Tonight: The Ski Trip

The first time we met Maurice Jamal was around 2000, at Ira's bar-b-q party during DC Black Gay Pride. He was leaving Oaktown and headed toward the big city to seek his fame and fortune. Since then, you could say that Maurice has made his mark; appearances on Chappelle’s Show and finally, in January '04, helming his first feature, The Ski Trip.

If you haven't seen or heard about the movie, it's a romantic comedy about life, love and the unexpected from a witty, black and gay perspective. The script and ensemble cast provide a Woody Allen-esque element, imagine Annie Hall or Hannah and Her Sisters meets Something's Gotta Give ... and the Ice Storm ... only with a fierce, blatino flava. The Ski Trip went on to become a darling of the indie festival circuit—"Best New Feature Film" at the Oakland Black Gay and Lesbian Film Festival—and tonight becomes the first black, gay feature to be broadcast on Logo.

In an interview at 7 Magazine—the new 'zine produced by NYC party promoter Nathan "Seven" Scott—Maurice says that the film's success demonstrates that the "impossible" ... is "possible."

It’s amazing to me. Here I am. Young, Black, Gay. Raised by a single parent. I am someone who society discounts and discards. And here I am. Making movies. Breaking ground. Pushing boundaries. And the audiences have been so embracing. It’s incredible. I am so happy. I feel so blessed.

It's a fresh, fun movie. Maurice's acting is just as strong as his direction; the script is funny, revealing and never drags. The ensemble cast is darling. There's plenty we could say about the film, but a few others have said it much better than we ever could:

Interview with Maurice Jamal (7 Magazine) Interview with Nathan Hale (7 Magazine) Review: The Ski Trip (Keith Boykin) The Ski Trip (Official Website)

The world broadcast premiere of The Ski Trip is tonight, Sunday, July 17 at 10/est on Logo. Nationwide, that's Channel 263 on DirecTV. Check here for local carriers.

Comments

[Chris]

We saw it at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival earlier this year. I liked it, but in the genre I think Punks was better, in some ways. The eye candy is great. Definitely worth seeing. A classic love story.

[taylorSiluwé]

I can't LOGO ... I want LOGO, waaaaaaahhh!

Comcast sucks for not getting it. To show my disapproval, i'm trying to get Direct TV, only problem, they came but can't get on my roof ... they have to get on a neighbor's roof through their 3rd floor window. Unfortunately, I'm not on the best of terms with said neighbor (she's been inviting me to her new business for weeks and I've failed to show). I know, I know ... Karma's a bitch. Only one thing to do now, go into suck-up mode.

[taylorSiluwé]

One more thing ...

the file names for those images (ski bottom, ski top), pretty clever rod ...;)

[prodigal sun]

I saw it... I know Maurice, he is a great guy... funny as hell. The movie was campy and funny but not over the top. Gotta support black film makers... YAAAAYE MAURICE!!! lol

[Holiday N]

Hey Roooood,
I saw the movie and I really liked it,although the writing and direction was a little shaky,the story was told correctly.Being Hag-ulous I've come in contact with every one of those characters and have heard them tell tales very similar to the movie.Very enjoyable.

[malik]

Saw it. Loved it. Wrote a letter to LOGO and the producers to thank them. Thank GAWD for TiVo!

[ej]

Now THAT was a damned good show. DAMNED good.

[Nathan "Seven" Scott]

the movie is a must see and everyone should tell their friends and write into the station. if we don't, then we won't see anymore like it. so whether you liked it or not, it's another door opened.

sup rod!

[Karl]

http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050713/COLUMNS25/507130340/1085/NEWS01
http://www.qtelevision.com/site/
http://www.qtelevision.com/site/iwantqnetworkpop.asp

Mayor's vision fully in focus
Cindy Uken
The Desert Sun
July 13, 2005

As a member of the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission in the 1990s, Ron Oden was instrumental in getting Black Entertainment Television included in the local programming lineup. Now Mayor, Oden is lobbying to get more programming included that focuses on yet another minority group - gays and lesbians.

But his vision for what it could bring is much broader than local programming; it's an economic opportunity.

Oden, widely thought to be the country's first openly gay black mayor, is lobbying strenuously to get Q Television Network, a Palm Springs-based network, included on the Time Warner Cable television lineup. Q Television Network is a nationally syndicated gay television network run by and programmed for an audience that identifies itself as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender - and straight. It would be a natural fit for Palm Springs, which boasts a significant gay and lesbian population.

But for Oden, this is about so much more than just adding a network that is gay- and lesbian-based; it's about doing what's right for Palm Springs. And that's what really gets his creative juices flowing.

This is the place where noted retailers like Nordstrom and J. Crew frequently come for print advertising and catalog shoots.

More than 800 shooting days - including movies, TV shows, commercials and still photography - netted the valley $28 million in revenues in 2004, according to the Inland Empire Film Commission.

With the right production studio, Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley just might be able to take things to the next level. Theoretically, it could become a Hollywood satellite that turns media production into a source for year-round, high-paying jobs?

"If they get on Time Warner, they are going to build a production studio in the city," Oden said. "It gives us another opportunity to do things here. They're going to syndicate some national shows and broadcast from here on a daily basis. We're moving, baby."

Oden said one of the complaints he often hears is that there is no place in Palm Springs to produce programs; if Q Television Network builds a studio here, that would void that complaint.

Time Warner corporate officers are trying to negotiate a nationwide agreement with the type of network product Q Television Network offers, said Kathi Jacobs, director of government and community relations for Time Warner. The company is considering three different products in the same network genre; Q Television Network is one of them. She said a decision in expected "sometime in the future."

Carol Hinnant, vice president of acquisitions for Q Television Network, said Tuesday, "We are still talking with Time Warner and hope for a positive resolution in the next couple of months."

As I've gotten to know Oden better during his tenure as mayor - and watch how he works - there are no accidents. Most everything he does is by design.

Earlier this year, he talked of his vision to reestablish Palm Springs as a playground for the stars. He enlisted the help of actors, singers, writers and others to brainstorm ways to attract more stars and visitors to the city - and bring the Hollywood allure back to the desert.

Once a bit static, the picture is starting to become much clearer. It's becoming a don't-miss drama.

[naturalblkluv]

First of all, I didn't know I had logo on my TV. After a few days of checking it out, I want to say, "good lord, how many lesbian moves are out there "?

I saw the movie, it has it funny moments, not too long, the writing is shaky and I think he could have done more character development. Instead he went with the stereotypical: nerd, dragon, hag, gym queen, slut, and comedian. I would recommend the movie. I kind of got the feeling of seeing a chick flick, like steal magnolias, or sister hood, ex wives club etc.... I just don't like movies that don't portray the whole gamut. These character could have easley been played by women. Maybe I didn't grow up in NYC, but referring to them selves as ladies, girls, and bitches got old real fast, but I guess the fem type will relate.