“Married in Spandex” is a documentary about a same-sex couple saying their I do’s clad in gold spandex and lame.
The film follows Rachel Turanski and Amanda Kole from West Philadelphia to the cornfields of Ames, Iowa, to exchange vows. The ceremony was officiated by internet-celebrity and satirical rapper Leslie Hall.
The film’s Florida debut will take place at The Tampa Theatre at 4 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 15.
The wedding started out as a road trip for friends, but soon became a family gathering, said co-director Devin Gallagher.
The film provides a new slant on same-sex marriage, he said.
“The friends of Rachel and Amanda were against marriage in general,” he said, noting that these were friends of theirs who were gay. These issues made for an interesting case, he said.
In the film’s preview, bride Rachel laughs into the camera after explaining the difficulty of asking friends or family to be a part of her and Amanda’s marriage “in gold spandex by our favorite musical performer in Iowa.”
The couple chose Iowa because Leslie Hall, self-proclaimed “Mid-West Diva,” and front woman of pop group “Leslie & The LY’s” offers to officiate same-sex weddings on her website. Also, same-sex marriage is legal in Iowa, unlike Pennsylvania.
Gallagher said Hall, seen in the film preview gyrating in spandex and golden glitter tennis shoes, was the catalyst for the wedding theme.
“She’s … a very flamboyant, very colorful performer,” Gallagher said, before acknowledging he was “unable to find the words” to describe Hall.
On Hall’s website, she offers an array of optional wedding features, including an “illegal fireworks display,” “plants,” and a “Dairy Queen cake.” One feature Rachel and Amanda opted for was a personalized love song.
The Tampa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, which opened Oct. 6, will present the film. After the screening, a Q&A will follow with filmmakers Gallagher and Allison Kole.
Kole is no stranger to Florida, being a University of Florida alumnus and previous resident for many years. “Married in Spandex” marks Kole’s first documentary.
The film was voted audience favorite at its first premiere at QFest in Philadelphia, and won the Jury award for best Iowa Film at Hardacre Film Festival.
Moviegoers can see select movies at the Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Theatre, and Muvico Baywalk in downtown St. Petersburg.
A variety of film festival passes are available at www.tiglff.com.
Single tickets can also be purchased for each film for $9.50.
The 22nd Annual Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival runs until Oct. 16.
Come say hello if you attend Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Saturday and don’t forget to catch our film. More information including photos and more screening dates here: http://www.marriedinspandex.com.