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| Elliot Loves. PHOTO SOURCE: FRAMELINE |
The Frameline Film Festival opens tonight, so here is another roundup of films unspooling at the fest:
As a young boy, lonely Pim dresses up in his mother’s tiara and lipstick. At 15, Pim (Jelle Floorizoone) is attracted to his handsome older neighbor, Gino (Mathias Vergels). A scene of them having a sleepover in a tent is highly erotic. North Sea Texas [June 15, 9:30 pm, Castro], set in a coastal town in Flanders, chronicles Pim’s heartache and jealousy as he comes of age. Pim is shattered when Gino finds a girlfriend. And when he develops a crush on Zoltan (Thomas Coumans), his mother’s border, other romantic complications ensue. This stylized film captures the awkward blush of first love and stirrings of same-sex desire, but the film’s lyrical approach keeps audiences at a distance except for the most emotional moments.
The shorts program, Fun in Boys Shorts [June 16, 11:00 am Castro; June 24, 2:00 pm, Castro], is a mixed bag. The best entry, the inspired Spanish import, Unanimated, features a cartoon character struggling with being different in a real-life world. Other highlights include the sweet prom story, Crush, and Scott Thompson’s comic turn in Four Pounds. Two entries, however, are more awkward than amusing: 33 Teeth about a young teen with a crush on his neighbor, and Shabbat Dinner, in which two teens hook up while their parents dine in the next room. And two other entries—Two Guys in a Backyard, and 7 Deadly Kisses— are slight and not particularly satisfying.
Executive produced by and featuring Lance Bass, a Laurel, MS native, the inspiring documentary Mississippi I Am [June 16, 6:30pm Castro] showcases many poignant stories by and about LGBTQ Mississippians. It opens with queer youth explaining the state’s “tight knit” and deeply religious communities, and how folks will turn their backs on anyone who is “different in any way.” Profiling half a dozen courageous LGBTQ individuals, Mississippi I Am features young lesbians like Jessi, who describes being physically ill because she was lying to her family about her sexuality. Yet Jessi is proud of her traditionalist grandmother—who disapproves of her granddaughter’s penchant for wearing men’s clothes—but remains close to her, even asking Jessi about her love life. Another moving story chronicles Pam, the Pastor for an LGBT church that met in secret to protect the identities of its congregants. Mississippi I Am also details the fight that resulted in a legal battle, which developed when Constance McMillen wanted to take her girlfriend to the prom. It is the testimony by the film’s unlikely, but empowered, activists that make Mississippi I Am so moving.
The indelible image of a gun, wrapped in a condom and enveloped by a vagina in the opening moments of Mommy Is Coming [June 16, 9:30 pm, Victoria], gives viewers a taste of what’s to come in Cheryl Dunye’s fabulous fairy tale recast as an over the top porn comedy. Claudia (Papi Coxxx), an old-fashioned butch, is unable to trust her insatiable girlfriend Dylan (Lil Harlow) enough to let her have sex with her. Dylan wants fireworks and trumpets from sex, and dumps Claudia, who resists losing control. When Claudia visits a Berlin sex club one night, she puts on a mustache and loosens her inhibitions. Becoming Claude, she tries some new things. Later, in guy-disguise, she ends up unknowingly flirting with Dylan’s mother, Helen (Maggie Tapert). Everything (and everyone) comes together one night at a hotel in the big climax. Dunye showcases plenty of wit with the twat, as Mommy Is Coming features some amusing comic bits among the raunchy hardcore scenes. The film also includes some clever direct address commentaries with cast members and various sex club extras that put the film’s messages—about love, trust, and sex—into perspective.
A real sleeper, Elliot Loves [June 18, 7:00 pm, Victoria; June 20, 9:30 pm, Elmwood] is poignant comedy-drama about the title character—a motor-mouthed Dominican growing up in New York City. The narrative toggles between Elliot as a kid struggling with his flaky mother and her deadbeat boyfriends, and Elliot as an adult emulating his mother by being attracted to the wrong guys. Deftly chronicling Elliot’s trials and tribulations as he searches for love and validation, this low-budget but heartfelt film directed by Terracino, is just like its title character—charming, rough around the edges and totally lovable.
My Best Day [June 19, 7:00 pm, Elmwood; June 20 9:30 pm, Castro] is a slight but sly comedy about a handful of characters in a small town.
The interlocking stories all feature folks with identity issues searching for something. For Karen (Rachel Style), it’s her father, who moved away—to possibly the next small town over from where she lives. For Ray (Robert Salerno), a scrawny kid, it’s escape from the bullies and a date with Kathy (Haley Murphy). And for gay Eugene (Harris Doran), it’s “meatless meat.” But these characters—along with Latino Neil (Raúl Castillo), Stacey (Jo Armenoix), a compulsive gambler, and Meagan (Ashlie Atkison), a lesbian torn between two girlfriends—all discover nice surprises as My Best Day unfolds. And audiences will be won over by this quirky little indie, if they get into the film’s offbeat rhythm. Writer/director Erin Greenwell displays an eye for both striking compositions and lovely details, such as a gag involving Meagan calling her girlfriend at work.
Never heard of 1970s glam rock star Jobriath? Check out Jobriath A.D. [June 19, 9:30 pm, Victoria], an absolutely mesmerizing documentary that unearths the amazing, strange-but-true story of super rock would-be superstar—who never became a star. A talented, unique singer and incredibly accomplished pianist, Jobriath performed in the musical Hair before he created his flamboyant stage persona that one observer called, “out queen-ed Queen.” But whereas the similarly androgynous David Bowie was mostly performing feminine, Jobriath dubbed himself a “true fairy,” and perhaps committed career suicide by outing himself. Yet Jobriath A.D. suggests the musician’s epic fail may have been orchestrated by Jerry Brandt, his promoter, exploiting him. Whatever the truth, this documentary takes twist and turns as it reveals Jobriath’s peculiar family life, and his post-rock star career developments. Featuring incredible performance footage, smart commentaries from queer musicians Stephin Merritt and Jake Shears, as well as contributions from other showbiz names—Ann Magnuson, Dennis Christopher, Joey Arias—this inventive film is a remarkable story of fame, failure, and reinvention.
Luminously shot (in black and white) but languidly paced, Joshua Tree 1951 [June 21, 4:15 pm, Castro] is an ambitious if ultimately unsuccessful film about the pre-fame years of James Dean (James Preston). Focusing mainly on the bisexual actor’s acting exercises and bedroom activities, the film is incredibly gorgeous, but also incredibly dull. From tedious acting classes at UCLA to Dean teaching a casual pickup the difference between active and passive sex, Joshua Tree 1951 is practically too cool for its own good. Writer/director Matthew Mishory does not provide any depth to Dean or make him engaging. Dean moves in with his roommate (Dan Glenn), visits Joshua Tree, and attends naked pool parties given by Roger (Edward Singletary), who helps his career. It’s all super stylized and completely superficial.
Gay filmmaker André Téchiné’s intriguing new drama, Unforgivable [June 22, 1:45 pm, Castro], has crime writer Francis (André Dussollier) asking bisexual real estate agent Judith (Carole Bouquet) to move in with him. Later, when Francis suspects Judith is cheating on him, he hires her ex-lover’s son Jérémie (Mauro Conte) to follow his wife. Does Francis’ spying on Judith prompt her to sleep with Jérémie? Are Francis’ actions a scheme to cure his writer’s block? And what are the ramifications of Judith’s affair? The film remains spellbinding as it slowly reveals the answers.
Worldly Affairs [June 22, 4:30 pm, Castro] is a mostly strong collection of international male shorts. Your Warmth, from Israel, is an achingly tender and powerful story of a young man’s yearning for affection. Equally excellent is Alle Werden, a German drama about a young man who falls for his best friend’s colleague—unaware of the trouble it may cause. Also from Germany is the outstanding It’s Consuming Me, a 4-minute video that captures everything about loving someone. It features a great payoff. More or Less, from Brazil boasts an obvious ending, but that doesn’t mar this otherwise engaging short too much. Less successful, however, are the Cuban entry Mila Caos, about drag performers, and a juvenile delinquent drama The Wilding, from Australia.
In A Map to Talk [June 22, 9:30 pm, Roxie], Roberta (Moro Andrea) comes out to her critical mother Ana (Mariana Prat), has sex with her girlfriend Javiera (Francisca Bernardi) and then takes them both out on a boat. Confined to the open sea, Ana may try to sabotage her daughter’s relationship, but Javiera—who is supposed to show Ana how “normal” her relationship with Roberta is—may jeopardize things instead. A Map to Talk boasts a trio of unself-conscious performances as it shows how families and lovers sometimes go along to get along.
Viewers who go on this journey of revelations and seasickness will find this Chilean import a passable time-filler.
© 2012 Gary M. Kramer
