2001 Program

Thursday March 15th to Sunday March 18th, 2001
University of Waterloo Davis Centre 1302

The first annual queer film and video festival at UW featuring gay and lesbian works that present images of gay and lesbian lives and issues; emphasizes issues of multicultural diversity, gender and HIV/AIDS; encourages local artists, critics and audiences to participate in the discussion of cultural identities and aesthetics and generally to present the public with an opportunity to see and discuss the thematic, aesthetic and political concerns raised by the work of lesbian and gay filmmakers.

The film festival is “pay-what-you-can” admission (except for the first night) with the proceeds going to the Aids Committee of Kitchener-Waterloo. This event is sponsored by WPIRG and cosponsored by GLOW (celebrating its 30th year) and MathSoc.

Thursday March 15:

7pm ­ Boys don’t Cry

Based on actual events. Brandon Teena is the popular new guy in a tiny Nebraska town. He hangs out with the guys, drinking, cussing, and bumper surfing, and he charms the young women, who’ve never met a more sensitive and considerate young man. Life is good for Brandon, now that he’s one of the guys and dating hometown beauty Lana. However, he’s forgotten to mention one important detail. It’s not that he’s wanted in another town for GTA and other assorted crimes, but that Brandon Teena is actually a woman named Teena Brandon. When Brandon’s best friends make this discovery, his life eventually is ripped apart by betrayal, humiliation, rape, and murder.

Sponsored by MathSoc. Admission $2.

Friday March 16:

7pm – The Celluloid Closet

A comprehensive documentary of the history of gays and lesbians in cinema, from negative to positive reflections of gay characters and the troubles of actors and actresses.

If you thought that gay characters have only recently got a voice, think again. As this captivating documentary reveals, they’ve been there all along – you just had to look a little harder.

From early test footage by Bell through Dietrich and Dunaway to the Boys In The Band and beyond, Celluloid Closet opens the doors on Hollywood with fascinating results.

9pm ­ Ma Vie En Rose

Ludovic is a young boy who can’t wait to grow up to be a woman. When his family discovers the little girl blossoming in him they are forced to contend with their own discomfort and the lack of understanding from their new neighbors. Their anger and impatience cave and Ludovic is sent to see a psychiatrist in the hopes of fixing whatever is wrong with him. A movie that addresses trans-gender and gender issues in general through the eyes of a child.

11pm ­ Party at the Bombshelter
for Boys’n'Boyz and Girls’n'Grrls Night

Saturday, March 17:

7pm ­ Chocalate Babies

(1997 USA 83 minutes color Frameline)

An underground band of HIV-positive, queer, urban,transvestite, activists of color is making headlines in New York. In an effort to expose political corruption surrounding the AIDS epidemic, these urban guerrillas stage a series of surprise attacks against conservative politicians whom they believe are collecting secret lists of HIV-positive individuals. The masterminds behind the action include “to-the-death!” diva Max Mo-Freak; his determined sister, Jamela; Larva, a sex-crazed crossdresser with attitude; Lady Marmalade, a junkie transvestite songstress; and Sam, an idealistic young Asian militant and Max Mo’s lover. Caught up in their extreme methods of activism and self-destructive drug and alcohol binges, the group becomes torn by infighting and begins to lose sight of their mission and loyalty to each other. Will they find the peace and justice they seek? Between fantasy, tragedy and comedy, Chocolate Babies is a roller-coaster ride that is sure to provoke laughter and dialogue.

Best Dramatic Feature: New York Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Best Feature: Chicago Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Honorable Mention Best Narrative: South By Southwest Festival

9pm ­ Show me Love

Åmål is a small insignificant town where nothing ever happens, where the latest trends are out of date when they get there. Young Elin has a bit of a bad reputation when it comes to guys, but the fact is that she has never done *it*. Another girl in her school, Agnes, is in love with her but is too shy to do anything about it. For different reasons, Elin ends up at Agnes’ birthday party as the only guest. They have a girl’s night out together but after that Elin desperately avoids Agnes, refusing to even consider her own homosexuality.

11pm ­Party at Club Renaissance

Sunday, March 18:

7pm ­ Wine & Cheese

Cash bar in Davis Centre room 1301.

8pm ­ Slutty Shorts

From thought-provokingly raunchy to just downright raunchy, these slutty shorts will be sure to entertain and titillate. Come watch them, and think deep thoughts on desire, marginality and representation, or just come for the smut.

GO Dyke Go!

(Maureen Bradley, Canada, 1998, IO min, Video Out)
A sometimes too-close-for-comfort satire of lesbian relationships a la Dr. Seuss.

Why I Stopped Going to Foreign Films

(Steve Reinke, Canada, 1997, 5 min, V tape)
Scenes from “classic” foreign films alternate with clips from gay porno tapes. “I’ve never done this”, the narrator says over a scene from Bunuel, “but I have done this.” A satire of the discourses which attribute remarkable transformative powers to sex. I’ve done this. It felt very good. Afterwards I fell asleep for a day and a half. When I woke up I was calm and refreshed but I couldn’t remember my name. Luckily though my wallet was right there on the bedside table.

Toilet Mouth

(Velveeta Krisp, Canada, I999, 4 min, Video Out)
Toilet Mouth transforms porcelain and chrome into an alter, offerjng an evocative meditation on the movement between attraction and repulsion at the seat of desire.

Andy

(Steve Reinke, Canada, I997, 8 min, Vtape)
Part solo porno video, part documentary profile, the video shows Andy masturbating throughout his beautifully decorated living room while in voice over he talks about his practise and philosophy of interior decorating.

Below the Belt

(Laune Colbert and Dominique Cardona, USA, 1999, I2 min, CFMDC)
Two 17 year-old girls fall in love and grapple with the enormity of their feelings. Totally absorbed in each other, one makes the astonishing discovery that her mother, who she always believed to be happily married to her father, is having an affair of her own.

9pm ­ Relax! Its Just Sex!

A mixed group of individuals – lesbian, gays, and heterosexuals who all frequent a local bar struggle to accept each others lifestyles. However when the two gays (Mitchell Anderson, Eddie Garcia) are attacked and fight back and ultimately rape one of their attackers, the group becomes strongly divided on their actions. Jennifer Tilly is the mother hen of the group who tries to hold everyone together. The lesbian lovers (Serena Scott Thomas, Cynda Williams) break up when one admits to having an affair with a man (Billy Wirth).