The Queen Vs. Texas
Emil Lozada, Raemonn James
2024, 15 mins.
“I’ve just been so busy being fabulous”
The above quote comes from the well lipsticked mouth of the pride of Texas drag queens, Hermajestie the Hung (who also cares for an adorable two-year-old).
This film is a must-see for those who never will: Texas “lawmakers” who know much better than their constituents what is best for ALL citizens (at least the ones who look and pray like them).
In the state where children are safer at a drag show than a church or school, it is truly pathetic to see so much time, energy and empty words wasted on a community that brings so much joy and understanding to millions of citizens.
Nina Simone said it all:
“You don’t have to live next to me, just give me my equality.”
So true and vice versa: who would want to knowingly live near a bigot and ignorant “servant of the people”? (Fortunately, there are a few, but not yet enough exceptions in the hallowed halls of those who purport to know better than us.) JWR
Auganic
Krit Komkrichwakakool
2024, 20 mins.
Golden proof
Imagine making love to the man of your dreams and literally cumming up gold!
In this inventive, er, two-hander, Kai (Matt Dejanovic) releases a glimmering seed that may well lead to financial security forever (what researcher wouldn’t pay a fortune to discover how the act of sexual release could lead to unimagined riches, once the secret was discovered?). Partner Nick (Kenny Brain) is quietly hoping that his husband’s cock gold mine might prevent the sale of their farm.
Here's hoping that more than the proof is in the pudding! Golden showers move over. JWR
If I Die In America
Ward Kamel
2024, 15 mins.
‘Til death do part us
The death of a partner is probably one of the most difficult experiences to have. In this instance a “married” gay couple (no traditional ceremony was performed, we learn), has the survivor’s (Gil Perez-Abraham, stoically, at times heroically as Manny) grieving virtually destroyed by Muslim tradition: must be buried within 24 hours in the country of birth.
Seems there is nothing Manny can do to honour his lover in the typical American way: funeral home visitation, service in due course, burial or cremation.
By journey’s end, Manny is left more alone than ever: no husband, no supportive family and nursing some wounds that definitely go far more than skin deep. JWR
Chickenshit
Ellie Rogers
2024, 4 mins.
Love at first dare
Two young boys (Raphael Vicas and Frazier Atterbry) have a playful run through the forest (literally punctuated by a nosebleed) before walking down a country lane where all manner of critters might be grazing.
To protect the unseen creatures, a high-voltage electric fence silently pens them in. But not so the boys.
Rather than face the label of “chicken” the fence is touched to a burning result. No matter, all is immediately healed by some more than buddy-to-buddy hand holding and gradually intensifying pecks on the cheeks.
Nothing like a day with nature to let natural inclinations emerge. JWR
Chan Is Fishing
Jacqueline Chan
2024, 14 mins.
“Maybe the last one is waiting for me”
Having been to and circumvented the Salton Sea (a few miles south of Palm Springs just before Mexico), I was fascinated by the notion that there still might be game fish left in this watery disaster.
But Chan’s film is more about hope than anywhere near to the drama of The Old Man and the Sea. JWR