With this being the 25th anniversary of Outfest, opening night at the Orpheum Theatre last night took on even more meaning with Outfest Executive Director Steven Guttwillig, who described Outfest as "12 days of same-sex celluloid," giving a rousing speech about how far the festival - and queer cinema - have come since 1982. He paid tribute to "the filmmakers who spent money they'll never get back to make movies we'll never forget."
The opening night film, "Save Me" was so well-done and thought-provoking. Produced by and starring Chad Allen, Judith Light and Robert Gant, it is about a home where gays go to try and become ex-gays and embrace Christ. So great to have out actors Allen and Gant in the opening night film and both are very good in their roles as men who fall in love while in this facility run by Light's character.
What stood out for me the most was the journey that Allen's character takes and how he really seems to find himself after being so lost and how, in the end, he makes his own choices and doesn't feel bad about himself. But he had to get there and Allen makes his journey believable and touching. But Judith Light is the real revelation here. My God. She inhabits this role so completely and gives so much depth to a very conflicted character with many layers. She conveys what she is thinking or feeling so well just with the look on her face. I was so impressed with Light and I hope she gets award recognition for her superb work.
"Save Me" was an excellent choice for opening night movie and I chatted briefly with Chad Allen before the screening:
"It's so exciting. I've been coming to Outfest for years and for my first picture as a producer to be able to open Outfest is just an extraordinary experience. I want people to watch the movie and to ultimately know that they are loved. Period. If you want to call it God, call it God. If you want to call it our community, call it our community but know that you are loved and OK just the way you are."

Well said.