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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 21, 1997)
ju s t o u t ▼ m arch 2 1 , 1 9 0 7 ▼ 19 Now that queers are out and about in Hollywood, foreign and independent films, isn’t it time we had an awards show? by Raymond Murray he queer revolution in film continued unabated this past year with an unprecedented number o f films Hollywood, foreign and independent productions—that have featured gay, lesbian, bisexual or cross-dressing characters. Although their num bers were great (in comparison to years past), the film s’ depictions o f queer characters were, if anything, uneven. Few o f the mainstream films had gay men or lesbians in the lead, preferring simply to add them in “colorful ” supporting roles. In addition to the big-budget films, there has been an explosion of independently-funded films that delve much deeper—and infinitely better—into queer issues and concerns. Unfortunately one has to seek out these films, looking fo r them at film festivals; in short runs mainly at Cinema 21, the Northwest Film Center and the KOIN Center; or on home video. Yet because it is becom ing the trend to include gay men and lesbians, even fleetingly, in films, it is time to recognize, celebrate and, if need be, condemn those productions. So put on something festive and pull up a seat fo r the 1997 Queer Academy Awards. The nominees are; T B est Q ueer H ouyw ooo F ilm I t ’ s M y P arty (Randall Kleiser, director) Gay director Kleiser’s emotionally candid AIDS drama is both touching and forthright in depicting two gay men in a complex but loving relationship. B ound (Larry and Andy Waehowski, directors) A heart-pounding thriller about two women who try to cheat the Mafia out of $2 million, which depicts its lesbian heroines in the most pul- satingly erotic and attractive light possible. A land mark film. T he B irdcage (Mike Nichols, director) The Americanized version of the French farce La Cage aux Folles features two men in a loving, committed relationship, while the heteros are the ones with family values problems. A wickedly — funny comedy where you can laugh with queers, not at them. decides to throw a party before his doctor-assisted suicide in It's My Party. T welfth N ight (Trevor Nunn, director) Shakespeare’s comedy comes alive in this visu ally striking film which features lots of transsexu ality, cross-dressing and homoeroticism— enough to keep all queers interested. D avid B ow ie , who offers a wacky but delight ful impersonation of Andy Warhol in Basquiat, capturing the gawky beauty and trusting nature of the artist. B utterfly K iss (Michael Wintcrbottom, direc tor) While not universally liked, this shocking les- bian-as-killer drama offers an unflinching look at a woman and the bloody road she chooses to take in looking for her woman. B est G ay M ale C haracter m a H ouyw ooo F im E ric R oberts , as the gay man with AIDS who J ared H arris , who in I Shift Andy Warhol also plays Warhol. He looks more like the bewigged pop icon and also captures, albeit in a different fashion, the man who shyly led an artistic revolu tion. J ohn R itter , as a small-town homosexual with a heart of gold, although he is also a bit piti ful due to his inability to come out, in Sling Blade. Openly gay actor S cott T hompson , who plays (among other roles) a suburban family man ( O litili ned o il next page