting her stage play for the big screen. Hannah Free is about a lifelong friendship and love affair between two women, as they end up together, yet separated, in a nursing home in rural Michigan. The film is told through flashbacks, with two adorable young stars playing Hannah and Rachel at 10, two hot women playing them in their 30s, and two amazing (and yes hot) women playing the women as they age into their 50s and later 70s.

Directed by Wendy Jo Carlton, who I worked with on the Chicago Gay History Project (she was the primary videographer), the crew is rounded out by many experienced local and national talents. We have a lot of folks working very hard on this, and start pre-production Monday. We are still looking for some volunteer personal assistants to run ragged.

I am serving as the film's executive producer, and we will soon have a way for people to contribute (it won't be a tax deduction, but you will get listed in the thank yous). The Web site will be Hannah Free, with a link for contributions. We are doing this low budget but high quality, and wanted to create a lesbian film that is good across several generations. I have to thank the investors who trusted in this new creative team.

I hope to update this blog regularly to release details on our cast and crew, so check back for more scoops.

My primary motivations are to learn a lot about filmmaking, and help Claudia Allen get more recognition for her important and critical plays about women. She has had many successes on the stage, both in Chicago and elsewhere, but her works should have more longevity, and film is the way to guarantee that. She has many plays that would be great to adapt for the cinema. Even if the majority of a film's life is now on DVD and probably the Web, film is still a great way to help lend depth to all of our lives.

Chicago has so much talent here, there is no reason why we can't have more lesbian feature films (think Go Fish) made right here in the Windy City. Especially now with the lower costs of digital.

So watch as we leap off the cliff. I think I am more scared than I was as a co-vice chair of the Gay Games board!