OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami will open its 24th edition with the first Florida live screening of B-Boy Blues at The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater on April 22 at 7 p.m.
B-Boy Blues is an African American romantic comedy-drama based on the 1994 groundbreaking, and beloved classic book by James Earl Hardy. Class and Culture Clash when Mitchell, a college-educated journalist from Brooklyn, and Raheim, a homeboy-bike messenger from Harlem, fall in love. Despite his friends’ misgivings and several red flags, Mitchell is enraptured by the incredibly sexy and smooth Raheim, but the repercussions of their mutual obsession will affect his work, friendships, and family. Described as “Moonlight” meets “Queer As Folk,” this unapologetic celebration of African American gay men will leave you wanting more. Directed by Jussie Smollett, the film stars Timothy Richardson, Thomas Mackie, Brandee Evans, Landon G. Woodson, Ledisi and Heather B. “B-Boy Blues” was the recipient of the 2021 Narrative Feature Fan Favorite at American Black Film Festival and an official selection of Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival 2022.
Watch the official trailer for B-Boy Blues.
“Representation and diversity are an important part of the foundation that OUTshine Film Festival Miami continues to build upon. OUTshine says gay,” said Mark Gilbert, board chair and interim executive director of OUTshine Film Festival. “‘B-Boy Blues’ is a brash exploration of cross-culture, identity and African American LGBT life that’s rarely seen on the big screen and it’s a film that everyone will enjoy. It’s important for us to share this classic story in context at one of Miami’s most significant African-American theater venues.”
An opening night party will also follow the film with guest of honor and Vanguard Award winner Patricia Velásquez. Velásquez is best known for her portrayal of Anck-su-namun in “The Mummy” (1990) and its sequel, “The Mummy Returns” (2001).
OUTshine special events of note also include the Ladies Spotlight Film, “Anaïs in Love” (2021), the South Florida premiere of the festival Centerpiece film “Girl Picture (Työt Työt Työt)” (2022) and the Men’s Spotlight film “Lonesome” (2021) plus the North American premieres of “All Our Fears” (2021) and “Swing Ride (Calcinculo)” (2022) and the U.S. premiere of “What We Know (Lo Que Sabemos)” (2021). Other films include award-winners “The Divide” (La Fracture)” (2021), “Finlandia” (2021), “Framing Agnes” (2021) and “Private Desert (Deserto Particular)” (2021). Festival Closing night will feature “Cop Secret” (2021) and OUTshine’s annual audience film awards soiree on May 1 at 6 p.m. at the Sandrell Rivers Theater.