Diversity Rules Magazine

4 Diversity Rules Magazine October 2019 Diversity Rules Magazine wel- comes Michael Musto as its Octo- ber feature inter- view. Michael Musto is an American journalist who has maintained a prevalent presence in entertainment-related publica- tions, as well as on websites and television shows. Musto is a former columnist for The Village Voice, where he wrote the La Dolce Musto column of gossip, nightlife, reviews, interviews, and political ob- servations. He is the author of the books Downtown and Manhattan on the Rocks, as well as a compilation of selected columns published as La Dolce Musto. His sub- sequent collection, Fork on the Left, Knife in the Back, was published in 2011. Musto is starring in Eric Rivas' remake of his cult-classic film, "Japa- nese Borscht," which premieres in New York City at Anthology Film Archives (32 2nd Ave) on October 5 at 8 pm. Musto plays a gay Mafioso named Uncle. Accord- ing to Musto, "He's barbaric — he's a mob- ster — and his sexuality proves that some very rotten people can be gay." For more information about Eric Rivas and "Japanese Borscht," head to page 8. JRK: Before we get into the interview can you tell readers a bit about Michael Musto, where you are from and all that good introductory stuff? MM: I was born in NYC, raised in Brooklyn, went to Columbia, and have been a diehard New Yorker my whole life. I have always pursued both journal- ism and entertainment, so I've become a sort of col- umnist/personality who can review a play as well as appear in a movie or a duets show. For 29 years, I wrote the "La Dolce Musto" nightlife/show biz col- umn in the Village Voice and was given great free- dom to explore my voice and break bound- aries with it. Today, I write a weekly column for NewNowNext.com and am involved in many other exci ng proj- ects as well. JRK: Your most recent project is the role of a gay Mafioso named "Uncle" in the cult classic "Japa- nese Borscht." Can you tell us about the movie and the char- acter you play in it? How did you get cast in the role? Was it a role you ac vely sought out? MM: The movie is a remake of Ri- vas' previous film of the same name. Rivas had used me as a crazed doctor named Hedda Hopper in Vamp Bikers 3, the last film in a very edgy trilogy, and I re- ally camped it up. He called upon me to play Uncle, and I said yes, loving the idea of playing a gay mafioso who may not fit into stereotypical ideas of machismo, but who definitely gets the job done and who has a strict moral code, even if it's basically quite immoral. It was fun to inject some sensi v- ity and vulnerability into a guy who's essen ally a brute. JRK: The film premieres in New York City at An- thology Film Archives (32 2nd Ave) on October 5 at 8pm. What exci ng stuff is planned for the pre- miere? What will you wear? Who will you bring as your date? MM: I guess there will be a red carpet and may- be speeches and definitely photo ops. I will wear something blindingly sparkly, since it's a premiere, not a wake! And I will come alone because the friend I brought to the Vamp Bikers 3 premiere le in the middle, holding his stomach (which I actually thought was a good review). A Chat With Michael Express Yourselves! By Jim Koury, Editor/Publisher

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