>>REVIEWS
FAIRY TALES INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL
May 24 to 31
Check listings
ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE
(U.S., 2007)
Directed By Jamie Babbit
Friday, May 25, 7 p.m., The Plaza
Like her 1999 coming out comedy But I’m A Cheerleader, Jamie Babbit’s narrative feature Itty Bitty Titty Committee takes a fun look at queer culture and has a complex subtext running through the light-hearted plot. Anna (Melonie Diaz), who’s just graduated high school and lost her first girlfriend, is looking for her place in the world. She finds it through a feminist anarchist group called Clits In Action (CIA), headed by a beguiling young lass named Sadie (Nicole Vicius). The group’s anarchist ideals are undermined by internal sexual politics, and Anna has to grow up a bit before she’s ready to truly fight for the cause. Thirty-somethings raised on Bikini Kill will find the movie’s riot grrl cut-n-paste zine esthetic sweetly nostalgic, while the younger Le Tigre set will be inspired by the characters’ sassy radicalism. Either way, it’s a spirited and sexy ride guaranteed to get those feminist juices flowing.
FAT GIRLS
(U.S., 2006)
Directed by Ash Christian
Saturday, May 26, 9 p.m., The Plaza
A coming-of-age tale about a gay teen in a wacky Texas town, Ash Christian’s self-penned debut, Fat Girls, is an amusing movie, although the laughs are a bit inconsistent. Some jokes hit, others miss and a handful barely register. The funny thing is, while 20-year-old Christian obviously leans on sarcastic Napoleon Dynamite-style humour as a crutch, this film didn’t really need an overdose of it. There’s a genuine warmth to this tale as Christian’s character discovers, through the usual assortment of high school struggles, that "we’re all fat girls." Watch for a cool cameo performance by Tarnation’s Jonathan Caoutte who plays a teacher by day and a Liza Minnelli impersonator by night. Not terribly unlike the movie itself, Caoutte’s Liza is a little rough around the edges, but it’s certainly interesting to watch.
HARSH BEAUTY
(India/U.S., 2005)
Directed By Alessandra Zeka
Tuesday, May 29, 7 p.m., The Plaza (as part of Trans World Tales)
In India, Hijras (or as they’re commonly referred to in Western culture, eunuchs) are feared and reviled by much of the general population. It’s estimated that Indian Hijras number well into the hundreds of thousands and this film focuses on three individuals (all of whom live as women) in an attempt to show the various ways in which members of the community live their lives. Zeka introduces us to Jyothi, who takes up the tradition of offering spiritual blessings; Usha, who makes her living as a prostitute; and Hira Bai, an activist who becomes elected to political office. The stories are utterly fascinating, and each subject is unflinchingly frank. Zeka lets them do all the talking without offering any background or context. For those unfamiliar with either the cultural history of the Hijra or the particulars of their plight in modern India, a Google search may be a good idea before seeing this film, in order to truly appreciate the participants’ voices.
ETERNAL SUMMER
(Taiwan, 2006)
Directed by Leste Chan
Tuesday, May 29, 9 p.m., The Plaza
Eternal Summer is that unexpected treasure that independent film festival patrons hope for. It is that cool little movie you tell your friends about but can never find again at the video store. Set in Taiwan, Eternal Summer follows two best friends from their first childhood meeting to their college years. On the surface it is a fairly standard boy-boy-girl love triangle, but it is so much more. It is an intimate tale of friendship somewhat along the lines of Y Tu Mama Tambien, but with a conservative Asian sensibility.
The film’s only major flaw is some awkward subtitling. The translations are at times a bit quirky. However, even this flaw adds an endearing quality to the film, which is easily the find of the festival.
SHOW BUSINESS
(U.S., 2007)
Directed by Dori Berinstein
Friday, May 31, 9 p.m., The Plaza
Dori Berinstein’s documentary follows four musicals from the 2003-04 Broadway theatre season – you’ve got the blockbuster (Wicked), the little show that could (Avenue Q), the labour of love (Caroline, Or Change) and the over-hyped celeb-endorsed flop (Taboo). Berinstein follows each show from conception through to the Tony Awards, with some shows faring much better than others (a quick glance at the New York Times will tell you that two of these shows are still running three years later and two of them are not). If you’re somewhat familiar with these shows but can’t remember for the life of you who actually won at the 2004 Tonys, Show Business is exciting and suspenseful. But, even if knowledge of real life events has spoiled the reveal, the film offers an interesting account of the glory and the disappointment of America’s most dramatic entertainment industry. Like they say, there’s no business like it.
THE GYMNAST
(U.S., 2006)
Directed by Ned Farr
Thursday, May 31, 7 p.m., The Plaza (Closing Gala)
Since the abrupt end of her gymnastics career, Jane Hawkins (Dreya Webber) sleepwalks through blank days as a massage therapist and disconnected evenings with her equally catatonic husband. She is trying, doggedly and joylessly, to get pregnant, since at 42, she’s identified a hole in her soul – a yearning for more. The monotony seems endless, until she stumbles on an opportunity to be part of a Cirque du Soleil-style trapeze act with a young dancer named Serena (movie co-producer Addie Yungmee) – who also happens to be a closeted lesbian.
The Gymnast is a visually enticing if slightly lightweight romance/coming-out tale. Many interesting sub-themes (interracial adoption, coming out, bisexuality) are hinted at but left frustratingly unexplored, as director Ned Farr seems more comfortable with the poetry of athletic accomplishment, and focuses his attention on lush, sensual scenes of gymnastic prowess.
Nevertheless, this is a well-made, feel-good lesbo romance, there’s plenty of athletic eye-candy, and the quirky, lovely ending (hint: stay through the initial end credits) is worth the few moments of dissatisfaction along the way.
Visit the official Fairy Tales website at fairytalesfilmfest.com for a complete schedule with descriptions of all 40 films, information on individual screenings and locations. |
Copyright ©2007 FFWD. All rights reserved.