New Downlow Film "Cover" Screens Before Sold Out Audiences at Black Theater...More on Hollywood's Black Gay Conundrum

As the 16th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) comes to its conclusion, I thought I’d take a few moments to offer further commentary on Hollywood’s Black Gay Conundrum.

This year, like in years past, PAFF offered a diverse selection of quality films from and about the African Diaspora to enthusiastic audiences at the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15 Theaters in Los Angeles, otherwise known as the Black theater.  From documentaries to narratives, there was no shortage of independent Black cinema to go around.

One of this year’s most popular films was Bill Duke’s “Cover,” a film about the downlow…surprise surprise.  "Cover" was so popular that one encore wouldn’t accommodate the hundreds of people that showed up to see it, so a third screening was added.  Starring Aunjanue Ellis, Razaaq Adoti, Vivica A. Fox, Richard Gant, Mya, Louis Gossett, Jr., Leon, Paula Jai Parker, Roger Guenveur Smith, Patti LaBelle and Obba Babatunde, "Cover" tells the story of Ryan Chambers (Leon) who is murdered on New Year's Eve, the prime suspect is Valerie Maas (Aunjanue Ellis), a church-going homemaker whose life unravels when she discovers that her husband (Razaaq Adoti) of 15 years has been leading a double life.  Her strength of character and faith keeps the family alive as a deadly disease threatens to destroy all that they have known.

“Cover” screened three times in the heart of what is left of Black Los Angeles in front of hundreds.  In fact, the festival could have sold out another screening had they added one.

And yes, this is the same AMC Magic Johnson Theater that I argued “Dirty Laundry” should have opened up in lat year instead of in West Hollywood because of its gay content.

"Dirty Laundry" starred Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis, Terri J. Vaughn, Joey Costello, with a cameo appearance from Dr. Bobby Jones and  followed the life of an African-American gay magazine writer with a near perfect life after turning his back on his southern roots by escaping to New York City--until an 11-year-old boy changes everything for him and his partner.

Like with "Dirty Laundry," "Cover" shares a stellar cast, a stellar Black cast.

"Cover" is set to open in limited theatrical release this week on February 22.  Limited as in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Newark, and Baltimore.  Limited as in this Black movie will have the benefit of opening up in traditional Black neighborhoods, a luxury that "Dirty Laundry" was never afforded which might have---no make that directly resulted in its being pulled from theaters about a week into its very limited engagement.

Film festivals, in particular Black film festivals, give prospective distributors as well as the filmmakers a direct link to their audience.  If it does well at a festival, it's likely to do well in a limited or national release.  Many films, including those that went on to win Academy Awards, got their start at film festivals, and the buzz went from there.

That's why film festivals continue to play a critical role for independent cinema.
One stark difference between "Cover" and "Dirty Laundry" is the way in which its gay albeit downlow or bisexual characters are portrayed.

"Dirty Laundry" is a film that features a Black openly gay character that's not on drugs, a prostitute, on the downlow, a hair dresser, choir director, or sashaying all over the screen.  You know, those stereotypical representations of the gay community that seem to envelope most roles that call for a Black gay characters.  Which is not to say that I'm hating on those types of brothas, but just like all lesbians aren't Cleo (Queen Latifah in "Set It Off"), all gay men aren't fabulous finger snapping hair dressers.  Add to that, "Dirty Laundry" is rated PG-13.  There's no sex or violence in the film.

"Cover" on the other hand deals directly with Black America's infatuation with all things on the downlow.  Since J.L. King and Oprah opened up the subject nationally for mainstream America, there has been a never-ending stream of books and films on the downlow. Why?  Because it's a popular, yet taboo subject for Blacks.

However, "Cover" tells the typical and for me tired story of the brotha who did the sista wrong.  We've been there and seen that before.  It doesn't necessarily portray gay men, bisexual men, or men on the downlow in the most positive light, not that you need too to discuss the downlow.   But the plot that always includes the sista done wrong is a bit overplayed and does nothing to address the reason why the downlow exists in the first place.  Instead, it continues to point the finger of blame while using an all-star cast to keep its audience enthralled.

Like filmmaker Tyler Perry, the filmmakers behind "Cover" have already begun signing up HIV/AIDS organizations and Black churches nationwide to go out and support the film on its opening weekend.  Because this film speaks more to the good Christian sista done wrong, it's finding strong support amongst the Black Christian community.  However, I am not sure how much "Cover" is really going to do to continue the conversation on why the downlow exists in the first place.  I am more concerned with further ostracizing Black gay and bisexual men.  In fact, one might argue that this film given its gaining popularity might set back the advancements that Black gay groups have been making within Black America on this very subject.  However, only time will tell on that one.

What I do know for sure is that Black films thrive when they are made available to Black audiences, which means screening in urban theaters.  It doesn't hurt if that subject matter happens to be about the downlow and is cloaked in a script that allows good Black Christian folks to flock to their local theater without fear of being labeled as gay.

I guess the proof will be in the numbers for "Cover."  After looking at the film's major success in Los Angeles during the Pan African Film and Arts Festival, this despite a less than complimentary review in Los Angeles' mainstream alternative newspaper the L.A. Weekly.  With strong grassroots support from the Black church community, HIV/AIDS groups, and good old word of mouth, the filmmakers might just see decent enough numbers to keep them in theaters for more than a week.  The flipside?  If that happens, you can bet that the subject of how to spot a man on the downlow, or my favorite, ten things to look for in your man to tell if he's gay will find new life in Black America via nail salons, beauty shops, pulpits, and on urban radio stations nationwide.  Been there done that.  What we need to be discussing is how our phobias created the downlow and continues to force people into living lies as opposed to pointing the finger of blame which does nothing in the long run to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in our communities or to bring us closer together as a people. 
 

Comments

[Kenyan Gay]

I saw this movie on DVD last night and on googling, I was directed here.

The DL is issue is universal and I have amongst my friends, men who are married and have boyfriends on the side.

Society needs to understand that DL whilst evil is a product of homophobia. If it was easy to come out and not get ridiculed and ostracized, we would not have men on the DL.

When mainstream society understand the struggle gay men have to go through to try and fit in, then and only then, we will have no sisters subjected to what Aunjanue Ellises Character had to endure.

[i seen it]

i don't think tha movie talked about dl men in a bad way.. It showed real life... Gay men everyday make poor choices and have unsafe sex with random guys and have girlfriends and boyfriends... It can destroy a person.... I felt the move was speaking on truth... It had a bit of humor as well ...So I can't complain.... I hear yall arguments b4 me but I mean it is what it is.... It wasn't talking bad it was telling a story about a man who happend to be on the low and made poor choices... It should open eyes not be ragged on....

[Taylor Siluwé]

I couldn't agree more, Jasmyne.

another movie (though I haven't seen it yet) painting black gay men as the boogeyman will not only do nothing to stem the rise of infections, but the ignorance it fosters will make it worse.

[THE OBENSON REPORT]

I thought we were long done with the entire "down low" fiasco... I guess not.

Anyway, to address Annabella above... I too thought it would just be another straight to DVD release. However, I was flipping through my weekly copy of New York Magazine this morning (I live in New York) and the film is listed in the movies section as a theatrical release for this Friday, the 22nd. So, it looks like it's getting a very limited theatrical run. Maybe the distributors are testing the waters to see if it'll swim, or at least stay afloat.

[Toni]

This is my first time hearing about "Cover". I try to support all black art, artists etc. But I am so tired of this self-hating DL drama. I am personally affiliated with a Black Gay Filmmaker, and his film aims to tell the story of a young black gay man and his journey towards self-love and acceptance. These are themes that I believe all people LGBT or straight can build dialog that will promote understanding. When will the black community: LGBT and straight come together to realize that the real fight is not among ourselves. I agree that those stereotypical characters are seen more than others. But I believe truth is important and sometimes the truth ain't pretty and is something that makes us all temporarily uncomfortable. Whatever the motivation of the creators of "Cover". They are helping to pave the way to more conversation about gayness in the black community. The black gay community has to participate in these conversations so that we don't have straight, religious fundamentalists and homo-phobes informing the public on black gay issues. Whom someone chooses to love should never be a point of contention.

Well check out www.thanks4findingme.com

Hopefully it will offer a breath of fresh air in the genre of black gay films.

Toni

[Annabella]

Well, if little magic had come on out and told the truth about his private life, perhaps he would not be showing this, unless of course he can relate to it. Hollyweird is just too much with the double standards and hypocrisy, especially when it involves race and sexuality.

That said, this "movie' will be a straight to DVD, no one will see it, not even the Christian nuts who he has made it for. Sometimes, no black films at all beats what they throw out.