Director Reed Cowan's documentary on
the Mormon Church's decades-old involvement in the fight to ban gay
marriage in the United States will open in limited markets June 18.
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The Mormon Proposition premiered in January at the Sundance
Film Festival in Park City, Utah, just 30 miles from the world
headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The film is the first for newly-formed
independent film distributor Red Flag Releasing, which is headed by
Paul Federbush and Laura Kim, two film industry veterans. The pair
hope to distribute as many as four independent features per year.
Proposition focuses on
California's 2008 fight over Proposition 8, the ballot measure that
outlawed gay marriage in the state.
“This film is for those who've
suffered from religious bigotry,” Cowan, who is openly gay, said in
a statement. “Its sold-out screenings at Sundance and in Salt Lake
City are the first step for people to learn the truth about such a
damaging and divisive effort.”
The film is narrated by Milk
scribe Dustin Lance Black.
Proposition will open in 14
markets on June 18, including New York, Los Angeles and Salt Lake
City, and in San Francisco, Berkeley and Santa Rosa on June 25.
A Wolfe DVD release of the film is
scheduled for July.
“This is a vitally important
documentary for the gay community,” Maria Lynn, president of Wolfe,
said in a statement. “The message is urgent and we believe it will
spur those who watch it to get politically involved.”
Gay Entertainment Report is a feature
of On Top Magazine and can be reached at
ontopmag@ontopmag.com.