THE FILMS

A program of films dealing with alternative family structures is
highlighted by CHICKS IN WHITE SATIN (28 minutes), Elaine
I-lolliman’s brilliant short about an extravagant lesbian wedding,
nominated for an Oscar this past year. The award—winning
CHOOSING CHILDREN (45 minutes), by Debra Chasnoff and
Kim Klausner, focuses on six families who are raising their children
in several ways: lesbian and gay male co—parenting, group parenting,
single parenting, and as gay couples. IF SHE GROWS UP GAY (23
minutes), by Karen Goodman, is a funny, moody, and down-to—earth
interview with a young black mother, who talks about her pregnancy
and raising her daughter with her lesbian lover in New York City.

COMING OUT UNDER FIRE informs the current debate over
gays and lesbians in the military by viewing the issue from a
historical perspective. Based on Allan Berube’s award—winning book,
Arthur Dong and Allan Berube"s film focuses on the personal
testimonies of nine courageous gay and lesbian veterans who served
during World War II. Their warm and entertaining stories of the
subtle ways they found to communicate with each other and their
tales of first love are contrasted with the bitter memories of
humiliation and persecution. ALLAN BERUBE will appear to
discuss the film at the Saturday and Sundays shows.

DESPERATE REMEDIES is a 1993 film from New Zealand with
something for everyone, a campy bodice—ripper about a turn-of—the—
century lipstick lesbian and the handsome men who seek to defame
her. The closing night feature at this year’s San Francisco Lesbian and
Gay Festival, it was described in their catalog as “A tale of lesbian
triumph driven by a rampantly operatic score, eye-popping color, and
a generous, demented gay sensibility.” Directed by New Zealand’s
most prominent gay filmmakers, Stewart Main and Peter Wells.

FOR A LOST SOLDIER is an off—beat and deftly-executed
romantic film from Holland (based on Rudi Van Dantzig’s
autobiography) that takes place during the winter of 1944-45, when
fearful Amsterdam families sent their children to the care of rural
families. One such child is the 12-year-old Joeren, who is sent to live
with a fishing family. When Allied liberation forces filter into the
area, a young Canadian soldier, feeling as lonely and isloated as
Joeren, takes up temporary barracks in the village, and the two are
drawn to each other. “Beautifully acted and gorgeously filmed” (San
Francisco Chronicle)

LIVING PROOF: HIV and the Pursuit of Happiness is an eye-
opening documentary by Kermit Cole that will change the way HIV-
positive people are seen. The dignity and character of the men,
women and children portrayed here, from all walks of life, is
amazing; far from giving up, these strong souls have resolved to live
life to the fullest, to pursue their dreams, and to combat the image
that the media has given us of AIDS. “It’s a simple study of hope in
the face of adversity...Viewers will find it a comfort, if not a
revelation.” (The New York Times) Local AIDS activists will lead
a discussion after the Sunday showing.

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OUT: STORIES OF LESBIAN AND GAY YOUTH, is a strong
and spirited overview of the lives and struggles of lesbian and gay
teenagers in Canada. It covers a broad range of concerns and features
a rich cross—section of interviews with a new generation of articulate
and proud teenagers. Frank interviews with parents, along with
discussions of homophobia, coming out, and finding community
make the film a great primer for young people, gay and straight.
There will be discussion sponsored by OUTRIGHT VERMONT
after the Tuesday show.

SAVAGE NIGHTS is the final testament of Cyril Collard, the
writer, director, and star of this intense and often shocking film, who
died of AIDS three days before it swept the French “Cesar” awards in
1993. Jean, played by Collard, is an openly bisexual filmmaker living
in Paris, who continues to live with reckless abandon even after being
diagnosed as l-IIV-positive. He has a torrid affair with a young actress
(Romane Bohringer), but chooses not to tell her of his condition.
“The film explodes pieties and certainties about sex, which makes the
film angry, insolent, and exciting to watch.” (Rolling Stone)

THE WEDDING BANQUET enjoyed great critical acclaim at its
release last year, and was nominated for a Best Foreign Language
Film Oscar (Although it is officially a Taiwanese film, it takes place
in New York City and is in both English and Chinese). Its hero, Wai-
Tung Guo, seems to have it all: financial security, a brownstone, and
an American male lover who cooks great Chinese food. Under
pressure from his traditional family to continue the family name, he
agrees to marry a young woman in need of a green card. “The
banquet that gives this funny and poignant comedy of manners its
name is an opulent nuptial celbration that refuses to end...It is the
unusual comedy in which the humor springs as much from character
as from situation." (The New York Times)

WILDFLOWERS is a touching and unsentimental Scottish film set
in the seemingly passionless confines of a rustic village. Annie is a
middle-aged wife and mother of two who once had an adolescent
affair with another woman, an affair discovered by her stern mother.
Annie has accepted her lot, with the affair a bittersweet memory, until
her son Angus brings his girl friend home on their college vacation.
“The film is gentle in tone but with strong currents bubbling under the
carefully nurtured bourgeois normality...The principal actresses are
excellent, breathing even more life into the already lively, and often
funny, script.” (London Observer)

TICKET PRICES
Entire Series ticket $35
Five-film ticket $20
Single admission $5; each additional same-day show $4
Please note:
Series tickets non-transferable.
Savoy membership is not valid for the festival.
No advance single admission sales.
Make checks payable to FOCUS ON FILM

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