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Fresno's gay and lesbian film fest marks 20 years

Published online on Monday, Sep. 14, 2009

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Gay and lesbian film festivals, like so many other cultural institutions in this country, are facing hard economic times. Several festivals, including Miami and Dallas, have closed down. Others are struggling with deficits.

All of which makes it more impressive that Fresno Reel Pride, which has grown into one of the largest and strongest festivals in the nation, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in reasonably good financial shape, says its director, Jon Carroll.

"We're one of the few gay-lesbian film festivals in the country I'm aware of that ended up in the black," he says.

That's not to say Reel Pride is rolling in the dough. Corporate sponsorships are down this year. And the number of films has been cut -- although that was more a programming decision to keep screenings at the festival's two venues from overlapping and to give patrons more downtime to enjoy local businesses in the Tower District, Carroll says.

Dennis Hensley, director of the short film "Reunion," which plays Saturday, says that the gay film festival circuit is still strong.

"I think it's been a victim of the lousy economy -- fewer sponsors, less money for filmmakers to make films, fans have less money to spend on tickets -- but that said, the fests are rallying and trying to be creative and give great experiences to the people who come out. In tough times, it's important to gather together and celebrate our community."

For Reel Pride, the budget-tightening started early.

"Last year, we were careful about where the economy was going," Carroll says. "This year, we're cautionary, but we're not alarmed."

It helps that this year's Reel Pride festival -- which includes five days of feature-length and short films, parties and appearances by directors and actors -- boasts one of its best lineups in years.

Wednesday night's opening film, "Outrage," is a torn-from-the-headlines documentary about closeted gay politicians that's already been raising a ruckus.

And Sunday's closing film, the powerful "Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement," takes aim squarely at one of the hot-button issues of the day -- gay marriage -- with a sentimental eloquence that is sure to turn the screening into a charged, emotional event.

"We do believe this film can have an impact if it's seen by the right people -- people who count in the Legislature and who are 'on the fence' about coming out and supporting gay marriage," says Ibby Carothers, co-director of the film.

Not all festival films have a political bent, of course.

There are the usual "niche" films -- everything from eye-candy romps and youth-oriented issue films to foreign offerings -- offering diversity for the diverse community.

Of course, among the most popular will be silly, happy comedies -- which are extra appealing in times of political and economic upheaval. "I hope audiences will laugh, cry and sing along," says Casper Andreas, director of "The Big Gay Musical," which plays Friday. "The film has a great message about loving yourself just the way you are."

Here are reviews of the centerpiece films playing the first two days of the festival. Check Friday's 7 section for weekend offerings.

"Outrage," 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Grade: B+. Director Kirby Dick is no Michael Moore in this sharp and pointed documentary -- he isn't as gleefully bombastic -- but Dick certainly doesn't shy from taking a stand. His target is conservative closeted gay politicians who behave one way in their personal lives and vote another.

With an advertising tag line of "Do ask, do tell," the film targets big-name politicians, most prominent among them is Florida's Charlie Crist, and focuses on a crusade by activist blogger Michael Rogers to "out" those engaged in hypocritical behavior.

At times Dick behaves more like Rogers' videographer than an independent filmmaker, and I'm not convinced that the film adequately rises above the innuendo it so freely disseminates.

But there is nuance here as well, especially when the director delves into the idea of politics as performance -- and the way that politicians can get so caught up in delivering their lines that they forget that some people in the audience really believe what they're watching.

The result is a crisp, powerfully produced, opinionated experience that will certainly play well in a festival setting. (DM)

"Patrik," 8 p.m. Thursday, Tower Theatre. Grade: A. Director Ella Lemhagen has found that perfect line between being engagingly sentimental but not overly sweet. That's why this look at the pain that can exist behind the perfectly groomed hedges in an ideal neighborhood will pull you in to its emotional story.

Göran (Gustaf Skarsgård) and Sven (Torkel Petersson) believe they've found the perfect place to start a family. All they need is for social services to deliver the infant they have been promised.

A clerical error results in the pair getting 15-year-old homophobic Patrik (Thomas Ljungman).

The perfect world begins to crumble. They don't have the family they want. The neighbors condemn their life together. Even their love begins to fall apart. At the same time, Patrik is a damaged soul in search of refuge.

It's the sterling performance by Skarsgård and the on-target direction of Lemhagen that make this film so touching and strong. (RB)