Muka Flicks Ltd

Say My Name - May 2009

Say My Name (SMN) shares certain things with Rag Tag, two engaging strong black men caught up in a difficult love, but overall, it is a very different beast and the ride we’re having won’t let me forget it.

For one thing, I didn’t write it. That was the enormously talented KofiKofiKofi.com. Our collaboration dates back to the first time I saw Say My Name at the Royal Court Theatre in 2006. It was part of their ‘Look Back in Anger’ series, and while in the company of several other bitingly excellent pieces, only Say My Name chewed me up.

It took me a while to track Kofi down, but once I did, it was clear we had a common vision for the work. For both of us it was always meant as the start of something - a feature film, or maybe a full length play. But we knew that if we did it right, our 12 minute hybrid theatre film would convey the sparkle of Chris and Ricky. And once that’s established, the way would be lit for bigger, brighter things.

Validation that we’d succeeded came when we were officially selected for OUTFEST, one of the most prestigious Gay and Lesbian film festivals in the world. I am aware of many remarkable films that didn’t make their cut this year, so we were especially pleased with the invitation.

As Say My Name was to premiere in America, it was unclear when our dedicated UK collaborators would have a chance to see it, so we put together a private sneak peak. It was graciously sponsored by MFL’s long-term partners Stella and Vivienne at Cucumba, and generously supported by their neighbours at the 16mm Cafe. Our superb host and hostesses Keynes, Sarah-Ann, Heather, Elaine and Gigi enchanted, fed and herded the four groups of 16 people who went in for the first ever showings– and thanks to our outstanding professional photographers Davide and Alastair, our viewer’s faces are captured in as glorious technicolour too.

We were heartened by our first public feedback – while the accents and language proved challenging for some audience members, none of them missed the meaning, and many were deeply moved.

So by the time we arrived in LA for OUTFEST, we were quietly confident things would go okay. Having been to the festival before I had some idea what to expect, but it was all new to Kofi and Ayo.

As usual we were dazzled by pure star power for the opening night party - Christina Ricci, Benjamin Bratt, Lisa Kudrow, and the one that had me salivating – the very cute and surprisingly compact Josh Brolin. Sitting in the same movie theatre as me. Shaking their booties on the same dance floor as me.

Although still one of the more lavish events on the circuit the effects of the credit crisis were still apparent in OUTFEST. One third of the usual programme was cut. Hotel accommodation was severely restricted, so I was hosted by the utterly lovely Shaun and Tucker in their home. There was also a marked absence of food at most of the events too, but since it was Hollywood – the show must go on, and there was more than enough booze to shock and awe.

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With sponsors like Stella Artois and Absolut Vodka – every film slot had a pre and post drinks party, and screenings became synonymous with party-time. Still, the highlight of the festival remains the amazing annual brunch in the mansion on Mulholland Drive. Good times, sober or otherwise.

There were also more British filmmakers than usual – and we had the pleasure of bonding with them at several events, most notably the brunch organised by the British Council. Familiar faces like our own fairy godmother Face Productions Sam Sprecher, always make LA a delight. She really came through for us when we had to have our film Certified by a Notary before the bodies at HBO would even cast eyes on it.

Midway through, I was feeling a tiny bit ragged from over-celebrating and needed an evening away from it all. And no, I’m not just making excuses for my obsession. I have never hidden my overblown crush on Chris Pine since watching Star Trek a few weeks before, so when the opportunity arose to see Captain Phine himself at the theatre starring in Farragut North, I sprung. Honestly though, even if he hadn’t been even more beautiful in the flesh as in all my fantasies, his performance would have stolen me anyway. Solid showings from the rest of the cast, but my man’s talent was head and shoulders above. Chatting with his charming self afterwards also finished any hope of saving me from his spell. Tru luv.

But I had to return to earth for our screening near the end of the festival. Again, OUTFEST generously gave us a good movie-going Saturday evening slot, so by Thursday screening was sold out. But even without the pressure to sell tickets, Kofi and Ayo never relaxed their charm offensive and I’m pretty sure everyone that had anything to do with the festival knew Say My Name was in town.

My American ma Ella, local girl that she is, also rallied further troops, while our editor Amy’s Ma flew in to join Rag Tag veterans Lise and Kalilah for the screening. Surrounded by so many well wishers, our night was all tied up in a bow before it had happened. Yet, it wouldn’t be showbizness without a few surprises. ‘Weak Species’, one of the shorts in our collection, had already caused a lot of controversy at Sundance and other major film festivals, and it didn’t fail to shock here. Luckily Say My Name screened before it did, as several people left once Weak Species started. Some threw up outside and an ambulance had to be called for the person who fainted in the lobby. Let’s just say everyone was talking about our screening right until the end of the festival a couple of days later. No such thing as bad publicity, right?

Most importantly though, our trip to Hollywood was a much cherished chance for Ayo, Kofi and I to reconnect and start working out the next steps in our journey. In between soul-searching chats and endless belly laughs in our top notch LA mobile we began to imagine our destination in what promises to be an expedition that will reward at least as much as it demands. Even in these early days of our campaign, we know it’s going to be an unregrettable ride.

Adaora x