Sunday Night is WOMEN’S NIGHT With Cheryl Dunye’s “The Owls”
by Sekiya Dorsett
Cheryl Dunye’s The Owls is a fusion of documentary and narrative but more importantly a celebration of freedom in filmmaking. Since Dunye’s Watermelon Woman arrived on the scene in 1996, there has been praise for Dunye’s brave methods. She is a filmmaker who breaks the rules and defies all the odds to create unique experiences for the audience. This freshness visits us again in this new work.
The Owls celebrates experimental filmmaking. Dunye fuses strong character and story into nuggets of suspenseful moments. The Owls takes us into the lives of four aging lesbians with a secret that binds them. MJ (V.S. Brodie) and Iris (Guinevere Turner) are a washed-up producer and musician couple trapped in an alcoholic stupor which pulls them together and a soberness that forces them to face their truth. They disdain each other. Carol (Cheryl Dunye) and Lily(Lisa Gornick) are a bi-racial couple fighting for a dying relationship while trying to have a baby.
Above: Lily and Carol battle to save their relationship.
Linking the couples is the former fame, fortune and success of Lily and Iris who are former band mates and lovers. Today, the one thing that binds them all is a murder. A few years ago, during a wild party, MJ accidently kills Cricket a young lesbian who attacks her. In fear, the women hide Cricket’s body under MJ’s pool but the guilt continues to float to the surface and into their lives.
Above: MJ and Lily struggle.
As the four search for themselves, truth and peace of mind, Skye, a drifter, comes to shake up their world driving a wedge between Carol and Lily. She knows their secret and has come back for revenge. The weaving stories mixed with intensity of a mature drama makes The Owls a must see.
Guinevere Turner (Iris) is a blast from the past. You may remember her from her role in Rose Troche’s iconic lesbian film, Go Fish. This time, she plays a tormented narcissistic soul with ease. Skyler Cooper (Skye) brings intensity as the revengeful lover. Skyler is most noted for her appearance as herself in Debra A Wilson’s documentary Butch Mystique and in last year’s NewFest hit, Amber Sharp’s “Don’t Go”, the television pilot. Her muscles make a few appearances. V.S. Brodie (M.J.) plays the worn confused woman with sully awkwardness. As she pleasures herself while watching internet porn, we feel sorry for her. She is lonely. Cheryl Dunye( Carol ) is a nerdy aloof woman who is more concerned about her garden than the obvious interest of her awkward partner, “the awkward Brit”, Lisa Gornick (Lily).
Weaved throughout the narrative arc is two mini internal documentaries. During these moments, documentary/narrative clash. Like a reality show, the actors appear after key moments within the movie to share their feelings and provide a little commentary. Skye at one point jokes, “This is what I have been fighting for [in Iraq]. A chance for these women to live in the desert.” The five women provide insightful commentary as they discuss their experiences as community of aging lesbians, their feelings of “butch” and “femme” and more.
While the actors talk in the voice of their character, there are moments where they talk about themselves playing the characters and the way that the women joined together to create The Parliament Collective. With so much to absorb, this film is a true discussion piece about a sector of the lesbian community that is forgotten as we celebrate the glossed lesbians of the commercial “lesbian” media. This is definitely going to be one of the most talked about film of this year’s festival. It is the truth that has been missing and will be another Dunye classic.
Out Officers Tell All in “OUT of Annapolis”
OUT OF ANNAPOLIS is not simply a documentary but an oral history of proud officers with one thing in common. They are all LGBT alumni of Annapolis. Starting with those graduating in the 1980s and continuing with those from the 1990s, eleven officers from Annapolis, the U.S. Navy and U.S Marine Corps tell their stories as they learned how to survive under the wave of scrutiny and suspect before and during “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. All speak with fervor about serving their country and their numerous accomplishments. However, among all their glory, each talks about missing a part of themselves.
There is a memorable story from Robin Bolster, Class of 1984 who tells of being questioned for many hours after she was suspected of having a lesbian relationship with another naval officer in the early 1980s. After hours of questioning, she admits being a lesbian and makes what she calls “two of the most difficult phone calls she ever made” to tell her girlfriend and parents. It is a telling story of the lives of officers in the 1980s that experienced the witch-hunts for those that were gay or lesbian in the military. The 1990s class tell about their proud moments on the ship and fearful moments as they wait to be discharged or discovered to be “gay” under the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy.
With more than 300 LGBT Annapolis alumni, this cross section allows us to hear from the voices of those who have served as LGBT. It is a testimony and a learning experience. As you listen to the alumni the statistics are important to note. Title cards introduce just a few. Fewer than one out of eight naval officers identified as LGBT when they took their Oath for the Naval Academy. Some officers married heterosexual partners and later realized their sexuality years after graduation. Some realized their sexual orientation while serving. Others were engaged to heterosexual partners. Today, these proud men and women live OUT lives and in this film, they share themselves with the world.
OUT OF ANNAPOLIS is the triumphant story about how officers survived despite the odds. The film is proudly directed and produced by out members of the Annapolis alumni. Steve Clark Hall, Class of 1975, is the producer and director. Joe Soto, class of 1983, is Executive Producer. All Original Songs are performed by Heather Davies, class of 1993.
Daniel Choi, the current face of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell proclaimed at this year’s Equality Forum, “I am somebody and I deserve full equality. Right here. Right now.” We hope that the future alumni of Annapolis can be themselves and proclaim that statement with gusto.
Sekiya Dorsett
‘Children of God’ Balances Culture & Chaos with Religion, Sexuality
The film is filled with many themes as we look at: bi-racial relationships; the Caribbean “down low” phenomenon; the struggle of the conservatives against gay rights and the hypocrisy of the church. It is a rich intercultural experience as authentic Bahamian culture is shown in glimpses of the nighttime fish-fry parties, lazy island life and family gatherings. Mortimer takes viewers into the action and weexperience a mini vacation amidst the turmoil as local music, scenes ofisland nightlife and local jargon which make us feel that we are on theisland of Eleuthra alongside the characters in struggle.
As Johnny and Romeo get closer on the island, their environment getsmore beautiful. We find ourselves deep in the ocean, laying on expansive, sandy beaches and high on beautiful cliffs. At one point, as Romeo and Johnny share a moment under one of the cliffs, your breath stops. It is magic. Mortimer uses their environment to show that even though they are falling in love, they must ultimately hide. There are many beautiful moments in Children of God, you end up fully immersed in each scene. The cinematography is natural and the light brings out the amazing skin tones of each individual, making for a colorful film.
Children of God reminds us that hope still lies in the truth and reconciling religion and homosexuality lies in the Bible, “Love thy neighbor” but life isn’t about a storybook ending.
Sekiya Dorsett
