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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2011)
OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 16. 2011 y 3 LJ& PLGFF 2011 leads oft with We Were Here, a heavy yet heartwarming documentary about considerable shyness— with an authenticity >r. A n d y Z y s m a n likely inspired by the story’s similarities to Jeto Santana’s real life. San Francisco’s response to the H IV /A ID S Enrique struggles with his own sense o f epidemic as seen through the eyes o f five people what it means to be a man by trying to shape who lived, loved and fought through it. his child into his own image, using tactics that We Were Here debuted at the Sundance Film range from the benign to the traumatic. Festival in January and has been screening Meanwhile, the teen balances a home life as across the country to rave reviews ever since. Michael with a social life as Vanessa, navigat . The film captures the fear and loss o f the early ing difficult situations without a safety net. years o f the “gay plague” through archival Even though the film features some pretty footage and the memories o f those who were heavy moments (including rape), it ends on a there, still raw with emotion yet tempered by hesitantly hopeful note, leaving the viewer perspective after 30 years. with a sense that Vanessa will emerge a radi The four men and one woman featured in the film were involved in the fight against AID S in different capacities, but all witnessed ant and self-assured young woman. Directed by Rasheed Ernesto Green, USA, SS min., Thurs., Oct. 6, 7p.m. the death of the majority o f their friends, lov — E rin R ook ers and colleagues. Still, amid the tragedy, there is cause for celebration in the victories o f Kink Crusaders a once disjointed L G B T community that Kink Crusaders follows the 2008 Interna came together to battle the mystery disease no tional Mr. Leather pageant from start to finish, one else wanted to touch. featuring perspectives from organizers, judges, Above: Act Up demonstrators in a still from We Were Here Right: Chris New and Tom Cullen star in Weekend Weekend We Were Here helps carry forward the stories contestants, fans and passersby on both the The best gay film o f the year, Andrew o f a generation o f L G B T ancestors that nearly event and the diverse community it represents. Haigh’s Weekend lets viewers eavesdrop on the disappeared entirely, and serves as a reminder Rather than focus on the sexy aspects o f the budding relationship between Russell (Tom o f the hard-earned wisdom o f the communi leather scene, the film emphasizes the contest’s Cullen) and Glen (Chris New). Meeting at a ty’s elders. All in all, it’s well worth the tears. role in building bridges, fostering leadership, club one night, they spend the evening to fighting H IV /A ID S, advocating for the rights gether. And then the next day, and the next o f kinky people and creating community. night, and the next day. Co-director David Weissman, who along with Bill Weber also created The Cockettes, will be in attendance at the PLG FF opening. s u b m i t t e d ph o to We Were Here SUBMITTED PH Ot O sense o f self and sexuality— tempered with IM L founder Chuck Renslow says the pag Glen is an artist with a queer political bent. eant is inclusive, and he means it. The contest Russell is more subdued, an everyman who has been won by men o f color, trans men and just wants to be happy. Their conversations The actors are both fantastic in their roles. men with disabilities. It has also included range from sensitive— Glen explains how he Handsome without being too pretty, they straight men and a wide range o f interpretations was outed in school— to heated, as when Rus seem comfortable and natural together. New o f “leather” from old school to new school. sell argues a position about gay marriage. is charismatic, and Cullen nicely underplays The film provides an inside look at the Haigh films these men in a documentary-like his part; a scene at his goddaughter’s birthday Gun H ill Road explores a couple’s struggle competition, but goes deeper to explore issues fashion in Russell’s apartment, or chatting party belies his character’s desires to be with to come to terms with their child’s gender o f race and gender as well as the discrimina idly on public transit. Glen. Watching these men connect is simply identity within the framework o f the father’s tion (losing children, jobs, etc.) faced by kinky Yet the filmmaker’s intimate, fly-on-the- incarceration. Enrique (Esai Morales) returns folk. Engaging in sexual fetishes is, we are re wall approach, along with the actors’ strong home after three years behind bars to find he minded, still considered a mental illness in the performances, supplies the film’s emotional doesn’t know his cheating wife (Judy Reyes) United States and is effectively illegal in the power. Weekend invites viewers to bask in and closeted transsexual teen (played by trans- United Kingdom. the pleasure o f the two men sharing a bicycle Directed by David Weissman, USA, 90 min, Fri., Sept. 30, 7:30p.m., Weissman in attendance. — E rin R ook Gun Hill Road identified newcomer Harmony Santana) as well as he thought he did. W hile quietly supportive wife Angela and defiantly macho Enrique are rather two-di- « mensional characters, Michael/Vanessa’s com plexities shine in both the writing and acting. magical. Directed by Andrew Haigh, UK, 96 min., Sun., Oct. 2, 7 p. m. — G ary K ramf . r August Kink Crusaders isn’t all that artfully or ride, or sense the chemistry behind their fre sharply done, but what it lacks in production quent physical contact. As Glen and Russell A sexy little film about the perils and plea value it makes up for with candid interviews, go through the familiar rituals o f dating, audi sures o f reuniting with one’s ex, August has backstage footage and historical perspective. ences will become invested in the relationship, Troy (Murray Bartlett) returning to L.A. from perhaps to the same degree that the two men Spain. He reconnects with Jonathan (Daniel fall for each other. And the film’s poignant fi Dugan) at a café. However, while Troy is nale is sure to jerk tears from a few viewers. thinking o f a second chance, Jonathan has Directed by Mike Skiff, USA, 74 min., Sat., Oct. 1, 9:30 p. m. — E rin R ook Santana portrays the adolescent’s developing i------------------------------------------------------------------ WOMAN OWN ___________ ED AND __ O _ PE RATED! _ ______ _____- - - - - - .......... ............................ ‘ E squire M otors , inc Sin ce 1968 Dinner on Wednesdays & Thursdays Portland’s Eastside Dining & Spirits (P ) 503.230.7980 (a) 2913 SE Stark St. Unique Creations made by 77 Local Artists! 8036 SE 13th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97202 503.954.2656 loveartgallery.net COMPLETE FOREIGN CAR SERVICE & REPAIR EUR0PEAN & ASIAN 503 226-6269 1853 SW Jefferson EsquireMotors.com
