Cinema Diverse 2011: Military Cadets Sound Off with Shakespeare In PRIVATE ROMEO

When eight teenage cadets are left behind at an isolated military high school, the story of Romeo and Juliet seeps out of the classroom and into their lives in PRIVATE ROMEO. Forbidden romance, in this case between two of the male cadets, creates a powerful modern story, filled with a series of emotionally tumultuous situations that would leave any adolescent (or adult, for that matter) at a loss for words.

But words are provided by award-winning writer/director Alan Brown in the form of the original text of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s language slowly becomes the sole means of expression for the characters in PRIVATE ROMEO, forcing them to explore the profound drama of coming-of-age and sexual identity in a unique and moving way.

Brown, who wrote PRIVATE ROMEO as a political statement about personal freedom and rights versus authority, says that “As a gay man and an artist, I was frustrated by the political battles, and inaction, over gay equality, and by the heart-breaking epidemic of gay bullying. I thought Shakespeare would be the perfect vehicle for exploring these issues.” His vision came to life in this modern, and relevant story about sexual love and desire pitted against society and its institutions; about personal freedom and rights versus authority.

WINNER! Grand Jury Award, Outstanding Actor: The Cast of Private Romeo,

2011 OUTFEST Los Angeles

Cinema Diverse:
The Palm Springs Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Opens September 22nd and runs through September 25th, 2011
Full schedule available at: www.cinemadiverse.org

PASSES AND TICKETS (on sale, starting September 2nd):

All Access Pass (includes all
special events and all festival screenings) = $125.00

Festival Screenings = $12.50

Online:  www.camelottickets.com
Telephone:  1-888-718-4253 (Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Walkup: Camelot Theatres Box Office (7 days a week, 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM)
2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA, 92262


Sidebar:

Ticket Sales from Cinema Diverse benefit
the Palm Springs Cultural Center and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation


Founded in 2008 by Ric and Rozene Supple, the Palm Springs Cultural Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which was established to encourage the development of the cultural arts in the Coachella Valley with a specific focus in the areas of film, fine art, live performance, dance, music, and community festivals. The Center is dedicated to advancing education, to nurturing community-wide participation in the cultural arts, and to sponsoring scholarship awards for deserving individuals.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. The HRC Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Through research, educational efforts and outreach, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation encourages lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans to live their lives openly and seeks to change the hearts and minds of Americans to the side of equality.

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