Samuel Goldwyn Films presents SATURDAY CHURCH, written and directed by Damon Cardasis.
- Winner: OUTFEST 2017 – Best Actor: Luka Kain
- TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2017 – Audience Award: Runner-Up
- BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL 2017 – Official Selection
“This is a film of great warmth, humor and love. Gets at something vivid and intense about the adversity of being young and closeted. [Cardasis] shines a light on a subculture we don’t really see in mainstream cinema.” – Jason Bailey, FLAVORWIRE
“A crowd pleaser. A rousing celebration of one boy’s search for his identity.” – Joe McGovern, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
“A bold debut. Half musical and half drama, it finds balance in poetic stillness and exuberant motion. A racially and sexually diverse rumination on identity that defies simple definition in its low-key elegance.” – Jacob Oller, PASTE MAGAZINE
“Luka Kain delivers a stunning, career-launching performance.” – Doris Toumarkine, FILM JOURNAL
“As vibrant as it is vital. Tells the coming-out story of a young black gay man… as a musical, blending elements of [Moonlight and La La Land] into a winning new combination. Dynamically choreographed identity-empowerment ballads that would be right at home on either next year’s Oscar ballot or NYC vogue ball playlist.” – Peter Debruge, VARIETY
“Saturday Church is a charmer. Cardasis brings a sensitive eye to the subject. He observes the milieu with grit and honesty but also with a light touch.” – David Rooney, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Synopsis: SATURDAY CHURCH tells the story of 14-year-old Ulysses, a shy and effeminate boy, who finds himself coping with new responsibilities as “man of the house” after the death of his father. Living alongside his mother, younger brother, and conservative aunt, Ulysses is also struggling with questions about his gender identity. He finds an escape by creating a world of fantasy filled with dance and music. Ulysses’ journey takes a turn for the better when he encounters a vibrant transgender community, who take him to “Saturday Church,” a program for LGBTQ youth. Ulysses manages to keep his two worlds apart; appeasing his aunt and discovering his passion for the NYC ball scene, and voguing, until his double life is revealed. Ulysses must find the courage to be who he truly is, all while risking losing those he cares about most.
TRT: 82 min.
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Director: Damon Cardasis
Writer: Damon Cardasis
Cast: Luka Kain, Margot Bingham, Regina Taylor, Marquis Rodriguez, MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Alexia Garcia, Kate Bornstein, Jaylin Fletcher
Producers: Mandy Tagger-Brockey, Adi Ezroni, Damon Cardasis, Rebecca Miller
Executive Producers: Sharon Chang, Luigi Caiola, Isabel Henderson, Lia Mayer-Sommer, Kirk Michael Fellows
SATURDAY CHURCH opens in theaters, on demand and on all digital platforms on January 12th, 2018.
