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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2008)
NOVEMBER 21, 2008 lUStOUU/'V 53 run into him again. I can now sleep easy at night knowing that we inhabit rhe same city. Todd Haynes unexpectedly moves from New York to Portland, and while my reaction stops well w TO Portland transplant Todd Haynes displayed his affability while discussing Far from Heaven. short of truly creepy or grotesque stalker territory1, My latest recollection is, in an odd way, actually I do develop an unhealthy fixation rhat rums this rhe earliest. An invitation to write up »revival of Van period into a hazy blur of quasi-unhealthy I laynes- Sant’s then-r.ire fust film, 1985’s Mold Noche (the turned-local-hero fandom on my parr. Whenever film has since Ken released on DVD) affords me rhe he is present for aQ&A after, say, a screening opportunity to see it tor rhe first rime. As I watch it, of one of his films at Portland Art Museum. I'm I’m struck by a strange sense of nostalgia. I’m acutely there. I have to restrain myself from gasping and aware that this rough, sad, tender, lovely link* debut pointing when I spot him attending a Sonic Youth film, with its same-sex flirtation between a punk-poet concert at rhe Roseland; a friend accompanying convenience store clerk and a young Mexican immi me at Fred Meyer on Northwest 21st and Burnside grant in rhe seedy inner-Northwest area later gentn- will never let me forget how excited 1 got when we tied into rhe Pearl District, was being filmed not so far spotted I laynes there buying a garden hose. (Any away from rhe * niter- Southeast suburbs where I was Freudians out there can now have their field day still getting in trouble tor playing with dolls. with tluu one.) Stare .it 1 laynes ever so discreetly Tile film—based on Portland queer poet Walt Douglas Sirk or Fassbinder were, this is where to do an interview tor our little monthly, which he’s our of rhe corner of my eye when 1 spot him in rhe (’iirfis’ chapbook of rhe same name—has its thematic -1 became convinced rhat depicting seemingly never heard of. I le’s diffidently polite in .1 way that crowd at a Miranda July performance, or catching similarities with Ms ( ton Priuae Idaho, hit no irresoluble human pain is a profoundly effective suggests shyness rather than arrogance. Sensing that John Waters’ lecture tour? ('heck, and check. famous stais; an authentic, shabby, loving vision way tor a filmmaker to transfix, disquiet and he, like Garbo, just wants to be left alone, 1 give him thereby politicize the audience. my card and thank him tor his time. It all culminates in an hourlong in-person inter of Portland is rhe film’s real star. It is my remedial, view slot in rhe publicity suite of a downtown somehow exhilarating glimpse of another, much more We never hear from him, bur rhe encounter—my hotel during rhe promotion for 2OO2's Far from inteasting Portland that w.is always there waiting tor only one with Van Sant to date—renders me dizzy Heaven, u herein 1 discover that rhe most shocking me. It depicts a time and place—the same little city After a screening of Michael Moore’s new film. and starstruck, burning into my mind the probably thing to report about I laynes is his utter affability, with a big spirit in w hichjtw ( 'hu had recently begun The Big One, at Bagdad Theater, I spot Van Sant inaccurate but still indelible assumption rhat I k - is, in lie nonchalantly smokes a cigarette throughout publication—where a gay community cmild dare standing by himself in a dark comer, all quiet and his poker-faced, ultra-noncommittal cool, Portland’s and responds with complete engagement, erudi proudly show its face. The phy sical Portland of Mold mysterious. During this period I’m writing on film own private Andy Warhol. My only regret now is tion, cooperation and friendliness to my geeky Noihc has effectively disappeared, hit our town is still ansi queer culture tor a short-lived Portland arts that 1 tried to play it professional and resisted the questions. I le is no one's answer to Andy Warhol. known tor its tolerance, progressiveness and queer monthly, and 1 see this as a bit of a chance for a temptation to gush with awkwardness-inducing Instead, he’s so accessible and down to earth that scoop. I introduce myself to him and fell him I’d love gratitude for the life-changing (Campfire Scene. I can easily imagine saying a casual hello if I ever friendliness. Here’s to 25 more years of our little city’s big-spiritedness. © A Visit to the Scandinavian Northlands Written by accomplished screenwriter Ci.S. Whitcomb and Marc Acito. author of ** cne * * cnRiscnvis R€U€C$ * Theater for All Ages with Holiday Music, Dance, Comedy & Carols "Portland’s Best Family- Oriented Holiday Event!-’ —Willamette Week Hoic Ì Paid fot College. Attack. <>! the 1 heatte People. and 7//c (ìov[nl According to A birc. Central Lutheran Church Welcoming LGBT to Worship Sunday at 10:15am Social Hour 1st Sunday every month at The Bioadway Grill, 1 700 Nt Broadway @ 11:45 a.m. Central Lutheran Church www.centralportland.com ART I S I'S REPERTORY THEATRE 2f|t>8/o'i SI. \ SON -------------------- PR ESi \ I s 0)1 (he Al DER S LAGE --------------------- Tektronix Holidazed SI'l >.N SOR / sponsor 1 I) in ( iarol Walla« e /hMARC ACITO & C.S. WHITCOMB Directed lb JON K R ETZU November 18 - December 28 ^Standard »mat 503-24 1 - 1 278 ARTISTSREP.ORG Testing for P. C. & ASSOCIATES serving tto community since 1975 * Scandinavian Musicians & Dancers A ttorneys * Adult & Cltildrens Choruses L aw Serving Oregon & Washington *• Portland Brass Quintet ♦ A Trio of Tomtes 503 224 3100 MATINEES & EVES: Dec. 5,6.7,11,12, 13,14 TICKETS: 503-274-4654 Box Office: M-F 4-8:30pm or online at www.portlandrevels.org Free Scottish Rite Theater, SW 15th & Morrison, Portland Wheelchair accessible; on the MAX line Adults: $35/$26/$ 18 * Students/Srs: $24/$18/$12 Children: $12/$ 10/$ 7 at Thursdays 5 6:30 PM (drop in) Rapid IIIV Testing (same day results) Oral Testing (two week results) Hepatitis A/B vaccinations 3’01 E Fourth Plain • Vancouver WA • 360 391 8098 fot mío DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS ADOPTIONS • ESTATE PLANNING WILLS • TRUSTS • ADVANCE DIRECTIVES POWER OF ATTORNEY GUARDIANSHIPS AND CONSERVATORSHIPS www owe ns-law com »101 SW MAIN, SUITE 700 • Portland, Oregon 97204 • Partring Validated 32
