Stephen Winter

Last updated
Stephen Winter
Stephen Winter 3.jpg
Winter presenting his film Chocolate Babies in 2023
Born
United States
OccupationFilm director
Notable work Chocolate Babies

Stephen Winter is an American film director known for such works as his debut film Chocolate Babies [1] [2] and Jason and Shirley . [3] [4] Winter has described himself in interviews as "The heartbeat of queer cinema in New York City." [5]

Contents

Career

Stephen Winter made his directorial debut in 1996 with Chocolate Babies , a film about a group of queer activists of color in New York City. Filmed in just three weeks, Winter used his own apartment as a set and relied on friends to act as crew members. [6] The film covers issues of AIDS activism and political resistance, [1] earning critical acclaim at film festivals but initially receiving limited distribution. [6] It later gained further recognition when it was added to the Criterion Channel in 2021. [7] [8] In 2003, Winter became head of the MIX NYC film festival, [9] which led to him becoming producer of Jonathan Caouette's 2004 film Tarnation. [10] [11] [12]

In 2008, Winter wrote a segment for the anthology film, New York, I Love You. [13] [14] In 2012–2013, Winter worked with director Lee Daniels as the head of research for The Butler , a historical drama about a White House butler who served multiple U.S. presidents. His work focused on gathering archival materials to ensure historical accuracy. [4]

Winter returned to directing in 2015 with Jason and Shirley , a reimagined portrayal of the making of Shirley Clarke's 1967 documentary Portrait of Jason . The film delved into issues of race, power, and representation in cinema. [3] [15] Due to lack of funding, Winter worked full time while making the film and producing it in his spare time. [16]

Winter co-created the Afrofuturist podcast Adventures In New America with Tristan Cowen, produced by Night Vale Presents, [17] which premiered in 2018. The podcast blended speculative fiction with social commentary, addressing themes of racism and inequality through a science fiction lens. [18] [19] In 2023, he directed the narrative science fiction podcast The Space Within. [20]

Winter has taught screenwriting as an adjunct professor in the film department of Brooklyn College. [21]

Critical reception

Jezebel wrote that Winter's films such as Chocolate Babies and Jason and Shirley are a blast. [22]

References

  1. 1 2 Rondinelli, Netta (May 17, 2023). "TIFF unveils June 2023 programming". Toronto International Film Festival . Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  2. ↑ Wiliams, Conor (October 27, 2021). "For the Love of Black Queer Cinema: A Conversation with Stephen Winter". The Criterion Collection.
  3. 1 2 Brody, Richard (August 27, 2021). "Jason and Shirley". The New Yorker . Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  4. 1 2 Macfarlane, Steve (June 17, 2015). ""The Only Film in the Canon Which had a Black, Gay Man as its Lead": Director Stephen Winter on Jason and Shirley". Filmmaker .
  5. ↑ Knegt, Peter (September 6, 2023). "Queer cinema is lucky to have a 'heartbeat' as loud as Stephen Winter". CBC Arts.
  6. 1 2 Macias, Ernesto (2021-08-31). "Stephen Winter and Lee Daniels Discuss Breaking In and Breaking Out". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  7. ↑ Hereford, André (2021-09-20). "Stephen Winter's audacious 'Chocolate Babies' and 'Jason and Shirley' join Criterion's classics". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  8. ↑ "The Criterion Channel's September 2021 Lineup". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  9. ↑ "History". www.mixnyc.org. Retrieved 2025-02-25.[ non-primary source needed ]
  10. ↑ Wilcha, Christopher (2004-10-01). "Interview: Jonathan Caouette". BOMB Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  11. ↑ Hernandez, Eugene (2004-05-16). ""Tarnation"". IndieWire. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  12. ↑ Foundas, Scott (2004-10-14). "What in Tarnation". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  13. ↑ Scott, A. O. (2009-10-16). "Manhattan Is for Lovers: Two by Two by Two by ..." The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  14. ↑ Weissberg, Jay (2009-09-30). "New York, I Love You". Variety. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  15. ↑ Roy, Rajendra (2015-10-19). "MoMA Presents: Stephen Winter's Jason and Shirley". The Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  16. ↑ Robinson, Esther B. (2016-07-25). "It's Not Always About the Money - Filmmaker Magazine". Filmmaker Magazine | Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  17. ↑ "Fiction podcasts are on the rise and better than ever. These are the ones to listen to". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  18. ↑ "'Adventures in New America' is a Masterful Blend of Societal Critique and Absurdity | Arts | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  19. ↑ Hess, Amanda (September 13, 2018). "The Best New Social Thriller Is a Podcast". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  20. ↑ Amin, Arezou (2023-06-15). "Jessica Chastain Takes on a Mysterious New Patient in 'The Space Within' Clip [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
  21. ↑ "Film Department Adjuncts". Brooklyn College. Retrieved 2025-02-25.[ non-primary source needed ]
  22. ↑ Juzwiak, Rich (September 3, 2021). "Director Stephen Winter Has Been Ahead of the Curve; The Curve Is Finally Catching Up". Jezebel .

Further reading

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