CHRONICLE
2000
out
A look behind Waters' films joins a dark drama onscreen
by Michelle Tomko
Cleveland Celluloid buffs can kick off Pride month in the theatre as the Cleveland Cinematheque offers two queer films: the documentary Divine Trash, and Australia's Head On.
Though Divine Trash picked up a Filmmakers Trophy for Best Documentary in 1998 at Sundance, I would pass on the popcorn. The movie chronicles the early stomach-turning career of John Waters and the making of his Pink Flamingos-up to and
including the infamous doggie doo-doo eating scene.
It is trash with a capitol T. The film, by Steve Yeager, gives a really well-rounded look at the films, inspirations, crew, family and friends of Waters.
Perhaps the most interesting element is footage shot by Yeager in 1972 when he had a small part in Pink Flamingos.
Also, the opinions are anything but onesided. The movie includes comments by Waters' arch nemesis Mary Avara, the chair of the Maryland Censor Board, and Waters' rather wholesome parents.
STRAND RELEASING
Sean (Julian Garner) and Ari (Alex Dimitriades, right) discover each other.
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It is electrifying to listen to Waters, Glenn Milstead (a.k.a. Divine), and other cast and crew speak candidly about drugs, low budgets, taboos, and harsh filming conditions.
The documentary makes its Cleveland première June 1 and again June 3. Make time to see this on the big screen. Cancel the pageant or commitment ceremony if you have to.
The dark, teetering on melodrama Aussie flick Head On is the following week, on June 8 and June 10. This foreign film will be hard to find, so try to catch it.
The story centers around a day in life of a 19-year-old, closeted, sexually obsessed Greek boy living in Australia. His struggle involves a guilt-tripping family who wants him to settle down and get married. Director
Ana
A young John Waters
Kokkinos drops the ball occasionally, giving her film the appearance of Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" video. But work past it. There is good acting here.
The standout is lead actor Alex Dimitriades, who plays the tortured Ari. His complete and total commitment to narcissism makes Dylan McDermott's character on The Practice seem like Mother Theresa. He is brilliant. Trust me, boys,
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he is also easy on the eyes.
Don't look for a no-loose-ends, cheesy Hollywood ending. This is true slice of life. The sex scenes are harsh and animalistic, the family is racked with realistic communication problems, and Johnny, the sidekick/best friend/transvestite, is not so secretly in love with Ari. It starts a mess and ends a mess. That's life.
THERAPY Hoffner Park Pride picnic
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has a stage show this year
Michelle Tomko
Cincinnati-As part of the celebration surrounding the return of the city's Gay Pride Parade, the Cincinnati-Gay and Lesbian Center's Pride Picnic in Hoffner Park will host "Alternating Currents Out @ Hoffner Park."
The show will begin at 1 pm June 11, as the Pride parade arrives at Hoffner Park, and will continue to 4 pm. It is being produced by Ken Colegrove, and the live broadcast on WAIF 88.3 FM will be produced by Don Wetterer, both from WAIF's GLBT public affairs radio program Alternating Currents (3 pm Saturdays and at www.alternating currents.org).
The free event is sponsored by Alternating Currents, the gay dance club Jacob's on the Avenue and Summerfair Inc. All the acts are performing pro bono in support of Pride.
"I am most excited about Summerfair giving us a grant for the staging. They are a primarily straight organization that took a stand and got involved in Pride," said organizer Ken Colegrove.
The three-hour extravaganza was designed to show diversity in the community. Per-
formers range from actors and poets, to punk rockers to folk artists.
"I was looking for an event to do a live broadcast from during Pride," said Colegrove about the creation of the event. "In the past, we would have a festival after the parade and there would be no or little entertainment. I wanted to put on a real quality show instead of merely putting musicians on a stage, and keep it moving by having several performers doing shorter sets. Then maybe we could keep folks interested enough to stay throughout the afternoon."
"The concept," he added, "is to present diverse acts that aren't necessarily what you would usually see at this type of event."
When asked his thoughts about Pride's return, Colegrove said, "For some of us, Pride never left. If you are talking about the return of the Pride parade, well, it got me out my chair to do something.”
"You must remember that this parade is not being put on by any of the local organizations," he pointed out. "The parade committee is made up of individuals who simply wanted a parade and decided to do it. That's sort of inspiring, isn't it?"
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