LGBTQ advocacy group AspenOUT is sponsoring two films at this week’s Aspen FilmFest.
Aspen Film executive director Susan Wrubel says the organization aims to highlight social issues through film.
Michael Barnett’s “Changing the Game” looks at transgender civil rights through the story of four high school athletes. They negotiate inconsistent laws and regulations when it comes to competing and face slurs yelled by spectators in the stands.
Aspen Film executive director Susan Wrubel says the film highlights the prejudice faced by these students.
"Your heart just breaks for some of these kids. All they want to do is compete and they have people yelling at them, ‘You’re not supposed to be here,’" she said.
Wrubel says the film also kicks off the Alliance film series later this year. That series is aimed at area teens, tweens and their families and features LGBTQ stories.
The other film sponsored by AspenOUT is “A Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” which tells the story of an artist in 18th century France. She’s commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of reluctant young bride and falls in love with her subject.
Wrubel says she was impressed with the film’s story and style.
“It is meticulously crafted, so well-told and absolutely beautiful," she said.
It screens Friday at the Isis Theatre in Aspen.
“Changing the Game” screens Thursday at the Isis. A special screening aimed at local students will be held Saturday at Carbondale’s Crystal Theatre.
