Adapted from photographer William Yang's acclaimed stage performance, Sadness is a mesmerizing montage of storytelling, photography, and reenactment. On the first of two journeys, Yang travels to faraway North Queensland to investigate the murder of his uncle; along the way he discovers why his mother continually denied his Chinese heritage. The second is a journey into grief, in which Yang relates stories of friends who have died of AIDS. These two seemingly disparate threads are skillfully woven together to create an intensely moving documentary sustained by Yang's presence as a compassionate witness.

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Viewers need not be familiar with cabaret duo Bertram Ross and John Wallowitch to enjoy this delightful documentary. Each an acclaimed New York artist in his own right--Ross as Martha Graham's stunningly elegant lead dancer, and Wallowitch as a multi-talented songwriter, composer, and pianist–the mutual admirers began their happy relationship over three decades ago and later fused their artistic abilities with equal success. Through candid conversations, beautifully shot interviews, archival footage, and performance clips, director Richard Morris creates "an exceptionally tender portrait of partners on stage and in life...honest and intimate, straightforward but not sentimental... Morris wisely lets the partnership speak for itself" (Lael Lowenstein, Variety).

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Polk's debut feature focuses on the friendship of four fun-loving Black, gay men. At Miss Smokies, their local West Hollywood club, photographer Marcus, hellbent Dante, drag queen Chris, and heartbroken Hill rant, rave, and guide each other through the pursuit of love and friendship. "Polk is a multitalented writer/director who has created a wonderfully entertaining film full of fresh characters, snappy dialogue, and great performances from an exceptionally attractive cast. Drenched in a fantastic sound track (assembled by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds), Punks is sure to make glorious waves in the worlds of black and gay cinema" (Shari Frilot, Sundance Film Festival 2000).

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