Critically-acclaimed Independent documentary Art and Pep features the love, life and legacy of Art Johnston and José Pepe Peña.
Art and Pep, the feature documentary about LGBTQ+ civil rights leaders, Art Johnston and José Pepe Peña, owners of the iconic Sidetrack bar in Chicago, will be kicking off Pride Month on June 1.
For more than 40 years, Johnston and Peña have been a driving force behind LGBTQ+ equality in the heart of the country, with their bar fueling movements and creating community in Chicago’s Northside queer enclave. The film will also stream on Peacock beginning on June 1, 2023 and is available for purchase for educational and community screenings through Green Planet FilmsGreen Planet Films. More information can be found on their website artandpep.org.
The film, by Director Mecedes Kane, tells the inspiring story of the long struggle for equality and Johnston and Peña’s fight to allow everyone to love freely and has been lauded by critics and film festivals internationally, including:
- Premiering on Peacock on June 1, 2023
- World Premiere: Outfest 2022
- Invited to over 25+ film festivals worldwide
- Audience Choice, Best Documentary Film, Chicago International Film Festival
- Winner, Best Documentary, Stamped Film Festival
- “Works as both an intimate personal story and as a broader historical exploration … The result is a real charmer.” -Peter Sobcynski, RogerEbert.com
- “A simple love story about Art Johnston and Pepe Peña turned out to be a rich journey back in time.” -Joey Moser, AwardsDaily
- A joyous tribute to LGBTQ+ bar culture.” -Sam Rocher, AwardsWatch
- “Art and Pep is an inspiring reminder of what the LGBTQ+ community can be at its best, and a tribute to the vital role that our cherished bars continue to have at the centre of it.” -James Kleinmann, The Queer Review
- “At 40 years old, Sidetrack is a social and political force, and its owners are the subject of a new documentary.” -USA Today
- “The couple’s story, tied inextricably to Sidetrack and the movement for queer rights in Chicago, is the subject of director Mercedes Kane’s documentary, Art and Pep.” -Chicago Magazine
“This story couldn’t come at a more important time for our county,” said Kane. “ Art and Pep will allow families across the country to see this queer love story as a great American love story and the price a community had to pay simply to live and love freely.”
Art and Pep, distributed by Espresso Media International, will premiere on June 1 on NBCUniversal’s Peacock Premium and Premium Plus. More information on the documentary can be found HERE, and on Facebook.com/artandpep and Instagram @artandpep.
ALSO READ:
Sign up for our free elert here and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
IF YOU READ US, THEN PLEASE SUPPORT US!
If you rely on the Reel as a source for information, or count on us to help you promote your news, then please consider making a donation, no matter how small, to help us continue publishing.
