April 17, 2008

The Revival House Classic Queer Cinema - No Skin Off My Ass

Last night I attended a screening at Artists Television Access's little storefront theater for a new series of films, The Revival House Classic Queer Cinema. The selections were "No Skin Off My Ass" by Bruce LaBruce and "Fireworks" by Kenneth Anger. I hadn't seen either and it was about damn time I did.

The thing about going to see "art films" is it makes me want to go out and shoot more videos myself. Fuck. Just what I need - more goddamn "creative" projects! As it is, I can't shut my brain off from new ideas to actually finish the projects I am already knee-deep into. I think that's why I enjoy even low-tech projects like these two. I have to give the film makers credit for actually completing their movie and getting it out to the public, something I can't seem to be able to do. At best, I can often get it done, but it's the publicity part that sucks the most.

I am a reluctant fan of Bruce LaBruce. He fascinates me because he's witty, campy, clever and oh-so hip. And he gets worshiped by other people who are also witty, campy, clever and hip, not to mention the disturbingly gorgeous boys that always seem to gravitate toward him. But I am a "reluctant" fan because he also comes off as a self-important snot. In reality, maybe he is, and maybe he isn't. I wouldn't know, I'm just a nerd on the sidelines.

And guess what? Both movies, though disguised as 'art", are in reality gay porn. Kenneth Anger shot "Fireworks" in 1947 at age 17. He had no reference as to what gay porn should look like because it really didn't even exist yet. Bruce LaBruce got away with showing blowjobs, rimming, kinky BDSM, and multiple cum shots in his 1990 movie and screened at film festivals. How? Because it's art.

I'm sure Bruce LaBruce didn't pay for any music rights to The Carpenters, but then again, ATA didn't pay LaBruce to screen the movie either. The bar owner sitting next to me wondered if the theater had a license to sell beer and wine, too.

That's what I love about "underground cinema". If we all followed the rules, it wouldn't happen.

Both movies were haunting and memorable. I could go on pontificating about them, but what can be said that hasn't been written already? Besides, I've got my own shit to plug. I am an artist, too, dammit!

Posted by lavenderlounge at 9:02 AM

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