On Friday, January 30 Reel Affirmations will welcome Director Blair Dorosh-Walther, Producer Giovanna Chesler and documentary subject Patreese Johnson to the screening of their award winning documentary Out In The Night. The screening will include a filmmaker reception and Q&A.
Out in the Night is a documentary that tells the story of a group of young Arican-American lesbians who are out one hot August night in 2006, in the gay friendly neighborhood of New York City. As they walk under the hot neon lights of tattoo parlors in the West Village, an older man sexually and violently confronts them. Two of the women are the focus – gender non-conforming Renata Hill, a single mother with a soft heart and keen sense of humor, and petite femme Patreese Johnson, a shy and tender poet.
The man says to Patreese “let me get some of that” as he points below her waist. When she says that they are gay, the man becomes violent and threatens to “fuck them straight”. He spits and throws a lit cigarette, yanks out hair from Venice’s head, and chocks Renata, which is all captured on a nearby security camera. Then, Patreese pulls a knife from her purse and swings at him. Strangers jump in to defend the women and the fight escalates. As the fight comes to an end, all get up and walk away. But 911 has been called and the man involved has been stabbed. Police swarm to the scene as their radios blast out warning of a gang attack. The women are rounded up and charged with gang assault, assault, and attempted murder.
Three of the women plead guilty. But Renata, Patreese, Venice and friend Terrain claim their innocence. They are called a “Gang of Killer Lesbians” by the media. In activist circles they become known as The New Jersey 4.
Director and Producer Blair Dorosh-Walther worked for six years to bring this story to the screen. Out in the Night has been awarded several festival jury awards and audience awards and screened at over fifty international festivals since it’s world premiere in June 2014.
The Washington, D.C. screening takes place Friday, January 30 at the Human Rights Campaign located at 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. The filmmaker reception will occur after the 7 p.m. screening and Q&A. All VIP ticketholders are invited to enjoy catered food, libations, VIP Seating,cand recognition. Tickets are currently almost sold out, so organizers urge guests to purchase tickets at the door before 6 p.m.
