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
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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
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/hMARC ACITO & C.S. WHITCOMB
Directed lb JON K R ETZU
November 18 - December 28
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