Queer history is a mix of stories both triumphant and tragic, and it’s vital that we know about all of them, even when they’re painful to revisit. That’s the case with the UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans that was the site of a horrific 1973 arson attack, one that trapped and killed 32 people. Until the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub, it was the deadliest attack on queer people in U.S. history. It was the subject of a book, “Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation,” as well as two documentaries. Now a narrative film is being readied, with the working title, “Tinderbox.” Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters and the film “Pillion” has signed on as producer, as have filmmakers Colby Holt and Sam Probst (“Ganymede”). Shears’ involvement should help push this along, and we’ll report back on its progress.
‘Unzipped’ zips back into theaters this fall
Cindy Crawford shooing away a close-up shot with, “Hello, my pores are not that small” is just one of the memorable moments contained in the effervescent 1994 fashion documentary “Unzipped.” That’s the one where fashion photographer turned documentary filmmaker Douglas Keeve aimed his camera at then-boyfriend Isaac Mizrahi, a designer who came into his own that decade and who runway-dressed not just Crawford but Naomi, Christy, Linda and the up-and-comer Kate Moss. If you were too young or too unfashionable in 1994, you have a second chance to see this upbeat, charming slice of that decade’s pop culture in all its glory, as Janus Films re-releases it theatrically this fall. All of the “Supers” are here, and many more, including legends like Eartha Kitt and Faye Dunaway, as the film follows a Mizrahi collection from start to glorious finish, the creative process happily laid out for non-industry watchers to enjoy. It hits theaters in late September with a nationwide expansion to follow. Plan your outfits.
‘Test’ takes queer Christian bodybuilding into the spotlight
Go back in time 35 years: ACT UP and Queer Nation were making LGBTQ+ history. Meanwhile, the straights were fascinated by a couple of gay bodybuilders in love: Bob Paris and Rod Jackson were becoming famous for being exactly who they were, on the covers of magazines, on talk shows, everywhere. They were blowing people’s minds and upsetting the bodybuilding status quo, which has always skewed hetero and which at the time did not want to hear from them. Add religion to the mix and you’ve got the atmosphere of for this 2026 drama: “Test.” From producer/director Sam McConnell (“The Trans List”) and actor Brock Yurich (“The Haves and The Have Nots”), it’s the quasi-autobiographical story (Yurich wrote the screenplay) of a Christian bodybuilder who finds himself falling for his coach. Yurich’s co-stars are “Glee” alum Matthew Morrison and Tony nominee Tammy Blanchard (“American Sport Story: Aaron Hernandez”). Sure, it’s another coming-out story, but every generation and every subculture has queer stories to be told, so what if it involves creatine? The film had its premiere in June at SXSW London, so look for it to hit queer fests before its proper release.
‘Carrie’ comes back from the grave
“Carrie” is queer canon even though it’s not officially a queer story. The 1974 novel from Stephen King led to the 1976 film from Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek, which led to remakes, reboots and an enduring love from LGBTQ+ audiences, who saw themselves in Carrie’s “other” status — and perhaps a little vicarious thrill over her ability to enact revenge. We already reported on the upcoming limited series, but now it’s ready to take its bow this fall on Prime, with a first-look teaser trailer online. The eight episodes from Mike Flanagan (“The Haunting of Hill House”) will deepen and expand the story in ways the original film could not, with new star Summer Howell (“Cult of Chucky”) as Carrie White in 2026, experiencing the kind of bullying that a social-media-free 1976 couldn’t even imagine. Samantha Sloyan (“The Pitt”) will play her abusive mother and trans actress Josie Totah will co-star is one of the villainous “mean girls.” Are you ready? Halloween and a blood-soaked prom night will be here sooner than you think, but the marketing department will let you know when that drop date arrives.
Romeo San Vicente was also a prom queen.