Frameline 42 / Vancouver Queer Film Festival - 50 Years of Fabulous
The story of the oldest surviving LGBT charity organization in the world.
Interview with Writer/Director Jethro Patalinghug
Watch 50 Years of Fabulous on Dekkoo and iTunes
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
We don’t have enough queer history. Prior to making this film, all I knew about queer history and queer life were Harvey Milk, Stone Wall and Ru Paul. I really feel privileged that this film landed into my hands. It gave me an opportunity to journey into the past and get a unique crash course on the milestones of the Gay Liberation Movement through a very specific lens of an organization that is now 53 years old, The Imperial Council of San Francisco.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
At a very critical time where all communities, especially the LGBTQ community, are once again being challenged, it is very important to look into our past and recognize the work that has already been done, the blood that has already been shed, the rights that have already been fought for, and the freedoms that we are still fighting for so that we have a solid background of who are as a community and why we are here today. As Queen Mother Nicole of the International Court System would say “Those who do not know their past, will not know where they are going."
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
On a personal level, I think this film will resonate to all LGBTQ individuals in respect to the concept of gender identity and expression. The Imperial Council has an interesting play between Emperors and Empresses, a binary structure within the community that they established themselves. I find it very peculiar, this playful mockery of the gender binary in the form of nobles, majesties and royal courts, but all under the purposeful umbrella of raising money for the community and for those who need it. What could be a more fantastic and creative way of facing the odds?
A universal theme that everyone can relate to is the spirit of giving. The basic humanity in all of us, LGBTQ or not – the spirit of giving – is always powerful and forces us to connect with one another, irrespective of religion, beliefs, nationality and differences. When you give, you build community, you empower the weak, and you empower yourself.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The greatest challenge of the film was to tell a 50-year history. The amount of archival material was as overwhelming as the stories that we’ve gathered in the 4 years of production. There are so many storylines that did not make it into the final cut. One is of an Empress named Tessie who founded the Tenderloin Tessie, an organization that has been feeding the homeless of San Francisco for more than 40 years and counting. The film has gone through countless iterations to say the least.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
That this film is very important and must be told everywhere.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yes, it made me question what other queer histories need to be told.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
My ultimate goal is to reach the younger audiences so that may have a chance to learn about this specific history.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All of the above.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like for this film to be included in high school and college curriculums and academic programs. I’d like for it to be available on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu so that it is easily accessible worldwide.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Who was the very first openly gay man/drag queen who ran for public office in the United States?
Would you like to add anything else?
Join an Imperial Council Chapter near you, visit http://www.impcourt.org/ and http://www.imperialcouncilsf.org/ and learn about the what a wonderful and colorful community they are. There are 74 chapters in the US, Canada and Mexico.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am finishing another feature length Documentary called #MyNameIs, the story of a protest movement against Facebook’s real name policy which has affected transgenders, drag queens, Native Americans, domestic abuse survivors, artists and other communities all around the world.
Interview: June 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
50 Years of Fabulous
The story of the oldest surviving LGBT charity organization in the world.
Length: 82 mins
Director: Jethro Patalinghug
Producer: Marc Smolowitz, David Lassman
Writer: Jethro Patalinghug
About the writer, director and producer:
JETHRO PATALINGHUG is a Filipino immigrant and gay filmmaker based in San Francisco, California. 50 Years of Fabulous is his first feature documentary film.
Key cast: Jos Sarria, Marlena, Khmera Rouge, Kevin Lisle
Looking for: producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SFICDocumentary
Twitter: @50yearsoffab
Instagram: @50yearsoffab
Funders: San Francisco Community
Made in association with: The GLBT Historical Society and 13th Gen Inc.
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Cinema Q Denver, Vancouver Queer Film Festival