OUT IN AFRICA ’07 FILM REVIEWS

Mambaonline takes a look at some of the highlights of the 2007 Out In Africa International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, which takes place in Joburg and Cape Town in March.

20 CENTIMETRES (20 Centimetros)

Dir: Ramón Salazar • Spain • 113 min • 35mm • 2005

It’s not easy being a pre-op transsexual working the streets of Madrid – as it’s made clear by the remarkable Marieta. Matters are not helped by her narcolepsy (a hint of My Own Private Idaho) or by her mooching dwarf flatmate. 20 Centimetres is a funny and moving film that recounts what happens when Marieta meets the hunky man of her dreams: the only problem is that he’s smitten by the 20 centimetre long manhood that she is determined to surgically remove. The film doesn’t dwell on gender / trans issues per se, rather concerned with telling its story in alternatively naturalistic and fantastical styles. It’s beautifully filmed and the characters are sassy and engaging; I dare you not to develop a soft spot for Marieta and her gang. An interesting twist is the exceptionally well choreographed musical numbers that erupt on screen every time Marieta passes out from narcolepsy. There’s a vibrancy and life to the film that is that uniquely Spanish. It’s a touch overlong, but undoubtedly a highlight of the festival.

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BEAUTIFUL BOXER

Dir: Ekachai Uekrongtham • Thailand • 116 min • 35mm • 2003

Beautiful Boxer is the moving – and apparently true – story of Nong Toom, a shy young man who becomes a famous Thai kick boxer while grappling with his transsexuality. Success in the ring becomes a path to afford a sex change operation, which will also mean an end to her career (women are not allowed to kickbox in Thailand). The uplifting story – from a feminine young boy to a woman – is recounted by the now-female Parinya Charoenphol. It’s a visually impressive film which explores the contradictions and complexities of how we perceive gender. The astonishingly beautiful Asanee Suwan (who is a real-life kickboxing star) impresses both with his ability to project the feminine and masculine aspects of his character as well as excelling in the physicality of the role. The fights are superbly choreographed – elegant and gritty – and never bore. My one complaint is that through Parinya’s life journey we never see any kind of sexual encounter or relationship. It’s something that is simply ignored – perhaps aiming for mainstream acceptance. Nevertheless, Beautiful Boxer is one of the highlights of the festival.

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BOY CULTURE

Dir: Q. Allan Brocka • USA • 85 min • Digital • 2006

Based on the book of the same name, Boy Culture falls into the tradition of the gay hustler searching for love. That makes it sound a little simplistic, but it’s not. The characters are well-developed and their challenges and journeys complex and real. X – who narrates the film and refuses to divulge his name to us – is on the surface an unemotional and professional high-class rent boy who’s particularly good at what he does. While he appears to be quite content with his life, he’s actually miserable about the fact that he can’t seem to develop his attraction for one of his housemates. Another beautifully crafted offering, with a quiet yet sexually sizzling performance by Derek Magyar as the emotionally stunted X. Darryl Stephens – who is a guest of the festival – also stands out as his much-desired flatmate.

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BLACK BEAULAHS

Dir: Fanney Tsimong • South Africa • 48 min • Digital • 2005

Having been involved in the making of this film means that my review may well be biased. Nevertheless, as one of the very few local films on offer this year, it’s certainly worth checking out. This almost hour-long documentary explores the lives of three black gay men who live in Soweto. You’ll meet Somizi / Gigi – a performer, dancer and talk-show host, the bodybuilder Chix and DK the funeral director. For the most part they are openly gay. Narrated by the director, it’s really a personal character study from the filmmaker’s perspective; unabashedly and positively depicting black gay life – something rarely seen in Africa. While it’s played at film festivals internationally, this will be Black Beaulahs’ South African premiere (a contractual dispute with the SABC has seen the film held back from being screened on TV as intended). Director Fanney Tsimong, who is a guest of the festival, will introduce screenings of the film.

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COFFEE DATE

Dir: Stewart Wade • USA • 93 min • 35mm • 2006

Coffee Date is a film that generally works despite the fact that it’s rather uneven. Thanks to clever wit, and likable characters, you may be willing to forgive the somewhat stiff filmmaking, obviously low budget and occasional performance missteps. Through a series of misadventures Todd, a straight man, is increasingly mistaken as gay – to the point where he himself begins to question his sexuality. There’s much humour to be had by watching Todd trying to convince a disbelieving world, well-meaning friends and a gay-flag waving mother that he is in fact straight. It raises some interesting questions about how we define our sexuality and explores something rather rare in film: friendships between straight men and gay men. By no means one of the best films this year, Coffee Date is still an enjoyable experience.

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CYCLES OF PORN: SEX / LIFE IN LA PART 2

Dir: Jochen Hick • Germany • 104 min • Digital • 2005

Yet another documentary about the porn world. Filmmakers – like most of the planet – are fascinating by the realities behind the cameras of the a