Friday June 16, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 24 |
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Sunday, Mar 21, 2010
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SIFF 2006: LAST WEEKEND OF SIFF - Lots of good films yet to screen |
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| SIFF 2006: LAST WEEKEND OF SIFF - Lots of good films yet to screen | ||
| by Herb Krohn
- SGN A&E Writer
C.R.A.Z.Y. Rating: Excellent Canada - Subtitled (Québécois French) Friday June 16th - 9:00 p.m. - Egyptian Theatre Sunday June 18th - 1:15 p.m. - Egyptian Theatre A coming of age family drama told over a long time period, centers on Zac (Marc-André Grondin), who is the fourth of five sons and is born on Christmas day 1960. Early on Zac is perceived to have "special powers" as a result of his displays of non-masculine behavior, according to the neighborhood psychic entrusted by his mother, this includes the ability to heal others bleeding. As he ages it quickly becomes apparent to his family and schoolmates that he is "different", of course he struggles to fit in and be "normal" throughout his adolescence and early adulthood, More central to the plot is the focus on Zac's tenuous relationship with his father and his efforts to win his fathers love and approval. After a series of family brawls he flees, his travels eventually lead him to the Holy Land where he finally reaches a personal epiphany that finally pushes him onto the path toward self acceptance. This film realistically portrays the true life experiences so many of us undergo both internally and externally, as well as our common efforts to gain the approval of our parents and family, until we finally come face to face with ourselves when we run smack against the wall of our true nature. Yes, denial is a powerful thing. This is an excellent story which unfolds in unexpected ways, which will absorb you into the plot and the characters in a way that you will share their emotional experiences. Indeed this is a rare gem of a film of Gay interest, yet what really makes this flick work so well is that Zac's sexuality is actually secondary to the character himself as well as the plot, not to mention the excellent use of period popular music. It will especially appeal to those who grew up in the same time period as the character. Be sure and stay for the Credits if you haven't figured out what the acronym C.R.A.Z.Y. stands for by the end of the film, (hint: it's not the Patsy Cline tune featured throughout the film). Don't miss out on this one!! Winner - Best Canadian Feature Film - Toronto International Film Festival - 2005 Winner - Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor - Vancouver Film Critics Circle - 2006 Winner - Best Motion Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director - Genie Awards (Canadian Oscars) - 2006 Nominee - Screen International Award - European Film Awards - 2005 LAST WEEKEND SIFF FILMS OF LGBT INTEREST Quinceanera Friday June 16th - 6:30 pm - Egyptian Theatre Sunday June 17th - 4:30 pm - Egyptian Theatre USA - Spanish Language Film (English Subtitles) As she approaches her sweet 15th birthday, Magdelena is expelled from her religious home when they find out she's pregnant. Taken in by her great-granduncle and her tough (but Gay) CHOLO cousin Carlos, they form a makeshift family unit in the rapidly changing L.A. neighborhood of Echo Park. Time To Leave Rating: Outstanding Friday June 16th - 7:00 pm - Neptune Theatre Saturday June 17th - 1:30 pm - Neptune Theatre France (Subtitled) A cocky Parisian fashion photographer's carefree lifestyle is destroyed with the discovery of a swiftly progressing tumor. A chance encounter with a waitress, however, gives him a chance to leave a legacy. Setting aside his usual narrative gamesmanship, director François Ozon (SWIMMING POOL) delivers a sparse, deeply felt meditation on The End. Review forthcoming. Strangers With Candy Saturday June 17th - 7:00 pm - Neptune Theatre United States This is the hilarious and harrowing tale of Jerri Blank (Amy Sedaris), a 47-year-old ex-junkie whore who returns home after 32 years as a runaway. This former boozer, user and loser picks up right where she left off, as a high school freshman, in the big screen prequel to the cult favorite TV show. Broken Sky Saturday June 17th - 9:00 pm - Harvard Exit Theatre Sunday June 18th - 11:00 am - Harvard Exit Theatre Mexico (Subtitled) A chance encounter in a disco spins an established Gay couple into an erratic, dangerously decaying orbit. Exhibiting breathtaking command of the medium, director Julian Hernandez presents a near-wordless love triangle between three attractive young men. SGN REVIEWS OF LGBT 2006 SIFF FILMS Another Gay Movie Rating: Very Good USA A Gay comedy inspired by American Pie and in the shadow of such teen films as Porky's and Fast Times at Ridgemont High set in an alternative universe where being Gay or Lesbian is not an issue in High School. Four Gay teenagers who just graduated make a pact to all loose their virginity by the end of summer. Completely and unabashedly politically incorrect, this wildly crazy film gores nearly every sacred cow for comedic relief which is normally off limits in Gay cinema. We just don't talk about, let alone make jokes about the topics used as fodder for laughs in this film. While not for everyone especially those easily offended, this film is nonetheless a unique take on Gay culture. Tackling stereotypes, turning coming out to your parents on it's head, exploiting urban legends about supposed Gay sex acts, this flick even creates an unforgettable new wickedly gross association to the term barebacking. This film is scheduled for commercial theatrical release in late summer. Boy Culture Rating: Above Average USA This shot in Seattle film profiles a hustler who goes by the name "X", his quest for a deeper meaningful love affair and his relationship with a sophisticated older client. The story works and will hold your interest for most of the film; it just does not come together in a very plausible way in the end. The actors' performances are good, and the screenplay seems solid, it's the plot finale that has drawbacks in this story. What this film does have going for it is excellent cinematographic techniques, especially outstanding use of lighting, shadowing, and color to enhance the moods of the characters and the plot. It will especially appeal to Seattle audiences in combination with the heavy use of local landmarks; it really conveys the emotion of our dark wet wintry days on our Capitol Hill and Broadway area. It is really amazing to see how different Seattle can seem through the magic of the eye of a movie camera. George Michael: A Different Story Rating: Excellent - Documentary United Kingdom This great profile of pop singer George Michael covers his entire life from childhood, through the early days of Wham, though his arrest in a bathroom in a Hollywood California park, the death of his first love of AIDS to his current activities. Using archival footage of music videos, interviews, clippings, and lots of gold record recordings, it will make you want to go out afterwards and buy all of his albums. The film really conveys the human being behind the public persona, and unveils a lot about what makes him tick. It is an excellent interesting biography of one of the most talented pop artists of our time. Go West Rating: Excellent Bosnia and Herzegovina - Subtitled This is the story of a Gay couple, one of Moslem descent and the other Catholic, who are fleeing the genocide of the civil wars in the region in the 1990's. Since the Christians were killing off all Moslem males determined by checking them for circumcision, Milan saves his lover Kenan's life by dressing him in drag and passing him off as his girlfriend. Things get more complex when they arrive at Milan's fathers home, who arranges for their wedding. While not a happy tale, it nonetheless has some funny moments, excellent music as Kenan is a professional cellist, and is a very tender love story of two men caught up in a whirlwind of political strife which tests the depth of their commitment to each other. Let's hope this one gets a US theatrical release - it is a beautiful yet sour Gay love story. Small Town Gay Bar Rating: Very Good USA - Documentary This well made film examines the existence of Gay bars in two small communities in Mississippi. While it could have covered a larger geographic area, the Director decided to narrow it down to two so that a much deeper profile of the area, its inhabitants, and a history of Gay clubs there could be portrayed. It works very well in clearly conveying to the audience the role that these bars play in creating an identifiable LGBT community in what is probably the most extremely hostile areas in the US. A hard to make film since being out is very difficult in this area; it is a rare glimpse into the lives of community members in rural southern America. This film will be returning for a regular theatrical run later in the year and is also schedule to be aired on nation cable TV for Pride 2007. Two Drifters Rating: Good Portugal - Subtitled The story of a strange supermarket skater girl (price checking clerk on roller-skates), who falls in love with and begins to evolve into the persona of her deceased Gay neighbor after her relationship with her boyfriend ends. The surviving lover and the mother of the deceased eventually get sucked into the emotional grips of this emotionally twisted young woman, who wants to become and eventually seems to have actually been impregnated posthumously by the dead man. It is an unusual tale of attraction, love, and mental depravity that will keep the audiences full attention. Wild Tigers I Have Known Rating: Poor USA This story is about a 13 year old who is struggling with his sexual identity while also having a crush on an older cool schoolmate. While the premise is a good one, either the filmmaker couldn't decide if the story takes place in the 1970's, 1980', 1990's or the current decade or there is just no effort at continuity, as there are props involving technology as well as costumes which span the entire time period. Or perhaps they want you decide for yourself since the plot has been done so many times in so many other films. This one could really have been done better with more clarity. |
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