Pedro Premieres Tonight!
April 1, 2009
The MTV original movie Pedro, which follows the remarkable life of Pedro Zamora, premieres tonight at 8/7c on four networks: MTV, mtvU, Logo and MTV Tr3s, where the film will be subtitled in Spanish. We urge you to watch this emotional film and remember the impact that Pedro has had on all of our lives.
Written by Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk), the movie goes beyond what viewers saw in 1994 on The Real World: San Francisco. Yes, he was the first openly gay person living with HIV regularly seen on television, but of course Pedro was so much more than that. For many, he remains a touchstone for not only the gay community, but for those living with HIV and AIDS.
President Bill Clinton, who has long credited Zamora with personalizing and humanizing the AIDS epidemic, will introduce the film when it is broadcast across four networks.
“To this day, Pedro Zamora remains an extraordinary example of what a huge impact one young person can make in our world,” President Clinton said in a statement. “I’m glad to have known him, and I’m grateful his life has been able to inspire and enrich so many others.”
“Our historic, simultaneous premiere of the film across multiple networks demonstrates the power of Pedro’s journey to reach a vast array of audiences, just as it did 15 years ago,” said Brian Graden, President of Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Channels and President of Logo. “His story originally ignited a national dialogue, permanently impacted our consciousness around the challenges of HIV, and gave untold millions the courage to open up about their sexual orientation. For those of us who remember him as a treasured television friend, and for a new generation coming to his story for the first time, we remain grateful for the gift of his story.”
Be sure to watch the trailer here and tune in tonight for the world premiere of Pedro.
What to Watch: Wednesday
April 1, 2009
You know we usually advocate for strict adherence to our REALITY WEDNESDAYS program, but this week we’ll make an exception. TiVo your favorite unscripted shows and watch Pedro, an original movie about Pedro Zamora, airing on MTV, mtvU, Logo and MTVTr3s at 8 pm.
> 8:00 PM America’s Next Top Model, The CW (1 hr) NEW
The remaining models must perfect their facial expressions, which should be hard for Allison, the one who looks like a deer in headlights. All the time. Mr. & Miss J. lend a hand – and, if possible, a miracle.
> 8:00 PM Pedro, MTV, mtvU, Logo and MTVTr3s (2 hrs) NEW
This original movie about Pedro Zamora is broadcast on four networks tonight, so you don’t have any excuse to miss a minute! The touching tribute is written by Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk) so you know it has to be good.
> 9:00 PM American Idol, Fox (1 hr) NEW
It’s elimination time… Surely gay singer Adam Lambert won’t be cut, right?
> 10:00 PM The Real World: Brooklyn, MTV (1 hr) SEASON FINALE
Get out your hankies, kids: the roommates are saying goodbye. Be sure to take a moment to celebrate the most LGBT-inclusive Real World in history!
> 10:00 PM Make Me a Supermodel, Bravo (1 hr) NEW
Another one bites the dust! Gay model Shawn was eliminated last week, leaving and bi cutie CJ to represent the LGBT contestants. If she’s the next to go, at least we’ve got lesbian judge Jenny Shimizu to represent Team Rainbow.
PS Film Fest Weekend Finale
January 16, 2009
The 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival comes to an end this weekend with a great collection of LGBT films, including the premiere of Dustin Lance Black’s Pedro. If you’re lucky, you can still snag tickets here.
Friday, January 16
Clapham Junction
9:30 AM Palm Springs Regal 9
Baby Love
10:30 AM Camelot Theatres
For My Wife
12:30 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
Valentino: The Last Emporer
4:00 PM Palm Springs High School
Pedro
6:00 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
Woman’s Hearts
7:30 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
Saturday, January 17
Pedro
9:30 AM Palm Springs Regal 9
I Can’t Think Straight
10:30 AM Camelot Theatres
Valentino: The Last Emporer
12:00 PM Palm Springs High School
Showgirls, Provincetown, MA
12:30 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
Woman’s Hearts
2:30 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
Sunday, January 18
Born in 68
6:30 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
For a comprehensive guide to the festival’s LGBT playlist, check out our glaadBLOG post.
Pedro Premieres Friday in Palm Springs
January 15, 2009
Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black returns to the big screen as the writer of the fact-based Pedro, which premieres at the 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. On Friday there are six (!!) LGBT films to choose from at the festival. Check here to see how many tix you can still get your hands on.
Friday, January 16
Clapham Junction
9:30 AM Palm Springs Regal 9
Baby Love
10:30 AM Camelot Theatres
For My Wife
12:30 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
Valentino: The Last Emporer
4:00 PM Palm Springs High School
Pedro
6:00 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
Woman’s Hearts
7:30 PM Palm Springs Regal 9
For a snapshot of the festival’s LGBT playlist, check out our glaadBLOG post.
Dustin Lance Black Delivers Another Strong Biopic
January 13, 2009
Dustin Lance Black, the award-winning screenwriter of Milk, has done it again: He’s crafted an engaging biopic for a mainstream audience to enjoy. Pedro is about the life of Pedro Zamora, best known as the HIV-positive castmember of The Real World: San Francisco.
Alex Loynaz
Instead of dwelling exclusively on the months spent in The Real World house, the film delves deep into the life of Zamora, focusing on his close-knit Cuban family, his relationship with partner Sean Sasser, and the devotion of his friends, Judd and Pam, who he met while filming the reality series.
As you might expect from Black, the writing is nuanced and true to the subject. Often, it felt as if I were watching an MTV special chock full of interviews from The Real World: SF cast speaking their minds to the cameras. The casting is top-notch, with stand-out performances from Alex Loynaz (Pedro), Justina Machado (Pedro’s sister, Mily) and DaJuan Johnson (Sean).
Many Hollywood heavies have thrown their weight behind Pedro. Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland (Quinceanera) acted as executive producers. Paris Barclay (In Treatment) produced the film and developed the story with Black. And the movie is brought to us by MTV and Bunim/Murray Productions, the same team that produces The Real World series.
Lucky for you, The Palm Springs International Film Festival is screening the film Friday and Saturday. Unlucky for you, the Friday screening is already sold out. Tickets are still available for Saturday, but they’re going fast. Click here for more info.
Tickets Now on Sale for Palm Springs Film Fest
January 1, 2009
Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black will premiere his new film, Pedro, at the 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, alongside 17 other LGBT-inclusive films Jan 8-19. In addition, both Sean Penn and Gus Van Sant are being honored for their work in Milk during the festival’s opening gala on Tuesday, January 6.
Between Sundance and Palm Springs (and Berlin hot on their heels!) how can you possibly plan all your LGBT viewing? Here’s a snapshot of the LGBT-inclusive film schedule happening in Palm Springs. Fortunately, all movies screen twice!
Friday, January 09
7:00 PM Eugene
7:00 PM Patrik, Age 1.5
Saturday, January 10
10:00 AM Eugene
10:00 AM Patrik, Age 1.5
6:30 PM Suddenly, Last Winter
7:00 PM American Primitive
Sunday, January 11
12:30 PM Suddenly, Last Winter
7:30 PM Prodigal Sons
Monday, January 12
10:00 AM Of Time and the City
7:30 PM Ready? OK!
Tuesday, January 13
10:00 AM Prodigal Sons
1:30 PM American Primitive
3:30 PM Clapham Junction
4:00 PM Of Time and the City
7:30 PM Baby Love
Wednesday, January 14
9:30 AM Born in 68
1:30 PM Ready? OK!
3:30 PM Be Like Others
4:30 PM I Can’t Think Straight
7:30 PM Chef’s Special
Thursday, January 15
9:30 AM Be Like Others
1:30 PM Chef’s Special
3:30 PM For My Wife
6:30 PM Showgirls, Provincetown, MA
Friday, January 16
9:30 AM Clapham Junction
10:30 AM Baby Love
12:30 PM For My Wife
4:00 PM Valentino: The Last Emporer
6:00 PM Pedro
7:30 PM Woman’s Hearts
Saturday, January 17
9:30 AM Pedro
10:30 AM I Can’t Think Straight
12:00 PM Valentino: The Last Emporer
12:30 PM Showgirls, Provincetown, MA
2:30 PM Woman’s Hearts
Sunday, January 18
6:30 PM Born in 68
Pedro
December 27, 2008
LGBT Content: Gay
Genre: Drama, 93 min.
Rating: NR
Director: Nick Oceano
Writer: Dustin Lance Black
Starring: Alex Loynaz, Justina Machado, DaJuan Johnson, Hale Appleman, Jenn Liu
Distributor: MTV
Release Date: USA, 2009
Synopsis: Diagnosed with HIV before even graduating high school, Pedro Zamora dedicated his remaining years to raising awareness and understanding of the disease. Openly gay, Pedro became a spokesperson for his community and won the hearts of millions through his stint on MTV’s “The Real World,” before succumbing to AIDS at the age of 22.
Official Website: PedroTheMovie.com
Screening at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
Friday, January 16, 6:00 PM
Palm Springs Regal 9
Saturday, January 17, 9:30 AM
Palm Springs Regal 9
