Change Your Image
michaelmorton22
Reviews
Lola + Bilidikid (1999)
the feel of a classic
This film accomplishes what it sets out to do, and it does so in a beautiful way. Not everyone can know what it feels like to be Turkish in Germany, and this movie communicates that feeling without sacrificing the feeling of being within the lives of the people it's about. Why do so few films achieve this?
Within its specificity, you also discover its universality. How many immigrants of color (from all over the world) in white-dominated countries (all over the world) will see something of themselves in this film? This film has the feel of a classic.
I know some people may feel the film is too depressing, or too dependent on gratuitous violence and on queer stereotypes that many of us may want to push into the past. Maybe we can reflect on the possibility that the stereotypes we may want to avoid aren't really a thing of the past, and the depression and violence the film refers to is quite real and current.
El cielo dividido (2006)
like a truly demanding top, but told from a bottom's point of view
I love how a film with little dialog can generate as much discussion as it has in this forum, and I think it's a very productive kind of discussion.
I've seen some other films that make the artistic choice to exclude homophobia/discrimination from the world they depict. In this film, that artistic choice is echoed by the choice to exclude dialog. What you are left with is an opportunity to appreciate the depth of male-male feeling while simultaneously being held powerless to use dialog to relate that private, intimate meaning to public life.
I was so scared when Sergio kissed Gerardo at school, but then I realized the film had removed the possibility of fear and had done so without giving any explanation or opportunity to understand. My fear had been obviated, and I received a kind of emotional shock, a positive shock to be sure, but still a shock.
I think the key to this film is to allow it to push you past your limits. You may experience it as tedium, but you can choose to view that feeling differently. It's a demanding film -- give in to its demands, and it will give you more than you expected. An earlier review ("Amazing") captured the feeling well: He was bored the first time, but he really got it the second time.
Breakfast with Scot (2007)
a "gay" movie that's also a "family/kids" movie
They're still hard to find, aren't they? Well, you've found one.
When the adults are messed up, and the kid needs them to get their act together, and being gay/coming out isn't just about you... Um, it's almost like real life. Wow. The adults in this movie definitely make all the right mistakes.
Aesthetically, the film is great, but if you're wanting to find (more) safe ways to talk about queer family issues with your child, that's not your primary concern. And, actually, you can watch this one with a child of almost any age, and if you're kid is like my eight-year-old, there will be plenty of things to discuss.
Enjoy.