CinéWilde’s Friday screening of ‘The Birdcage’ also serves as a cinematic protest
FILE: Nathan Lane and Robin Williams in ‘The Birdcage.’ (MGM Studios) On Friday, Aug. 30, the queer film collective and series CinéWilde will present the 1996 comedy The Birdcage starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman and Dianne Weist at the Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff.
This month’s screening is specifically planned for that date as well. The lighthearted comedy based on La Cage Aux Folles will serve as a protest of another film released this week. “CinéWilde returns to its roots by providing Dallas with a queerly joyful screening of The Birdcage as an alternative to the biopic Reagan opening this weekend,” CinéWilde founder and producer DR Hanson said in an email. “As Reagan and his administration neglected the queer community for years, we’re asking Dallas to neglect his film opening weekend and do something divinely queer and gaily joyful like watch The Birdcage.” The biographical film stars Dennis Quaid as President Ronald Reagan with Penelope-Ann Miller, Jon Voight and Mena Suvari.
Reagan was directed by Sean McNamara who also directed such films as Aliens Stole My Body and Cats and Dogs 3: Paws Unite! Directed by Mike Nichols (The Graduate), The Birdcage centers on nightclub owner Armand Goldman and his partner Albert who also performs in drag at the club.
Their son, Val announces his engagement to Barbara, the daughter of the very conservative Republican Sen. Kevin Keeley. As Armand and Albert pretend to play it straight in front of Barbara’s parents for Val, the ruse to maintain a hetero facade becomes harder and harder.
