Back!

Okay so after a long hiatus, Damaged Room is back! Classes took their toll this semester, and I barely had time to juggle all the things in my life. But, fortunately, winter break is upon us - and with it... more movies!

So come back! Visit! Thanks to my broken external hard drive, I have been forced to go find movies to watch again, rather than plugging in the familiar ones. So expect to see periodic movie reviews of the lesbian persuasion!

- Arco Iris

#93 - The Secrets (Ha-Sodot)

Oh yes, I have mentioned The Secrets for so long and I have finally gotten to actually writing about it! Excited? I am. Why? Because I effing love this movie. It's so good... in every possible way. But, before I go and gush about this Israeli 2008 gem, I'll give you a bit of background.

The movie centers around Naomi and Michel and their time in a women's Jewish seminary. In the first part of the film there is a lot of tension and disagrements between these two characters, but of course as all movies go - they eventually become friends and lovers. Their story however, is not the central one. Actually, you don't get to any lesbian loving until maybe 2/3rds of the film has passed, and until then, there really isn't any indication that that's where the movie is headed. Most of the movie centers around the two women helping out Anouk, a French woman searching redemption for her sins.

Part of the reason I love this movie is because it goes into so many different aspects. It's neither a movie about two girls who fall in love, nor is it a movie about redemption. It's a movie that incorporates so many different aspects and you're just left completely awestruck by the quality.

The acting was fantastic, as was the script. The movie may have run for 20 minutes too long, but you know what.... that was 20 extra minutes where I got to see Noemi and Michel. Have I mentioned how incredibly beautiful both leading women are? And their interaction with each other? Wow. They were so friggen adorable that I didn't know if I should go "aww" when thinking about their cuteness, or be jealous that I will never be able to reach that level of aww factor with anyone.

Now, don't get me wrong. This is not a happy film. In fact, the ending will have you confused and wanting to go to Avi Nesher herself and demand a better ending. But, that's part of the movie itself. I won't spoil it, but I will say that it's not your traditional lesbian movie. Neither Michel no Noemi die, but that doesn't mean that either of them, as well as the audience, isn't left heartbroken.

Don't watch this movie after a break-up, or if you're feeling vulnerable, but definitely watch this movie. It's so good, and it will leave you haunted for a while.

National Coming Out Day

Well, seeing Telemachus actually post fueled a fire in me to end my blogging drought- and what better way of doing this than blogging about National Coming Out Day!

For those of you who don't know, National Coming Out Day is on October 11 and it's the day that is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trangsender issues. (thank you wiki!)

So, what are your schools doing for that day? It's a shame that Cornell's gay community is not that involved and you don't really hear much of anything on National Coming out Day, but they do have a few things going on. I wish that this day was a lot more popular and better known. It wasn't until this year that I even knew or heard of it before hand, and that was only through the queer-related listserves. I bothers me when I think about how little must be heard of these issues on smaller, more conservative campuses when I begint to consider that Cornell is so big and so liberal and yet to little is heard on this campus.

However, hopefully, this year, the LGBTQ groups plan to have a few things set up on the main plaza on campus, including a closet door to step through! I also received an email on the LGBT-listserve asking people to send in their names so that they can print them out and post them on the newspaper on that day. Just list all the names of the allys and gay/lesbians/queers on campus. I feel like this is a pretty ballsy move for anyone. Granted, they probably wouldn't face a lot of backlash for doing so, and while I'm not comfortable with just putting my name out there like that- I totally give props and kudos to anyone who does.

So anyway, what do YOU plan to do for National Coming Out Day? I plan to just wear my Queer's fight back shirt (an event last semester) and my rainbow belt! Any more plans/ideas?

Detective Comic #856

Following my review of Detective Comics #854 and 855 I felt that it was necessary that I keep up with the following issues. Issue #856 was a pretty interesting read, and I really appreciated the suited up lesbians!

While there really wasn't much of a plot development in this issue until the final few pages, I really enjoyed the scene with Kate at her step mother's fundraiser. Instead of the usual ball gown, Kate opted for the trendy tux, and while she did raise a few eye brows, ultimately, she was able to have a dance with a fellow gay girl who also came in a tux.

This part of the comic actually does raise a few question in real life as well. What is a gay girl to wear at formal parties/get together. While dresses are downright uncomfortable, suits, I feel, have yet to made the transition completely across the gay girl section of formal attire. I know that I dislike having to wear dresses for formals (or my frat's inductions) or family parties, but I feel like I have no other option. Of course, one can always opt for the "I'm here.. get used to it" viewpoint and stick to the pants and just stare right back at the people who stare back, unfortunately I have yet to get to that point.

Until then, instead of suiting up, I'll be dressing up! Oh, if only one day I too can pull a Robin Scherbatsky.

#16 - But I'm a Cheerleader

If there's one movie that always leaves me with a smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart, it's But I'm a Cheerleader. Premiering in 1999, But I'm a Cheerleader is one of the funniest satires I've seen, and being that it was the first lesbian movie I ever saw, it did leave an imprint in the good ol' bag of lesbian nostalgia-dom.

Feelings aside however, But I'm a Cheerleader is a very good romantic comedy. The acting leaves a little to be desired, but it is still pretty entertaining to watch. From the seasoned lesbian/gay man who can laugh at gay jokes to the coming out of the closet person who can kinda begin to see that maybe being gay isn't all that terrible, the sexual innuendoes and the setting full of stereotypes is one that anyone can enjoy.

Plot

The movie is about Megan, a girl-next door, apple pie making, cheerleader who is sent to True Directions, an center that turns gays into ex-gays, after her friends and family conclude that she must be a lesbian. She does have all the signs - a poster of Melissa Ethridge, doesn't eat meat, has a flowery pillow, and doesn't like kissing her boyfriend. While she originally protests being gay, hence the "but I'm a cheerleader!" part, once at True Directions she does come to realize and admit to her true feelings. The rest of the movie centers around her, her romantic interest, and the other kids at the center while they attempt to convert, subvert, or run away from True Directions.

The movie pokes light hearted fun at the idea of conversion therapy, stereotypes, and closed minded adults, all of which adds to the charm of the film.

Characters

All the characters in the film add a special, unique flavor to the movie. While each person does represent one stereotype or another, they are all lovable and you feel for each of the teens in the move. The relationships between the characters are also heartwarming and positive, for the most part. While there are a couple times where I did get annoyed by the protagonist, her actions do remind you that people are flawed and at times ridiculous.

Setting

One of the things that stands out when watching the movie, is the use of color in the setting. Most of the colors related to the gay teens are so bright and vibrant, which stands in stark contrast to the background and attire of the parents in the film, and the world outside of True Directions. This sharp contrast brings a tone of surrealism to the film that make the events in the movie that much more believable to the audience.

But I'm a Cheerleader is definitely a positive lesbian movie for a person of any age, particularly teens. It is funny, heartwarming, and charming. Unlike many of the other films that end in tragedy or disgrace, this movie ends with a sense of hope for the future.

Casi Divas

I just came back from seeing a special screening of Casi Divas (or roughly translated, Almost Divas/Famous). It's a recent Mexican film that has made it's way to the United States. Casi Divas is a film about a fictional reality show where the contestants are competing to be the next star for a movie. It's a comedy that as times is filmed as a documentary, reality show, absurd comedy, and expose. It follows the lives of 4 of its contestants: Francisca, Ximena, Yesenia, Catalina. They all come from different parts of Mexico and are a bit stereotyped into it.

The best I can describe the movie is that it's a movie about a reality show that does not take itself too seriously but also tries to bring about topics of importance. It touches on a number of topics that are issues in Mexico - kidnapping, racism, homophobia/transphobia, and eating disorders. In fact, each one of the women is the poster child for each of those issues. It's a movie that makes you think about these things, but it doesn't try to be a part of the movement to change any of the problems. In fact, it brings them to light just so that you know they exist. Ximena sums it up perfectly near the end of the movie: "I am who I am."

No one really learns anything in the movie, and many things go back to the same way they were. But, the thing is. The movie doesn't seem to be a movie where the characters is supposed to learn something new. The purpose was to get people to laugh and to make a satire of a few Mexican things - particularly soap operas.

I had my reservations about tagging this under "101 must see..." because no one in the movie a lesbian. Although, at one point you do think one is. In fact, that character, Yesenia turns out to be wtm transgender. Since I do not have a 101 for the trans community, and since Boys Don't Cry is on this list, I add it to this list as well, with hopes that newer updated versions will include it as part of the 101's as well. Because I do think that this is a movie that lesbians should see, or any woman for that matter. It's a movie about women before anything else. These women supported each other, were at times bitches, but did genuinely care about each other (for the most part).

I particularly liked how the topics were treated in the film. Like I said, they weren't added to start a movement or anything, they were added to simply inform the audience that these subjects do exist, and these are things that people have to live and deal with. And when the camera is off, these problems will continue to be there. Juarez is a place in Mexico that is notorious for kidnapping for women trafficking. Anorexia is something that many women deal with. The pressure to be thin knows no borders, and the fact that it does remain hidden for years, and can continue to be concealed is something that is also real. Racism because of how dark you are, even in Mexico, hell, in South America, is also legitimate. The browner you are, the harder it is. And for the homophobia/transphobia, so much has already been said about those issues, and I'm glad that they continue to be talked about.

This movie was a perfect mix of humor and seriousness. It times it was completely absurd, and then you were brought back quickly to reality. Even then, most of the times it was done as a satire. I don't really have anything bad to say about this movie. It was very well done. Even though it was a bit stereotypical, it was done so that you could laugh at the stereotype. And it wasn't done maliciously, for someone who doesn't know much about Mexican culture, it wouldn't give you a negative perspective on it.

As I've said before, I'm very proud of Mexican cinema as of late. They have produced some truly tremendous films, and this is an example of one of them. It was well written, well acted, and well received.

#70 - Red Doors

In the same way that The Incredibly True of Adventures of Two Girls in Love wasn't a lesbian movie, or a teen movie, Red Doors wasn't a lesbian movie, or a movie about a Chinese family. Instead, it was a dramedy about a dysfunctional family trying to survive.

Red Doors, directed by Georgia Lee, is movie that follows the lives of three Chinese daughters and their parents in the United States. It's evident that all three daughters were raised in the US and have assimilated into the Western Culture. The youngest, Kat, is part of a hip hop dance group, the eldest is engaged to a white man and has been planning a wedding that does not include many, if any, of the Chinese traditions, much to her mother's chagrin.

In case you're wondering, the middle child is the one in the lesbian relationship. In fact, I spent a good portion of the beginning of the movie wondering who was the one who would eventually come out. Honestly, that relationship was not given a lot of attention in the movie, but then again, none of the characters and their stories were given much attention. While a little under developed, I somehow still felt like I had seen enough about each person. It almost felt like most of the action and thoughts happened off camera, and what was shown was the result of those actions.

However, this does not take away from the movie. Red Doors was a quirky film about quirky characters. It's a sweet film about family. Although they all had their own lives, although none of them seemed really connected to each other, at the end of the day they came together. And although the movie is full of jokes and one liners, it also has a serious undertone. The themes they deal with aren't all funny. However, it does appeal to those with a darker sense of humor.

There is one bone I do have to pick with Lee. Julie's sexuality was a bit too ambiguous. I would have liked to have seen some type of lesbian revelation, or or scene where she admits to same sex attractions or something. I'm not asking for a coming out scene, but some type of scene where you learn a little bit about the character. Her sister's had a couple scenes where you got to see the past, thoughts, experiences of the characters, but you never got that for Julie. Let's just chalk it up to middle child syndrome.

However, I still really liked this film. Everyone was amusing and the plot, while a bit zanny was pretty good. If you're looking for another movie about a Chinese family, after watching Saving Face, definitely look into this one.