UPDATE: Before You Know It director PJ Raval will be with us via Skype for a Q & A on Monday, June 30 after the 7:15 p.m. show. This event is hosted by the LGBT Older Adults Coalition of the Michigan ACLU.

Three gay seniors navigate the adventures, challenges and surprises of life and love in their golden years. These are no ordinary senior citizens though. They are go-go booted bar-hoppers, love struck activists, troublemaking baton twirlers, late night Internet cruisers, seasoned renegades, and bold adventurers. They are also among the estimated 2.4 million lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans over the age of 55 in the United States, many of whom face heightened levels of discrimination, neglect and exclusion.

But Before is not a film about cold statistics and gloomy realities, it’s a film about generational trailblazers who have surmounted prejudice and defied expectation to form communities of strength, renewal and camaraderie—whether these communities be affable senior living facilities, lively activist enclaves or wacky queer bars brimming with glittered trinkets and colorful drag queens.

The documentary is certified FRESH on Rotten Tomatoes, with a rare 100% audience rating. It’s also a festival favorite, selected for the Independent Film Festival Boston, San Francisco International Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival, South by Southwest, OutFest Los Angeles, Inside Out Toronto, and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

“For years it seemed as if an entire generation of gay men didn’t exist: seniors. With the blight of the AIDS epidemic decimating the population, gay men over 50 were a small population, often invisible or marginalized from view by mainstream AND gay media. But, in fact, many men of retirement age do exist, and filmmaker PJ Raval has attempted to rectify that oversight with his latest documentary project, Before You Know It, while also facing his own mortality.” – Out.com

“Before You Know It doubles as something more universal: a means of cutting through isolation and societal expectation, and finding a stronger self on the other side.” – Village Voice

“Engrossing…Provides sufficient contrasts, surprises, epiphanies and warm moments to keep it rolling engagingly along.” – Variety

“A crucial addition to the LGBT doc canon.” – IndieWIRE

“…an exemplary example of a documentary that successfully puts human faces on wider issues.” – Slant Magazine

“…a heartbreaking, uplifting and life-affirming collage…This is a beautiful, humane movie.” – Movies.com

“Before You Know It is one of the most compelling, heartbreaking, funny, essential films of the year. This film is a must-see.” – Michael Stipe

Documentary – NR – 110 min – Tickets $8 – Get tickets online
Fri, June 27: 4:45, 7:15 p.m.
Sat, June 28: 4:45, 9:45 p.m.
Sun, June 29: 2:45, 7:45 p.m.
Mon, June 30: 7:15, 9:45 p.m.
Tues, July 1: 7:15, 9:45 p.m.
Wed, July 2: 7:15, 9:45 p.m.
Thurs, July 3: 7:15, 9:45 p.m.
Fri, July 4: CLOSED
Sat, July 5: CLOSED
Sun, July 6: CLOSED
Mon, July 7: 7:15, 9:45 p.m.
Tues, July 8: 7:15, 9:45 p.m.
Wed, July 9: 7:15, 9:45 p.m.
Thurs, July 10: 7:15, 9:45 p.m.