More film gems ahead at 33rd annual festival
The Bubble
Rating: Good
Israel - Subtitled
Egyptian – Thursday June 14th, 6:30 pm
Egyptian – Saturday June 16th, 12:45 pm
This interesting film is a fictional story of a young Gay Israeli army reserve solider who while on his annual 30 day active duty is assigned to work a checkpoint near Nabrus is noticed by a Palestinian who is crossing the border. He returns to his civilian life as a record store clerk in the hip Sheinkin Street area of Tel Aviv, and the apartment he shares with two other close friends. The term Bubble comes from the term used by Israelis to refer to neighborhoods or communities that on the surface seem far away from the violent conflict. Soon the undocumented Palestinian shows up at his door with the ID card belonging to the reservist which he has inadvertently lost at the checkpoint.
A relationship blossoms between the two, the roommate hires the Arab to work as a waiter in the restaurant he manages, and all of the characters are working on a planned “rave against the occupation” event. Of course the situation is complicated by the upcoming marriage of the Palestinians sister to radical appropriately named Jihad. Conflicts arise between the sister, fiancé, and brother, as well as border crossing issues. The drama intensifies by the tit for tat violence between the Israeli and Palestinian factions and escalates to tragic and dramatic climax that is actually handled very tastefully by the filmmakers. It’s a plot line that is a standard in many films yet it’s a worthwhile film to view even if you only want to see how the issue of Gay relationships is addressed in Israeli films as well as catching a glimpse of the portrayal of Gay life in the only democratic country in the Middle East.
DarkBlueAlmostBlack
Rating: Average
Spain - Subtitled
Lincoln Square Theatre - Saturday June 2nd, 1:30 pm
Egyptian - Tuesday June 5th, 9:30 pm
Many good have been made in Spain in the last few years, and it seems that homosexuality has become more acceptable than most Americans would think. While this shouldn’t be considered to be a “Gay” film, it does have a Gay subplot. The story is of two twenty something young men who are friends, the primary character Jorge portrayed by the handsome Quim Gutiérrez is a building doorman/janitor with a degree who cares for his brain damaged father which occurred as a stroke in the first scene. His brother Andrés is a prison inmate enrolled in a co-ed inmate drama class, where he meets and falls for a beautiful convict who begs to become pregnant. When Andrés discovers he is impotent he tries to convince his brother Jorge to impregnate his inmate girlfriend during an arranged conjugal visit.
The Gay aspect centers around Jorge’s best friend Israel, they spend lots of time on the roof of the building looking into windows of other apartment towers. Israel discovers a masseur who he begins spying on when he discovers his father is a client. This creates a whole subplot as Israel anonymously begins blackmailing his own father. The story is a bit complex yet pieced together well, with the running theme of Jorge and Israel never being able to accomplish their goals, as well as having a hard time finding their place in the world both occupationally and emotionally. While there is nothing exceptional here it’s a good first film made by Director Daniel Sánchez Arévalo.
Dasepo Naught Girls
Rating: Bomb
South Korea – Subtitled
A farce fantasy musical centering on the kids at No Use High School which includes a class of Syphilis infected students that started with the infection of a teacher; other characters include a virgin Cyclops with a beautiful sister named Two Eyes, a Transvestite named Big Razor Sis, the principal is also a demon. This ridiculous action packed film where the cast breaks out into huge musical dance scenes only works for the first 20 minutes, then the formula becomes very worn, boring and old. It just doesn’t come together to make anything worth seeing, in fact many audience members actually dozed off as the plot when nowhere. It’s a big colorful fantastic musical dance flop!
Eternal Summer
Rating: Average
Taiwan - Subtitled
Lincoln Square – Thursday June 7th, 4:30 pm
Two male elementary school students are coupled by the teacher so that the smart well behaved kid would serve as a role model to help the disruptive one, eventually in middle school a newly arrived girl gets into the mix. They all bond and become best and closest friends into college. The role model is quietly struggling with his sexual identity, the other is becoming romantically involved with the girl, so naturally lots of conflict and tension develops as the three try to figure out where they really stand with each other now especially considering their lifelong love for each other. This film is really a beautiful story about human friendship, love and bonding that transcends gender. It is only burdened by the slow pace which is so typical of films made in this region of the world. It’s worth seeing, and there is a steaming hot Gay sex scene between the two friends.
Life of Reilly
Rating: Excellent
USA
On May 25th, less than two weeks ago Charles Nelson Reilly died in Los Angeles, CA. Most remembered as the flamboyant queeny caricature with effeminate mannerisms, annoyingly nasal voice and outlandish outfits who appeared as a regular in the TV game show “Match Game”. Why would this personality be worthy of such interest?? This amazing monolog autobiographical documentary details the amazing complexity of this talented personality, who was much much more than the stereotypical queen of game shows. Directors Barry Poltermann and Frank L. Anderson have produced a mesmerizing film which draws the audience into the fascinating life and experiences that Charles Nelson Reilly had. It is amazing to learn how a seemingly one dimensional character of game show fame was in reality a very talented and respected Broadway performer. Reilly gave a lecture at a college several years ago to an unexpecting audience, and it went on for over five hours. His life story was so astounding that afterwards he began touring the country performing this bio piece over 400 times. He performed one final time just so the makers of this film could capture it on tape. The result is a magnificent profile of one of the most typecast personalities to ever appear on the TV screen. Don’t miss it when it is released in the fall!!
No Regret
Rating: Very Good
South Korea - Subtitled
A man falls in love with a hustler: while the theme of this piece of work has been repeatedly produced over and over and over, this little gem of a film takes it to a different level. Sumin, an orphan who goes to school, works in a factory by day and drives home drunk bar patrons at night meets Jaemin, who has called for a ride home. Jaemin unsuccessfully tries to seduce his driver yet is rebuffed. The next day Sumin is laid off his factory job and then while leaving runs into Jaemin who he learns is the son of the factory owner. Sumin then enters the world of prostitution, working as a hustler in a male cathouse in Seoul. Of course their paths cross when the infatuated Jaemin comes across Sumin when patronizing the brothel. There is an aggressive pursuit by the rich son, who is also engaged to be married soon, and eventually capitulation by the hustler.
The big conflict erupts when Jaemin’s mother discovers the truth. What makes this flick stand out are the plot twists that take place after the discovery by the family. It takes the audience through a scenario of events that have no foreshadowing; it will have you on the edge of your seat in anticipation of the possible conclusion. It really is a great storyline when you can lead an audience down a path and then take them in a direction that they never expect. This South Korean film while slow in the middle really is a worthwhile film to see, let’s hope it gets an American release so it can be shown again.
Out at the Wedding
Rating: Excellent
USA
Comedy films produced with LGBT audiences in mind are usually full of tired plots, old stale jokes, lots of bathroom humor, and sex gags which try to appeal to the lowest common denominator. One of the reasons that this refreshing new comedy feature directed by Lee Freidlander feature is must see film is the clever creativity that represents a significant jump forward to a higher level in the quality of situational comedy with Gay characters. What makes this production even more worthwhile is a plot that centers on the concept of sexual orientation and identity, yet it is not really a “Gay” film. It can play well in Middle America without offending heterosexuals or LGBT people. While there is one stereotypical Gay character (Jonathon) central to the plot (which is performed with amazing realism by heterosexual actor Charlie Schlatter), this hysterical comedy written by Paul Goldberg is a rare gem.
The story centers on Alex (Andrea Marcellus) a New York City woman originally from the Deep South, who has fallen in love with Dana (Mystro Clark), a bi-racial Jewish airline pilot whose mother is hysterically portrayed by noted John Water’s regular Mink Stole. Afraid of her family’s response to her interracial fiancé she tells Dana and his parents that her family is dead. When attending her sisters wedding an old drunk friend asks Jonathon why he and Alex are not yet married and is left with the idea that Alex is a Lesbian. Soon the entire wedding is abuzz with this gossip creating a major uproar and a huge false impression by everyone especially newlywed sister Jeannie.
As a result Alex’s lies have compounded to the point that she will have to pretend to be a Lesbian to maintain her relationship with Jeannie who is coming to visit. Alex needs someone to fill the role of her fictional lover Dana; soon Risa, an athletic Lesbian contractor (portrayed by the stunningly beautiful Cathy DeBuono in her first feature film appearance) with a mesmerizing face and deep piercing eyes is hired by Alex to play the role. Unfortunately for Alex, when Jeannie meets Risa things don’t turn out quite the way she planned, the result is a comedy of errors and nonstop laughter of the highest magnitude. DeBuono really shines with her fantastic and impressive screen performance as the love starved Jewish Lesbian.
This situational comedy of lies by a wacky woman is a marvelous and clever romp that is certainly shouldn’t be missed. Expected to be released in the fall – watch for it. It is one of the funniest films of SIFF 2007.
Outing Riley
Rating: Good
USA
The father of 4 brothers (a priest, a bore, a pothead, and a closeted Gay architect) and 1 sister (who meddles and can never keep a secret) has recently died, the brothers gather at the family summer home where the Gay son has promised both his sister and his attorney lover that he will come out to his other siblings. Of course he fails, so sister decides to out him soon after by presenting a slide show to the other siblings of her Gay brother making out with his lover. This outing falls flat on its face as the 3 brothers respond with anger, shock, and resentment of having been deceived. Eventually they all come around in their own ways, the priest being the most difficult nut to crack. This family drama and romantic comedy benefits from high production values, a good cast, and a genuinely funny screenplay. It uses so many of the usual Gay clichés, straight puns, bathroom humor, and sexual innuendo to make it work. It’s a light clever typical American made Gay comedy, worth seeing but nothing special.
One to Another
Rating: Very Good
France
Pacific Place – Sunday June 10th, 11:00 am
This French entry in SIFF is not for everyone, the plot based on a true story is told in a non-linear timeline which added to the subtitles may be a bit difficult for some audience members to contemplate. Nonetheless this is an erotic coming of age mystery which leads down a path with an unexpected conclusion. While not a “Gay” film per se, this well produced flick has lots of nudity and homoerotic scenes with the characters. The plot centers on the strong friendship and sexual bonds of six teenagers, five males and one of their sisters. It is a complex situation as there is an unusual bond between the Bisexual brother and his sister who is also sexually involved with two of the four guys. Because the scenes are not always in the correct time sequence it seems that the filmmakers intended to create a sense of confusion in the audience as a way to convey the same experience by the primary character (the sister) who is trying to unravel the truth of the plot. It does succeed very well in this regard. Perhaps it’s worth seeing if only for the skin, the plot will leave you in suspense as to the motive. Some may find the pacing too slow, while others will definitely find a lot to consider and discuss after the conclusion.
Protagonist
Rating: Excellent
USA
Pacific Place – Friday June 1st, 7:00 pm
Lincoln Square – Sunday June 3rd, 1:00 pm
A documentary profile of four males each recounting and detailing the big conflicts in their personal lives, how they reached their own realization of their own truths and how they overcame the obstacles they faced. Director Jessica Yu has produced their interviews in a stylized manner utilizing ancient Greek philosophy to segment the individual’s stories. Featuring an Ex-ex-Gay evangelist, a martial arts expert, a California criminal thug and convicted bank robber, and a violent Munich Germany Olympic terrorist; the movie’s audience is able to develop an clear understanding of where these individuals had come from, and even more amazingly how they each overcame their deep personal obstacles or demons to change their perspective and approach on life for the better. This is a fascinating philosophical film along the lines of the film “What the bleep do we know?” only without the involvement and funding to the notorious Tacoma Ramtha channeler J.Z. Knight. This is one SIFF film not to miss!
Yossi & Jagger
Rating: Average
Israel (2002)
Egyptian – Saturday June 16th, 11:00 am
Played in 2 prior SIFF’s!!
Gay Israeli soldiers fall in love on duty and of course one must die to make the film palatable to straight audiences. Do we really need to see it again???
OTHER IDENTIFIED UPCOMING SIFF FILMS OF LGBT INTEREST
Black White + Gray
USA
Harvard Exit - Wednesday, June 13th, 7:15 pm
Egyptian – Thursday June 14th, 4:15 pm
Cthulhu
USA
Neptune Theatre - Thursday June 14th, 6:30 pm
Neptune Theatre - Sunday June 17th, 4:00 pm
Four Minutes
Germany
SIFF Cinema Theatre - Saturday June 9th, 9:30 pm
SIFF Cinema Theatre - Monday June 11th, 4:30 pm
La León
Argentina
Harvard Exit - Thursday June 14th, 5:00 pm
SIFF Cinema Theatre – Saturday June 16th, 9:30 pm
The Man of My Life
France
Egyptian – Sunday June 10th, 4:15 pm
Egyptian – Monday June 11th, 4:15 pm
PolterGay
France
Egyptian – Thursday June 7th, 7:15 pm
Egyptian – Saturday June 9th, 2:00 pm
Red Without Blue
USA
Harvard Exit – Tuesday June 5th, 7:00 pm
Harvard Exit – Thursday June 7th, 4:45 pm
Shelter Me
Italy
Egyptian – Friday June 8th, 7:00 pm
Neptune Theatre – Monday June 11th, 4:30 pm
Spider Lilies
Taiwan
Pacific Place – Thursday June 7th, 7:15 pm
Harvard Exit – Tuesday June 12th, 4:30 pm
Stealth
Switzerland
Pacific Place – Tuesday June 12th, 6:30 pm
Pacific Place – Wednesday June 13th, 4:14 pm
Surveillance
United Kingdom
Egyptian – Monday June 11th, 9:30 pm
Egyptian – Tuesday June 12th, 4:30 pm
ALL SIFF FILMS REVIEWED BY SGN CRITIC
(G) = denotes films of LGBT interest
12:08 East of Bucharest- Good
2 Days in Paris - Excellent
A Friend of Mine - Good
Aachi & Ssipak - Good
After This Our Exile - Very Good
American Shopper - Good
Art of Crying, The - Excellent
Bajo Juarez - Above Average
Battle of Wits - Very Good
Before We Fall - Poor
Bet Collector,The - Bomb
Big Rig - Very Good
Black Irish - Average
Black Sheep - Good
Born and Bred - Good
Champagne Spy, The - Very Good
Children of War - Below Average
Cloud, The - Average
Congorama - Good
Crazy Love - Outstanding
Crossing the Line - Very Good
Dans Paris - Average
DarkBlueAlmostBlack - Average (G)
Dasepo Naughty Girls - Bomb - (G)
Death at a Funeral - Very Good (G)
Doghead - Very Good
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap - Excellent
Eagle vs Shark - Poor
Elephant and the Sea, The - Bomb
Emma's Bliss - Outstanding
Eternal Summer - Average (G)
Exiled - Very Good
Falkenberg Farwell - Above Average
Falling - Average
Ferryman, The - Below Average
Fever of '57 - Excellent
Fish Dreams - Poor
For the Bible Tells Me So - Excellent (G)
Freeholders - Outstanding (G)
Frozen City - Good
Glue - Bomb (G)
Golden Door - Excellent
Grave Decisions - Good
Grimm Love - Bomb (G)
Guardians Son - Average
Hounds - Below Average
I Don't Want to Sleep Alone - Below Average
In the Shadow of the Moon - Outstanding
Island, The - Above Average
It's Winter - Above Average
Journey Home: A Story from the Hungarian Revolution 1956 -Very Good
King of Kong - Excellent
La Vida Homo - Average (G)
La Vie En Rose - Outstanding
La vie promise - Excellent
Lake of Fire - Above Average
Life and Times of Yva Las Vegass - Average (G)
Life in Loops - Bomb
Life of Reilly - Excellent (G)
Little Book of Revenge - Very Good
Manufactured Landscapes - Good
Moliere - Excellent
Murch - Very Good
Mushishi - Above Average
My Best Friend - Outstanding
Nanking - Very Good
Never on a Sunday - Excellent
Nina's Journey - Excellent
No Regret - Very Good (G)
Offscreen - Fair
One to Another - Very Good (G)
Orange Revolution - Good
Out At the Wedding - Excellent (G)
Out of Time - Good
Outing Riley - Good (G)
Outsourced - Excellent
Paprika - Good
Pleasant Moments - Good
Price of Sugar, The - Average
Protagonist - Excellent (G)
Red Road - Excellent
Rescue Dawn - Very Good
Rocket Science - Very Good
Running on Empty - Above Average
Sakuran - Above Average
Sanctuary: Lisa Gerrard - Below Average
Severance - Above Average
Singer, The - Good
Soldiers of Conscience - Good
Son of Rambo - Good
Sweet Mud - Above Average
Takva - Very Good
Tell No One - Excellent
The Bubble - Good (G)
Them - Very Good
This Is England - Below Average
Waiter - Excellent
Waiting for Happiness - Poor
Walk into the Sea, A - Average (G)
Yacoubian, The - Excellent (G)
Yella - Below Average
