— Jim Norrena
Fight Back, Fight AIDS: 15 Yearsof ACT UPon Video
WednesdayJune25 6:30pm
Herbst$8.00Mem/$9.00Gen (FIGH25H)
If the traditional documentary-onewith carefully scripted voiceovers and thought-provoking insight-is yourcup of tea, FIGHT BACK, FIGHT AIDS: 15 YEARS OF ACT UP ON VIDEO might best be kept for a rainy day. That's b�cause it's an actual recapturing of queer history, offering neither narrator nor scandal. Yet ii is a documentary because it captures our memories of ourfriends and lovers who fought fer our political rights regarding what used to be ourdisease.
James Wentzy's in-your-face FIGHT BACK, FIGHT AIDS is a compilation of live footage documenting the first ACT UP meeting in 1987 on New York City's Wall Street and continues to 2002. Amateur video rec0<ding-at the demonstration level and from the private, behind-thescenes meetings and training-reveals the astonishing camaraderie that united a politically enraged communty, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or gender.
Recognizable faces arnong the hundreds of ACT UP activists, timelessly capture(! over the 15 years of footage, are likely to be moving Particularly noteworthy is seeing activist and author Vrto Russo issue a speech equ3ting AIDS to war then demanding to know ho,v the two landscapes differ
Whether or not your own political views are aligned with ACT UP's today, this infinitely relevant political group taught us to fight back against government complacency, to ;irotest the h gh costs of pharmaceutical drugs, and to simply ask others: Where is your rage?
FIGHT BACK FIGHT AIDS: 15 YEARS OF ACT UP ON VIDEO dir
Flying With One Wing (Tani Tatuwen Piyabanna)
WednesdayJune25 6:30pm
Castro$8.00Mem/$9.00Gen (FLYl25C)
Undoubtedly the most revolutionary South Asian film this year, FLYING WITH ONE WING is an engaging parable of a man creating a life amidst a culture that deems his existence criminal. Director Asoka Handagama captures the reality for women living in present day Sri Lanka-a devalued class, oppressed by both tradition and sexist attitudes. Herein lies an edgy, genderaltering stcry that manages to remain lighthearted and humorous despite the building tension that culminates with unexpected results
Manju is a boyish car mechanic who plays the macho role indicative of his profession with ease. He returns home after work to the friendly, family-oriented neighborhood where he lives with his young wife, Kusum Seemingly happily married, Manju maintains a deep secret by concealing fromhis wife his original female biology
Manju's secret is discovered when he's taken to a clinic following a car accident. The chauvinistic doctor who treats him becomes obsessed with Manju. He even begins harassing Manju, which sets in motion a chain of events that could threaten his identity. And to further complicate things, Manju's best friend confides his own romantic feelings for him, suggesting they share their love secretly as closeted gay men to escape ruining either of their lives.
A life of guarded secrecy is painfully assaulted, and Manju is forced to confront the sexism, homophobia, and confusion exhibited by those he had prev ously trusted
FLYING WITH ONE WING dirtw:J,,.a Handagama2002 SriLanka 81 min 35mmInTamilwith English swtilles
Fun In Boys' Shorts
SaturdayJune14 11:00am
Castro $5.00Mem/$6.00Gen (FUN814C)
SundayJune29 Noon
Castro$5.00Mem/$6.00Gen (FUNB2!X)
Catch the atest buzz at Fun In Boys'Shorts, a fav0<ite afternoon indulgence
SPIN is a dazzling plunge into teenage longing anc sexual awakening During a raucous house party, a game of spin-the-bottle sets off a chain reaction. SHORT, WHITE, PLEATED is a curious (and curiously sexy) little film about a man who falls in bve with a skirt and becomes a better squash player. His coach is so impressed they rendezvous after practice-in the shower.
Randy discovers a gaydar gun at a yard sale and things get zany in GAYDAR (keep your eyes peeled for Charles Nelson Reilly and Jim J. Bullock). L.T.R takes a hilarious swipe at gay dating rituals, mockumentary-style. A coquettish young thing and his stoner boyfriend let a filmmaker document their long-term relationship.. two weeks into it!
After a night of clubbing goes awry, Gary and Craig,who aren't quite boyfriend5 but 5urc act like it spend the evening in a1 emergency room tending their physical and emotional wounds i1 BUMPING HEADS. Starring Craig Chesterand Anderson Gabrych. And for dessert is the fier:ely witty and arousing SEXO, an adrenaline-charged commentary on pornography and its audiences.
-DeweySchott
SPIN dir Cath le Coutcu- 2002 UK 10 min 35mm SHORT, WHITE, PLEATED dir Georgila lod< 2001 UK 10 min 35mm GAYDAR dir Uny laFond 2002 USA 20 min video L. T. R. dir Phillip .I. Bartell 2002 USA 16 min video BUMPING HEADS dir Brian Sloan 2002 USA24 min video SEXO dirRO<tigo Bellott 2001 USA9 min video
TotalRunnngTime:89min
Co-Presentedby
Sponsoredby
Merci Docteur Rey
ThursdayJune 26 6:30pm
Castro $8.00 Mem/$9.00Gen (MERC26C)
Danne Wiest snuggles into her role as a bored and narcissistic opera diva i1 the Merchant Ivory film's MERCI DOCTE.UR REY, with aplomb and grace She is Elisabeth Beaumont, visiting Paris to perform the celebrated Turandot and see Thomas, her Parsian son. When asked in an interview about her son, Elisabeth responds demurely, "Yes I have a son but he doesn't sing the Turandot. I do." Add one Vanessa Redgrave (playing herself!) and all the makings for an elaborate, dramatic, and worldly cinematic experience-typical ofthis celebrated production team-appear within reach.
However, it's a bit of a stretch ifyou're looking for such haute couture-identified filmmaking, as writer and director Andrew Litvack cleverly departs from HOWARD'S END and obviously has no purpose for A ROOM WITH A VIEW. The film is an ecclectic and farcical romp-a hodgepodge of mistaken identities, restless male hustlers, a lesbian sidekick, Alice B. Toklas brownies, moral (not oral) narcissism, and a sympathetic film voic,e-over actress wh:J exhibits a vicarious gravitation to Vanessa Redgrave, the actress.
When Elisabeth reveals shocking news to Thomas (Stanislaus Merhar), he goes to see a therapist where he inadvertently meets an eccentric patient who is impersonating Docteur Rey to hide the therapist's sudden death (she died during her therapy session1). Thus marks the onset of a wacky friendship that ultimately leads to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Missed Connections
SundayJune 22 4:30pm
Castro$5.00 Mem/$6.00Gen (MJSS22C)
Romantic quests (and we've all pursued them) often throw us curve balls: Instead of love we find adversity and instead of gett ng conjugal we get crabs. Yet once i1 a while we get lucky.
IDOL tells the story of a mannequin that falls for its w ndow dresser, but unfortunately, competition exists. In THIS CAR UP, a humpy bike messenger crosses paths with an office drone and nether can forget the other. A man gets a special gift from his best friend on his 70th birthday in SEVENTY. Marc scours Paris to find a significant trick in MORE cr' PAUL. The darkly comical LADY OF THE LAKE is a fairy tale about sexual awakening that takes a remarkably sordid turn. An unbalanced man wrtesio his exlover to reminisce their oving but stormy affair in the heartfelt A LETTER TO SU SU. In an airport among departures, arrivals, and delays, two people make a connection in HOLDING PATTERNS. In a touching yet unnerving tale, ROCK BOTTOM features aneedywrter looking for love in a wasted hustler. They attempt discovering intimacy by navigating through sex, a little kissing, and perhaps a littletoo much crack smoke.
-DeweySchott
DOL dir Grant Nellessen 2001 USA 7 min vodeo THIS CAR UI' dir Enc Meuller 2002 USA 16 min video SEVENTY dir Q. Allen Brocka 2002 USA8 min video MORE OF PAUL (PLUS DE PAUL) dr Alessandro Avellis 2002 =ranee 8 min video LADY OF THE LAKE dir Michael Lucid 2002 USA8 min videoALETTER TD SU SU or Vincent Au 2002 USA 3 min video HOLDING PATTERNS di' PJ Raval 2002 USA 9 min video ROCK BOTTOM dlr Mary Feuer 2002 USA 22 mi:> video
To;al Runnirig Time, 81 min
— Jim Norrena
Sponsored by
The Mudge Boy
FridayJune 13 6:00pm
Castro $800 Mem/$9.00Gen (MUDG13C)
Mourning is a uniquely private ritual, especially for the young who have Iittle experience with death. Duncan Mudge is a rural-bound adolescent whose mother suddenly dies, leaving him and his fatherto runthefarm. Left with a distant and grieving father and no one else to talk to, Duncan finds solace with a pet chicken, only tc be labeled "the chicken boy" by the town's rowdy teenagers. Despite the circumstances, life is pretty simple for Duncan. He is content tending to the chickens and taking over the household duties.
No longer a boy but not yet a man, Duncan develops an unlikely friendship with Perry, the masculine ringleader among his tormentors. Perry guidesDuncan-mentoring him to live hi� life as a man, until the friendship intensifies irre· versibly. With the boundaries of friendshi� crossed, Duncan is forced to make a life-alterinf sacrifice and boldly steps into manhood.
Director Michael Burke has expanded hi� popular and acclaimed short film FISH BELL't WHITE (SFILGFF '99) into an evocative anc compassionate portrait of a burgeoning younf man and his challenging world. Emile Hirsd (THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS: bravely tackles the role of Duncan and Richarc Jenkins ("Six Feet Under") masterfully portrayi the familiar and complicated father figure role With its sens tive direction and finely nuancec performances, THE MUDGE BOY is a fascinating and unique portrait of adolescence.
THE MUDGE BOY drMichael Burke 2002 USA90 min 35mm Eligible for the Levi's• First Feature Award
Sponsoredby
— Jim Norrena
The Opposite Sex: Jamie's Story
SundayJune 22 2:15 pm
Herbst$5.00Mem/$6.00Gen (OPJA22H)
JAMIE'SSTORY depicts a male-to-female transition, balancing co-producer, directa-, and writer Josh Aronson's THE OPPOSITE SEX, a two-feature documentary portraying both sdes of the transgender journey, and set to air on SHOWTIME n 2004.
Jamie's private self-reflection coupled with added commentary of close friends and family comprise Aronson's method i1 showcasing the innate challenges when distinguishing herself as female despite a bological male upbringing. As a father, son, husband, and brother, relatives and childhood pals, unable to accept Jamie's evolutionary process, literally mourn the "death" of this much-loved person. Rather than concede her need for a more dignified life, Jamie discovers the extent to which her Iiberation from shame evokes unforeseen consequences.
Yet conversely portrayed is Jamie's wife, who genuinely supports, accepts, and encourages her husband's transformation, including her compassionate insight that "...no person would make this choice." Her unconditionally loving yet cemented-in-reality composure is a refreshing and promising attitude to witness firsthand. The balance in perspective illustrate more than one person's transition may be necessary i1 this family.
Neither JAMIE'S STORY nor RENE'S STORY (both comprise THE OPPOSITE SEX) may be our own story, but each is a real story about self-identification. Missing either film would be a disservice to anyone who has ever struggled to fit in.
The Opposite Sex: Rene's Story
SundayJune 22 12:30pm
Herbst $5.00Mem/$6.00Gen (OPR£22HJ
RENE'S STORY (part of the two-feature documentary THE OPPOSITE SEX) chronicles the brave and intensely personaI strugge Renefemale by biological definition yet male by personal identification-confronts while completing his female-to-male surgcal transition.
Rene's extraordinary journey is brought to the screen by co-producer, director, and writer Josh Aronson, who has secured SHOWTIME's commitment to air this thought-provokingdocumentary in 2004. For Festval attendees, it's an exciting preview ofthis incredibly importantwork that delves into the physical, emotional, and social consequences many-if not all-transgender persons confrontwhile living within bodies that don't matchtheir identities.
As his biological history as a woman is revealed, Rene must decide to what length (literally!) sex-reassignment surgery will afford him a natural fit between mind and body. Whether his twelve-year "marriage" can survive remains uncertain despite courageous determination. Additional interviews wth family members offer alternative and heartfelt perspectives. These perspectives are both controversial and utterly poignant.
Ultimately, RENE'S STORY is not as much about being male or female, per se, but rather a graphically honest and deeply penetrating, reallife story of a person forced to both defend and simulianeously surrender physical appearance for a chance at greater happiness.
THE OPPOSITESEX: RENE'S ST!WlY dir .IJsh Aronson 2003 USA
75 min V.deo
Co-PresenJedby Tranny Fest-Transgender and Transgenre Cinema
Pandemic: Facing AIDS
FridayJune 20 3:00 pm
Castro$5.00Mem/$6.00Gen (PAND20C)
Twenty-four million people worldwide have died fromAIDS-related diseases, and there is another death somewhere in the world approximately every ten seconds. Presented by HBO and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the new documentary PANDEMIC: FACING AIDS highlights the existing facts of this far-reaching crisis and explores the cultural dimensions of this global disease.
Director Rory Kennedy portrays the global state of the AIDS pandemic by showcasing five international stories that feature people from all four corners of the world who are fighting against, living with, and dying from AIDS. In Brazil, a 27-year-old gay man takesadvantage of the country's free AIDS drug therapy to rebuild his health and his life. In Russia, an infected young couple struggles to raise their son. In India, where it is estimated that 37 million people will be infected by 2005, a truck driver and his wife take every precaution to prevent transmitting HIV to their unborn child. In Thailand, a sex worker returns to her village to die with dignity. And in Uganda, a passionate woman runs an orphanage and dedicates her life to activism and outreach.
Each story illustrates how moral issues clash with public health needs, thereby fueling the crisis by stalling solutions. Narra:ed by Danny Glover, PANDEMIC: FACING AIDS combines the overwhelming facts of the crisis with individual stories that reflect the wide-ranging effects of the disease-as well as identifying some of themany frontline heroesand victimsof the fight.
PANDEMIC: FACING AIDS dir Rory Kennedy 2002 USA 104 min video
Co-Presentedby BCOA-Black Coa'ition on AIDS, Inc.
Sirens of the 23rd Century
MondayJune16 9:00pm
Castro$8.00Mern/$9.00Gen(SIRE16G)
SIRENS OF THE 23"° CENTURY recreates a world where exaggerated femininity is outlawed. No fashion; no make-up; no silicone breasts; and no self-obsessing beautfication. All behaviors such as plucking, tweezing, and concealing are banned-punishable by imprisonment in "fashon work camps" or death. The Facist and conservative Men's Plainness Advocacy has eliminated ancient beauty, asserting that beautiful women are disposable.
So what's a girl to do? Call in the Beauty Renegades-the self-proclaimed "victims of the 23rdcentury" who execute regular guerilla raids on their repre;sive government. After all, "A life without skin care is not a life worth living," professes Princess Helen, the narrator and principle heroine who escapes Troy (her appointed lover) only to meet lustful Dianna, the Amazonian leader of the feminist movement. Together they must contend with the genderbending antic; of Dianna's sidekick Gabriel, the Renegade de'ector Liluth (who has stolen the Hanger 51 se�files thatjeopardizethe Plainness Advocacy's regime), and even Dianna's own wealth of over-the-top insecurities that fuel this perverse, coming-Of-age fantasy lived out in a colorful and bizarre parallel universe.
Screening before SIRENS is THE GIRL WITH THE PEARL SUSPENDED, a surreal carnival ride of lcve, lust and dreams.
THE GIRL WITH THE PEARL SUSPENDED dir Natalija Vekic 2003 USA 18 mn l6mn SIRENS OF THE 23RD CENTURY' dirJenni'er M. Kroot2003 USA86 min video
·�ligib e lor the Levi's•First Feature Award
— Jim Norrena
Co-Presented byMadCatWomen's lnlernational Film Festival
Sponscxedby
Spoofed!
FridayJune27 6:00pm
Herbst$8.00Mem/$9.00Gen (SP0027H)
tt the gay Mafia really didcontrolHollywood, this is what the media and entertainment industry might churn out. This rollicking collection lampoons all genres-from infomercials to B movies; and from the nightly news to Saturday morning cartoons.
A young man stumbles upon a rather gay infomercial while watching late-night TV in TAR-· GET AUDIENCE. Whitewashed American media receives a campy critique in 6PM IN AMERICA. Or. Winston and the locaI boys give a step-bystep approach to masturbation in this parody of high school health films from the � in MASTURBATION: PUTTING THE FUN INTO SELFLOVING. Enjoy GAY PROPOGANDA's queer take ai famous scenes from movies (ON GOLDEN POND, THE BREAKFAST CLUB, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and more!). MY DINNER WITH OVITZ collides Coppola's GODFATHER headlong into the Vanity Fair interview with Michael "gay Mafia" Ovitz. When a wayward meteorcrashes into herbackyard, Janicebegins to question her existence in I WOKE UP!, a schlock sci-ti takeoff.
We close the program with two ojes to hunky guys in tights: THE AMBIGUOUSLY GAY DUO and SUPERFAG all working hard to rd the worldof "evildoers" and homophobia. -DeweySchott
TARGET AUDIENCE dir David Killredge 2002 USA 12 rm 35mm 6PM IN AMERICA dir Mark Kenneth Woods 2002 Canada 4 min vk:leo MASTURBATION, PUTTING THE FUN INTO SELF-LOVING dlr J. T. Tepnapa 2002 USA 8 min vlceo GAY PROPOGANOA dlr J. D. Disalvato:e 2002 USA20 min video MYDINNER WITH OVITZ dr Steve Young 2002 USA 15 min video I WOKE UP! dir Alex Himcn 2000 USA 6 rrin video THE AMBIGUOUSLY GAY DUO #10-THE THIRD LEG OFJUSTICE dir J. J. Scdelmaicr2002 USA 2min video SUPERFAG dir Kurt Koehler2002 USA25 min video
Totll Running Time: 92 min
Straight Out (Hrein og Bein)
SundayJune 15 4:15pm
Herbst$5.00Mem/$6.00Gen(STRA15H)
This beautifully crafted film (a recipient of c Horizons/Frameline Film & Video Completior Fund grant) takes us to Iceland where ninE courageous and articulatelesbianand gayyoutt provide amazing coming-ou1 testimonials. Witt commendable candor, the subjects recall thei1 first memories of feeling ex:luded, developinE self-hate, discovering sex, finding other queers, attempting suicide, experimenting with alcoho and drugs, dealing with their parents, and realizing their first crushes and loves. Without an) whitewashing, the youthful self-awareness anc wisdom is amazing.
Co-director Gunnarsdottir, well known Ir the Bay Area for her work, returned to her homeland to close a chapter on her own coming-cu· experience twenty years ago. "In my youth therE was no open dialog about homosexuality. No11 Icelandic queers are fully protected by the la11 and can marry and divorce. Yet the kids Wf. spoke to surprisingly describe all the emotions remember as a 16 year olj," Gunnarsdottir'i statement underscores that despite vast geo, graphic distanee queers everywhere seem le have similar experiences from which lamilia1 feelings resonate. (In addition, the hauntin{ Icelandic landscapes and music are sure le mesmerize')
BOYGIRL is a film that addresses the dail) experience of feeling different. Interviews witt people whofall in between thegender spectrurr provide revelations about what it's like to not fee 100 percent male or female.
-EricaMarcus
BOYGIRL dir Aurcra Reinhard 2002 Finland 12 rn:n video • Finnish with English subtitles STRAIGHT OUT dirs 1-tafniildul Gunnarsdoltlr & Thorvaldur Kristinssoo 2003 Iceland 56 mir video In Icelandic with English stbtiUes
Co-PresentedbySTOP AIDS 0rojec�Q Acti0<1
Tasty Bits
FridayJune27 8:15pm
Castro$8.00Mem./$9.00 Gen (TAST27C)
The succulent characters in this Russian comedy are smart, sexy, and skilled at repartee. Filmed in digital video, TASTY BITS is the first lesbian narrative from the former Soviet Union. The film focuses on the relationship between Julia, a hip radio station's creative director, and Tanya, a former stripper (Lesbian identity is refreshinglynotthe subject ofthefilm-asJulia, Tanya, and their friends are realistically portrayed and provide an infectious hunger for life ) The two women meet at a party and connect in an entirely palpable way. Julia, certain that the one-night stand is just that, is surprised when Tanya calls into Julia's radio program and, while on air, makes her willingness and availability known
Enter Michail, Tanya's ex-boyfriend and small-time gangster, who informs Julia that Moscow's government is trying to exert control over her radio station.She can either watch this happen or use her media sawy to prevent the hostile takeover. Julia is then propelled into a screwball scheme to save the station Veteran actressJulia Muranova, starring as Julia, exudes a magneti c energy:-her sultry voice is not only effective for radio broadcasting, but also in the vocals shelendsto "Whiskey," one ofthe film's signature songs. A literal former exotic dancer, Tanya Alyokhina was surprised to land a lead role. Her debut performance as Tanya, we hope, will result in future roles so we may see her again.
-Erica Marcus
TASTY BITS dir Sasha Vaenti 2002 Russia 105 min video h Russan v�th English subtitles
Elgiblefc,-theLe,oi's•Firs! Fealure Award Sponsoredby
THIS Obedience
SaturdayJune21 3:15pm
Herbst$5.00 Mem/$6{)(JGen (THIS21H)
Anita Hill is back...Rev. Anita C. Hill, that is-a lesbian ordained pastor at a Lutheran congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota. By asserting her committed relationship is as much a part of her soul as the church itself, Hill creates a national stir of ecclesiastical propaganda and takes a proverbial leap offaith that is THIS OBEDIENCE. Loving, brave, and resolutely committed to challenging the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) policy, Hill advocates changing the church rule that requires a homosexual pastor be chaste yet affords a heterosexual pastor the privilege of a spouse and family.
Replete with varying perspectives, including the omnipresent shenanigans of Rev. Fred Phelps andhis "ministry" (who meettheir match in Soul Force-a subgroup of activist Lutherans devoted to nonviolent protest training), the documentary visits the national Assembly and captures members as they passionately debate the controversial ELCA policy From staunch traditionaliststoyoung gay Lutherans who struggleto acceptthemselves totheformer ECLA Bishopwho makes a surprising about-face on his previous stand-seemingly everyone is affected by Rev. Hill's personal and publicjourneyto ensure faithful same-gender relationships receive equal privileges.
Cana "good" Muslim haveGodandalso be gay? What beliefs, if any, must beforfeited? ACT OF FAITH offers a timely reflection on how the Holy Karan influences today's gay Muslims
Totally Sexy Loser
ThursdayJune26 9:00pm
Castro $8.00 Mem/$9.{)(J Gen (TOTA26C)
SaturdayJune28 9:45pm
Herbst$8.00 Mem/$9.00 Gen (TOTA28H)
TOTALLY SEXY LOSER proves New York City is not the only city for neurotic heroes who are slightly obsessed with their relationships-Los Angeles runs a close second1 It's true the handsome hero happens to be slightly self-involved, and it's also true that everyone else is attractive and seemingly 29 years old.
Jeremy, having ended it with his previous 44 boyfriends, is tired of being "the bad guy." His boyfriend Chip is in love with him, andtherefore completely falls apart when Jeremy attemptstoend their relationship...in a hilarious yet awkward post-coital moment! Jeremy quickly rescinds his words, but thenfinds himselftorn between needing out and not wanting to hurt anyone. As Jeremy continues to think of ways to break it off, he gets some unsuccessful help from an array offolk: an ex-boyfriend, a smitten twenty-four-year-old barisla, and a frustrated coworker. Reflecting on the relationship's beginning,Jeremy ponders the limits of loveand asks himself theseeminglyever-presentquestion, Did that count as a date?
Writer and director Jason Schafer has created a film resembling that bickering couple on which you can't help eavesdropping...sometimes uncomfortable, unexpectedly funny, and ultimately entertaining.
TOTAUYSEXYLOSERdrJasonSchafer2003USA75min video Eligible fc,- the Levi's• First Feature Awa,d
— Jim Norrena
Spoflsoredby
