AmosL
08-20-2006, 04:53 PM
"Hilde's Journey", "Boy Culture" and "Beverly Kills'
Cinema Pride--Amos Lassen
The Swiss haven't really ventured into gay movie making yet but if this film is an indication of a turn, then they have begun with a fascinating study. "Hilde's Journey" (Ariztical, Culture Q Releasing) is directed by Christof Vorster who also co-wrote the film.
When the story begins, Mark Hilder or Hilde as he known has died of AIDS and his lover Steff inherits his entire fortune. Hilde was the son of a wealthy family and so his estate was considerable. Steff thinks that he will finally do what he has always wanted to do--start his own business. Unknownst to him, at first, is the fact that to gain his inheritance he must face Hilde's mother--a staunch homophobe. as he makes himself ready to deal with this prospect, suddenly other problems begin to appear. Rex, another ex-boyfriend of Hilde appears. Her is HIV negative and extremely handsome and sexy as well as headstrong and determined to heed Hilde's last wish--to have his ashes scattered at sea. Of course, Hilde's mother objects. Steff finally arranges a deal with the mother--a small percentage of the original inheritance and the urn of the dead man's ashes. Rex, in turn, steals the urn and this action forces Steff into a reexamination of his life and the things that matter in it.
Even though there are gaping holes in the script, "Hilde's Journey" is an interesting film. There is really nothing new presented. We have all heard stories of families that have forgotten their sons stepping back in after death. This is a story of honor and betrayal of honor. The overriding theme is that love will hold us together regardless of the heavy choices we must make in life. Even with its flaws, the fact that it pictures clearly the problem of the legality of a partner's rights makes this an important film.
If any of you remember the fascinating book Boy Culture by Matthew Rettenmund, you will certainly want to see the film adaptation now making the rounds at Film festivals. The book was a great comic novel laced with heavy eroticism. Hailed as the date movie of the year "Boy Culture" (not yet released on video) is a feel good film. Filmed on location in Seattle, it is the story of a male escort (or as we seem to prefer--hustler) and the web he spins as his affairs with various clients becomes tangled. Issues of monogamy, fidelity, miscegenation and love across generations are what this film is about. As our hero, Gregory, becomes involved separately with a pair of lovers and an older mysterious man, fireworks are ignited and the movie takes off as a delightful romp. It's great fun.
A wonderfully energetic movie is about to hit our DVD players--"Beverly Kills" (TLA Releasing). Here we have a tale of a not too young (to be kind), not too pretty (to be even kinder) drag queen named Beverly Jackson (Gary Kelley). Beverly is so distraught that she has not been cast in a review, "Balls Out!" that she vows revenge. Sometimes revenge can be fun but here it leaps out of control and Beverly leaps with it. Simple revenge becomes terrorism and those to be disposed of are all gorgeous men in their prime. This film was obviously meant to satirize the cult films of Hollywood and sometimes the irony is a bit too strong. All in all, it is good for laughs and a very pleasurable way to pass some free time. It's madcap. it's clever and it's just fun.
Cinema Pride--Amos Lassen
The Swiss haven't really ventured into gay movie making yet but if this film is an indication of a turn, then they have begun with a fascinating study. "Hilde's Journey" (Ariztical, Culture Q Releasing) is directed by Christof Vorster who also co-wrote the film.
When the story begins, Mark Hilder or Hilde as he known has died of AIDS and his lover Steff inherits his entire fortune. Hilde was the son of a wealthy family and so his estate was considerable. Steff thinks that he will finally do what he has always wanted to do--start his own business. Unknownst to him, at first, is the fact that to gain his inheritance he must face Hilde's mother--a staunch homophobe. as he makes himself ready to deal with this prospect, suddenly other problems begin to appear. Rex, another ex-boyfriend of Hilde appears. Her is HIV negative and extremely handsome and sexy as well as headstrong and determined to heed Hilde's last wish--to have his ashes scattered at sea. Of course, Hilde's mother objects. Steff finally arranges a deal with the mother--a small percentage of the original inheritance and the urn of the dead man's ashes. Rex, in turn, steals the urn and this action forces Steff into a reexamination of his life and the things that matter in it.
Even though there are gaping holes in the script, "Hilde's Journey" is an interesting film. There is really nothing new presented. We have all heard stories of families that have forgotten their sons stepping back in after death. This is a story of honor and betrayal of honor. The overriding theme is that love will hold us together regardless of the heavy choices we must make in life. Even with its flaws, the fact that it pictures clearly the problem of the legality of a partner's rights makes this an important film.
If any of you remember the fascinating book Boy Culture by Matthew Rettenmund, you will certainly want to see the film adaptation now making the rounds at Film festivals. The book was a great comic novel laced with heavy eroticism. Hailed as the date movie of the year "Boy Culture" (not yet released on video) is a feel good film. Filmed on location in Seattle, it is the story of a male escort (or as we seem to prefer--hustler) and the web he spins as his affairs with various clients becomes tangled. Issues of monogamy, fidelity, miscegenation and love across generations are what this film is about. As our hero, Gregory, becomes involved separately with a pair of lovers and an older mysterious man, fireworks are ignited and the movie takes off as a delightful romp. It's great fun.
A wonderfully energetic movie is about to hit our DVD players--"Beverly Kills" (TLA Releasing). Here we have a tale of a not too young (to be kind), not too pretty (to be even kinder) drag queen named Beverly Jackson (Gary Kelley). Beverly is so distraught that she has not been cast in a review, "Balls Out!" that she vows revenge. Sometimes revenge can be fun but here it leaps out of control and Beverly leaps with it. Simple revenge becomes terrorism and those to be disposed of are all gorgeous men in their prime. This film was obviously meant to satirize the cult films of Hollywood and sometimes the irony is a bit too strong. All in all, it is good for laughs and a very pleasurable way to pass some free time. It's madcap. it's clever and it's just fun.