Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street

What is the gayest film ever? Rocky Horror Picture Show? Mommie Dearest? How about A Nightmare on Elm Street 2? Thirty-three years after its release, the horror sequel is still regarded as a gay camp classic, full of homophobic and homoerotic images. For one young actor, it was a true nightmare, effectively ending his film career. Scream, Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street is a high-energy and thoughtful documentary that picks multiple fights and wins them all. It is the story of Mark Patton, the young gay star of the film. It is the tale of a homophobic and AIDS-phobic 1980s Hollywood. Finally, it is a look at the script of David Chaskin, who claimed there was no gay intent but blamed the film’s gayness on Mark. Nightmare 2 labeled Mark as the new Scream Queen and forced him into Garbo-like exile. Mark is back now and ready to talk, big time. Full of wonderful film clips and celebrities, this is a defiant and triumphant story that nonetheless cautions today’s LGBTQ community that the nightmare isn’t over. (Cleveland International Film Festival)