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Point!
Sand, surf, summer sun and... psychothrillers?
The highlights of this year's TLGFF by
programming culprit-in-chief Takao Kawaguchi.
This year, the first thing I noticed writing program notes was the
number of films whose write-ups start off "19xx, [place of your
choice]." An entire film festival devoted to period dramas? Hardly,
but from sand-,surf-, summer sun- and psychothrill-filled opening
night premiere Psycho Beach Party, set in Malibu Beach in
1962, to closing night's Burnt Money, set in South America
in 1965, we're definitely in time travelmode. (Speaking of Plata
Quemada(Burnt Money), by the way, I've been wanting to show
something like the film's flaming finale, which reminds me of Almodovar's
La Ley Del Deseo(Law of Desire), for ages.)
Of this year's other Iberian films, El Mar(The
Sea), set in 1930s and 40s Spain, tells a hard story, but its
pure, beautiful images will cleanse your soul. Sugunda Piel (Second
Skin) stars 2001 Oscar nominee Javier Bartem(Before Night
Falls). And Cuban documentary Mauvaise Comduct(Dirty Conduct),
an account of concentration camps for gays in Cuba, slept in a Parisian
film vault for twenty years and is simply a must-see.
This year must have some kind of affinity for the early 60s-- my
top pick for features, Emporte-Moi (Set Me Free), takes place
in Montreal in 1963. The film's young star turns in a strong, graceful
and extremely moving performance. Presque Rien(Come Undone)
will have you wondering why French films always seem to combine
love and sadness, but don't let that stop you from enjoying this
beautifully-crafted, more than a little sexy gem of a film.
Back in the present-day, Chutney Popcorn is the story of
a Indian-American lesbian who decides to become the surrogate mother
for her sister, provoking surprise from friends, family and-- last
but not least-- her girlfriend. The film's thoroughly modern theme
doesn't mean it's entirely serious, though-- its warm comic touches
have made Chutney a hit at theaters and film festivals across North
America. And Saturday night's The Broken Hearts Club is a
West Hollywood take on classic gay life. Light and sexy, it should
make the perfect prelude to the official festival party later in
the evening night.
On a different note, those into the smell of chalk and chills down
the spine should check out Korean feature Memento Mori. Screams
ring out when a poltergeist breaks out with a vengeance in an all-girls
high school. Korean film fans also shouldn't miss Korean Random,
our collection of short works from young Korean filmmakers. (If
you don't do Thursday afternoons, we'll also be showing these shorts
in the third floor lobby at Spiral prior to the Friday screening
of Momento Mori.)
I've still to make it to Israel, but this year's Israel Special
Program has me ready to go. Taking on religion, the army and
machismo,our three works from top TV director Eytan Fox (two showing
in the gay shorts programs) give an affirming account of what it's
like to be young in Israel today.
Speaking of television, 2001 marks the first broadcast of a Japanese
lesbian television drama by a lesbian director, and TLGFF is honored
to premiere Sugar Sweet. Do come out and show your support!
Addicted To Love will give you a new idea of Japanese gay
porn (and may just send you running off to Ueno in search of more),
and Zipper and Tits, screened at the Image Forum Festival
this May, marks the appearance of a strong new talent.
Finally, with two programs of gay shorts,
one lesbian shorts program and the festival's first-ever program
devoted entirely to side-splitting cartoons, our shorts programs
are out in full force again this year. Personally, I think they're
all great, but for sheer excellence in film-making the girls' program
just can't be beat. That said, you won't miss with any of this year's
45 films and 18 programs. We're looking forward to seeing you at
Spiral, and do remember-- get your tickets, early!
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