Frameline is thrilled to partner with guest bloggers from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire during this year's festival! We've invited students from the LGBTQA Studies: San Francisco Travel Seminar at UWEC to share their experiences of Frameline and their thoughts on San Francisco's queer community.
"Thursday evening, July 16, 2011. It’s opening night for the International Frameline Film Festival, the first I’ve ever had the chance to attend. After being immersed into the Castro for my first full day, it was the perfect way to end the evening. “Gun Hill Road” is a story about a high school boy from the Bronx, as the film proceeds, it briefly follows his transitioning journey to be female and how his prison-returned father handles this surprising ‘dream crusher’. Before I had realized this was the film chosen to kick off the film festival, I had still chosen to attend the motion picture. Reading through the brief description, I was drawn to the combination of ‘Coming Out’, ‘Homophobia’, ‘Latino’, ‘Male-to-Female’, ‘Parenting/Family’, and ‘Youth’. Originally fascinated with the ‘Parenting’ and ‘Youth’ dynamic, I was surprised how applicable the film was, to my own life. With little exposure to queer cinema prior to our course, I really wasn’t sure what to expect during the film. It was one of the first films that I have seen that was more of a story based, rather than documentary. I was really touched by the sincerity of Harmony’s transformation. During the ‘Q & A’, the director described the film as a story about a father and son, both looking for a fulfillment of love to be reciprocated, but are looking in the wrong places, love must come before unrealistic expectations. I thought it was a beautiful way of expressing the core of the film. This story may have been about a transgender high school kid, which doesn’t exactly align with the path my life has taken, but the overwhelming desire to be loved, is relatable on any level." - Lindsay Miklya
"My experience was remarkable and certainly unforgettable, and would definitely recommend this film be presented at the Eau Queer Film Festival. I’m in close relations with a member of the Eau Claire Community who is going through transition from female to male. As he takes dosing of testosterone he goes through daily obstacles and rewards at the same time, but also trying to gain self acceptance as a man. As I watched Michael to Vanessa’s fascinating story I had a better understanding as I watched and the storyline developed over the course of the film. Then, during the question and answer session when Harmony gave her personal testimony it was touching as she stood there beautiful and confident!" - Katie Chaplin
"Attending the opening night of Frameline was such an amazing experience. I have had little to no encounters with Queer cinema up until this course, but have loved every moment of becoming immersed in this world of film. I find in watching these films that the portrayal of people and the relationships and interactions that are part of their lives are so real, raw, and emotional. Every piece, whether humorous or serious, is moving and I find myself more invested in the characters and story than I ever have with other films." - Brianna Mueller
"The experience of seeing this film was awesome. Being in the Castro is just so amazing. The scene where the father forces Michael to have interactions with a prostitute I just wanted to yell out at the screen. I can’t understand how someone could be so cruel to someone they love. The emotional aspect of the film had me tearing up one minute and then smiling the next. When the film ended I wanted to see more. I wish the story continued." - Katie Johnson
For more information about the contributors, click here: http://blog.frameline.org/