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The flair for the theatrical is at the core of “Lavender Men.” The film is set in a small theater where a rather mediocre play about Abraham Lincoln is being staged. But no sooner has the proverbial curtain come down on that self-serious proposition (with but a handful of people in the audience) than Lovell Holder’s film, co-written by creator and star Roger Q. Mason, truly begins. Described as a “fantasia” created within the mind of Mason’s Taffeta (the play’s stage manager), “Lavender Men” is a heady and meta-theatrical excavation of Lincoln’s long-rumored gay affair that’s wildly ambitious if a tad overstuffed.

“Lavender Men” began, as seems obvious from its logline, as a play. With Taffeta, a self-described Black, Filipinx, queer plus-size character, Mason devised a theatrical conceit wherein the stage would help recast the sanitized version of Lincoln the U.S. has been presented in schools.

The filmmakers behind Lover of Men, the new documentary examining whether former President Abraham Lincoln may have been gay, are proud of the film that they made, regardless of the trolling from conservative pundits.

Director Shaun Peterson’s feature Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln is now playing in theaters and will be available via VOD on Oct. 8. The movie uses interviews with prominent Lincoln scholars, in addition to dramatizations and access to never-before-seen photographs and letters, to suggest that the revered politician had romantic relationships with men. The film focuses on four men — including close friend Joshua Speed — with whom Lincoln shared a bed at separate points in his life, according to this research.

“I’ve been researching this for a very long time, since around 2007,” Peterson tells The Hollywood Reporter. “[There was] fluidity that existed throughout human history, before the words and ideas ‘homosexual’ and ‘heterosexual’ were...

For over a century, historians gazed upon Abraham Lincoln as one of America’s most celebrated leaders—the man who guided the nation through civil war and issued the moving Emancipation Proclamation. But Lincoln’s personal life remained shrouded, hiding intimate friendships that challenge our view of him. Now, new filmmaker Shaun Peterson brings these whispers to light, introducing Lincoln as someone far more relatable.

Lover of Men tells the quiet story of four relationships central to Lincoln’s world. It explores his unlikely bond with Joshua Speed, unfolding like a friendship far beyond norms. We see Lincoln drawn to others too: young Elmer Ellsworth, a spark lighting Lincoln’s final challenging years, and David Derickson, a protector growing close in private hours.

Through letters and snapshots, Peterson pieces together a different picture of Lincoln, one of vulnerable connection. Experts analyze subtle cues from another era, finding clues where once few looked.

Docs are prominent among specialty releases this weekend with South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker renovating a massive Mexican restaurant and creative takes on psychics, oysters, Abraham Lincoln and Casablanca bread riots. The Thicket starring Peter Dinklage marks Tubi Films’ first non-day-and-date release. French Canadian chiller Red Rooms gets a U.S bow from Utopia. Screens for indie fare have been scarce and are now running over with Tim Burton’s anticipated wide release Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor! starts a limited run this weekend and has been racking up significant presales that promise one of the highest per-screen averages for a documentary since Covid at its first stop, Alamo Denver. Deadline hears theaters initially scheduled two shows a day but have been upping that to 4-5 shows, possibly with more to be added.

Directed by Arthur Bradford, the doc premiered at Tribeca where it won the audience award,...

In “Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln” director Shaun Peterson makes a compelling case that Honest Abe was queer.

The 102-minute doc features 20 Lincoln scholars and historians and never-before seen photographs and letters that argue that there is no denying that Lincoln had sexual relations with men. The film presents a plethora of evidence that the former president was involved with a series of men — four of significance. One of those men was Joshua Speed, with whom Lincoln shared a bed with for four years, according to the film which says it is widely documented.

“Lover Of Men’ explores not just Lincoln’s sexual preferences but the history of human sexual fluidity and the profound differences between sexual mores of the nineteenth century and those of today.

The doc, which makes its theatrical debut on Friday, recently partnered with Special Occasion Studios and the Human Rights Campaign...

The upcoming Abraham Lincoln documentary, Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln, explores the relationships former President Lincoln had with the men in his life. Special Occasion Studios, who is producing the film, has announced a partnership with the Human Rights Campaign. Announced on Thursday, Variety reported the partnership between the two. If tickets are purchased through the Human Rights Campaign link, a portion of the proceeds from the purchase of tickets will benefit the Hrc. HRCs vice president of membership Dane Grams spoke about the partnership, saying he was proud to be part of the film's release and be the exclusive beneficiary of the documentary.

"It is an important conversation, at an important time in our nation as we barrel toward a consequential election in which our freedoms including our freedom to love who we love and be who we are and live openly with pride are on the line.

Special Occasion Studios and the Human Rights Campaign (Hrc) announced Thursday a partnership with the new feature documentary film, “Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln.”

Opening Sept. 6 and directed by Shaun Peterson, “Lover of Men” examines Lincoln’s intimate and romantic relationships with men throughout his life.

A portion of tickets sales from “Lover of Men” will benefit Hrc when moviegoers use the organization’s custom ticket purchase link.

“The Human Rights Campaign is proud to be the exclusive beneficiary of ‘Lover of Men,’” said Hrc’s vice president of membership Dane Grams. “It is an important conversation, at an important time in our nation — as we barrel toward a consequential election in which our freedoms — including our freedom to love who we love and be who we are and live openly with pride — are on the line.”

The documentary features Lincoln scholars and never-before seen photographs and letters.

Was Abraham Lincoln gay? That’s the thesis behind the new documentary “Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln.” From director Shaun Peterson, the film stays away from gossips and sticks with facts as told by historians such as Professor John Stauffer and Professor

The post Was Abraham Lincoln Gay? Inside the Making of “Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln” appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.

Abraham Lincoln is best known as the 16th President of the United States of America. A Republican, Lincoln led the Union during the Civil War and is responsible for the abolition of slavery in the United States of America. He is also the first U.S. President to end up being assassinated (one of only four).

And while Lincoln is one of America’s greatest politicians and a figure who changed modern American history, not many people know about his private life, which has recently been a hot topic among historians. We know that he was married to Mary Todd Lincoln until his death and that the couple had four children.

But, nevertheless, some modern historians have been claiming that they have evidence that Lincoln was actually a homosexual, and a new documentary – Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln – set to be released on September 6, 2024, explores the known and unknown facts,...

We're just two weeks away from Fantastic Fest and the lineup looks nothing short of "fantastic".. pun intended as I'm on the Jury for this section. What's been added you ask?

The Us premier of Lars von Trier's incredible Antichrist (review)

The Us premier of Spanish zombie sequel [Rec 2]

A sneak preview of Ninja Assassin

A sneak preview of supposed realistic horror Paranormal Activity which has been finally loosed after being hidden by Hollywood for a year or so.

Full list after the break includes shorts!

Antichrist Us Premiere

(dir. Lars Von Trier, 2009, Denmark)

Lars Von Trier rocked the Croisette at Cannes this year with his latest beautiful, visceral opus with themes on depression, insanity and arrogance. It's also got talking animals and some truly inspired horror moments.

The Bare Breasted Countess

(dir. Jesus Franco, 1973, France/Belgium)

Jess Franco directs his muse Lina Romay in this surreal story of a...