PAGE 12

Review: Taxi Zum Klo

JUNE 1982

Thanks to the courtesy of The Cleveland International Film Festival, both the director, Frank Ripploh, and his film Taxi Zum Klo were brought to Cleveland for presentation to local audiences. Kudos are due the Festival, for the overtures and coordination with M.A.C. Through special consideration with the Festival, the Men's Action Committee (M.A.C.) of the Gear Foundation was able to offer reduced price tickets to the showing of the film, and to host a luncheon with Mr. Ripploh. Unfortunately, both events tended toward exercises in tedium.

On the day of the luncheon Mr. Ripploh was suffering from both the aftereffects of jet lag, and the tail end of the flu which would probably explain much of his lackadaisical attitude and difficulty in focusing attention. He is also still facing several difficult entaglements with the German government over various technical issues dealing with the film and his past career as a school teacher which seems to still be affecting his present outlook toward this artistic endeavor. Mr. Ripploh never expected his film to garner as much attention as it has, especially on an international scene, and he is currently unsure how exactly to react toward the current acclaim he is receiving.

Both at the luncheon, and in talks with the audience after both showings of his film, Mr. Ripploh reiterated his wish that the film be judged on its general merits, and not as a par-

ticularly "gay" work. Ripploh states: "This is not a gay love story, but a story of love between two men." However, it is difficult to perceive how the film could possibly be receiving such acclaim if its particular approach to its gay theme is not taken into consideration. If its offhanded acceptance of gay male sexuality is no longer considered as part of the merits of the film, what is left as a basis to judge its artistic merit is, at best, skimpy.

There is scant plot or character development in the story line of this film; little to no innovation in film technique; no call for expertise at any level on the part of the actors; and scant resolution of what little conflict is presented.

At best, the film seems to represent a visual stream of consciousness of the main character's attempt through repeated, indiscriminate, irresponsible, physical contact with numerous people to work out his particular sexual identity. There seems to be no progress in this character's attempt to work through the particular quandry in which he presently finds himself. There also seems to be no attempt by the central character to apply even the briefest reflection or intellectual capacity to his actions. The final result leaves a film with all the stimulation of a time lapse photograph of the blossoming of a rose bud, or, as the film in reality is, the time lapse photograph of the banal existence of a man given over totally to existence by way of physical stimulation.

It seems that, once again, when judging a film with gay subject matter, the critical film audience has been unable to move past that sexual subject matter, to judge the work on its artistic merit. This film, if judged only on artistic merit, is left with very little to justify its existence.

The mere fact that a film is attempting to handle what was at one time a controversial subject matter should no longer give it sufficient credence for critical acceptance when there is no further basis for its artistic merit. For too long, shabby or at best mediocre films treating gays have been reviewed most gingerly with too much attention paid to possible offending sensibilities. It is not that Mr. Ripploh's portrayal is inaccurate or unsympathetic, it is, finally, that it is unnecessary, and unpurposeful.

THE GOLDWI COAST

Making It Happen

on the WESTSIDE

WEDS.

A new West Side Tradition: Happy Hour cocktail prices all night.

SUN.

June 6 The Gold Coast Dancers

June 13 Mona Desmond in Concert

June 20 Marcella Wilson and Friends

FRI. & SAT.

Party Down $2.00 cover at door. MEN & WOMEN: 1st Floor

MEN ONLY: 2nd Floor with Music by Cleveland's own Gregg Witbick

June 27 All Start Review Melissa Ross Miss Gay Ohio U.S.A. 80-81 Georgia Jackson Miss Gay W. Va. U.S.A. 81-82

Sonja Ross Miss Gay America 81-82