Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 2006)
FEBRUARY 3. 2006 lUStOUt film The Trees in the Forest Oregon films premiere at Sundance Film Festival by John Esther most queer-friendly non W gay film festival in the country, the Sundance Filin Festival—held from Jan. 19 to 29 in Park City, Utah—once again includej several queer films from Want to make it safer to play? Test for STDs every 3 months. around the world. 503.988.3700 Portland • 360.397.8089 Vancouver • All confidential, all the time Among the queer entries were two Beaver State films, Clear Cut; The Story of Philomath, Oregon and Old Joy. Directed by Peter Richardson, Clear Cut examines a microcosm of the United Two lifelong friends reunite for a weekend camping trip in the homoerotic Old Joy. States’ red vs. blue battle over the values of a community. A slow-moving film with its own rewards, Old Located 90 miles south of Portland, Philomath Joy is the story of two lifelong friends, Kurt (Will High School was a place where college-bound stu Oldham) and Mark (Daniel London), who reunite dents did not have to worry' about tuition if they for a weekend camping trip in the Cascade attended Oregon State University. Thanks to the Mountain Range east of Portland. generosity of local lumber baron Rex Clemens, every For Mark, the trip might be his last chance to graduate was guaranteed tuition. While only a be alone before his child is born. For Kurt, it is a minority took advantage of this offer—and even a chance to bond with another human—beyond the smaller minority used it all four years—it was some homeless guy who asks for change. As the hours thing that made the citizens proud of their town. progress, the two move through a range of But as more and more people learned of the restrained emotions. timber industry’s ecological destruction and decep When the two arrive at their final destination, tion, it was no longer held in such high esteem— a hot spring in an old-growth forest, the reality of though the tuition guarantee was. how much they have come apart through the years This awareness was blamed on Philomath’s grips them as much as nature’s gentle caresses, a la rhe by hot water swirling under the quiet air, releases them. Superintendent Terry Kneisler, an “urban immi In one crucial scene, Kurt gives Mark a mas grant” from Chicago. Leading the accusations sage. Mark tenses up at first but then slowly allows “political correctness run amok,’’ fueled Foundation his wedding-ringed hand to calmly drop in the spokesperson Steven Lowther, a grammatically water before the film cuts to sexual imagery and the against Kneisler challenged, was Clemens history-ignorant neo-fascist who peacefulness of nature. believes in corporal punishment and strict dress Whether the two are gay or once were lovers “is codes and equates the school’s Gay Straight up to the viewer’s imagination,” says London. “The Alliance with Nazis. film’s subtlety allows you to choose.” When the GSA organized a “Day of Silence” for Neither film got picked up at Sundance. Old Joy gay kids who were still in the closet, approximately is screening at the Rotterdam Film Festival in rhe 25 students participated, according to club adviser Netherlands, while Clear Cut plays 3 p.m. Feb. 11 Patti Micheo. Then the Clemens Foundation got a and 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at Guild Theatre as part of the hold of the flier about the demonstration and, with Portland International Film Festival. additional comments, sent a copy to “everybody in In addition to these local entries, Portland Philomath,” said one of the gay students whose writer/director Gus Van Sant (Drugstore Cowboy, name was given out in the mass mailing. Elephant) was at Sundance to talk about his films. © “It cost us a pretty penny to do it,” smirked Lowther, threatening to pull the tuition guarantee from the students. JOHN Including interviews from Philomath’s citizens, E sther is a Los Angeles free-lance film critic whose work has appeared in Cineaste, Curve, mayor, school board members, educators and histo Lesbian News and The Harvard Gay & Lesbian rian as well as Clemens’ supporters and detractors, Review. Clear Cut clearly illustrates how those in power will use “the war on cultural values” to ensure their further reign. Blurring the lines between camaraderie, male bonding and homoeroticism, Kelly Reichardt’s Old Joy addresses notions of mas culinity, fatherhood and domestic ity under the weight of latter-day capitalism. It was co-produced by Portland’s Todd Haynes, whose film Poison caused WOMEN’S books and resources waves at Sundance back in 1990. A Gay Straight Alliance divides the small town of Philomath in the documentary Clear Cut. pec cascade N Ki!l>n«swo«th St I ottw .worm. NE Alberta St. N£ Fremoct St. s> «••• r i ■ ■ ■ M IS MOVING! Come visit us at our new location at 8 NE Killingsworth at Williams beginning February ist! Open 7 Days a Week 503-232-6003 www.inotherwords.org WE OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE, DIVERSE COLLECTION OF WOMEN’S WRITING * EARTH-FRIENDLY MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS * A N TI - O P P R E S SI O N CHILDREN’S & ADULT’S BOOKS * * LOCALLY MADE CRAFTS & JEWELRY * CARDS, STICKERS, BUTTONS, GIFTS. MUSIC, MAGAZINES * * TOOLS FOR THE REVOLUTION * 35