The Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (SIGLFF), held at the Crest Theatre, had a successful run during the weekend. Three nights of showcase short and full length movies were shown and were well received.

Each evening started with a VIP reception with Zócalo providing hors d’oeuvres. Barefoot Winery provided a station for wine, champagne, and other drinks. Informational stations were set up in the lobby entrance.

Tina Stidman, Vice President of the Sacramento Valley Veterans (SVV) and other volunteers were on hand to promote the fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. The SVV co-presented A Marine Story at the festival. Stidman also introduced me to the co-star Paris Pickard who was in attendance. Pickard’s presence and availability before and after the show only furthered to promote the movie. Paris’ demeanor and availability allowed the audience to ask any questions during a question and answer period after the showing of the featured film.

Dawn D. Deason, President of SIGLFF, feverishly worked at the Crest ensuring things were set up for the VIP sessions as well as introducing the films for each show. Dawn has produced and edited stories for NBC Nightly News, BBC World Service and other networks. She also has international experience and has impressive credentials well suited to run an event such as this.

The theatre was filled to near capacity each evening. Many who came to the show visited the booths that were set up and mingled until just about show time.

On the evening I attended there were 3 short films followed by A Marine Story. A Calling Card, directed by Jennifer Hatton, was a short film shot in Sacramento. You can see Headhunters in the background as well as other familiar Midtown sites during the film. The film’s focus is on the “calling card” left by the touch of butch or femme hands. Hatton was on the stage during the question and answer period after the show. The Sacramento film maker is looking forward to other projects and it’s great to see local film makers exhibit their art at festivals similar to the SIGLFF.

Chained, directed by Betsy Kalin, explored the use of wallet chains, and touched on the history and background and how they’re used within different groups. Bikers, surfers, dykes, and teens in America are fans of wallet chains. Interviews with owners of wallet chains gave insight as to how these individuals came to own one (or more). Kalin’s, film was humorous and informative.

A short German film, Frischluft Therapie (Fresh Air Therapy), was very cleverly done. The film, directed by Christoph Scheeman, deals with a lesbian relationship focusing on a session with their counselor. I won’t give the story away but the title gives a glimpse to this wonderfully made short film.

The feature film of Friday’s showings was A Marine Story, a film directed by Ned Farr. It’s a film that takes a stand against the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and its effects on gays and lesbians serving our country. Alex Everett, played by Dreya Weber, gives a stellar performance in this film.

As a strong Marine, Alex, has had a terrific record and shows superior leadership but has seen promotions slow to come. She is eventually discharged for receiving suspect, lesbian, e-mails, and returns to her hometown. As the film opens and Alex is making her way home she encounters a girl by the name of Saffron (Paris Pickard) during a botched armed robbery at a local store. As the story unfolds Alex is later asked to help the teenage Saffron to keep her out of jail.

The film deals with the constant struggles many gays and lesbians deal with and the pressure society puts upon them. Thousands of men and women in U.S. military uniforms are affected by the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy and the film explores some issues encountered by our service personnel.

The film touches on the roles that society puts on the gay and lesbian community in their personal lives and how people deal with their own struggles or those of their family and friends. The film includes great scenery shots and transitions that quickly move from flashback to present day. The casting and acting were excellent and the storyline was thought provoking. It seems incredible what many service personnel have to endure while serving in the armed forces. More incredible is the fact that many have dealt with dismissal, as in A Marine Story, for behavior unbecoming an officer.

There are a few lines thorough the movie that seem funny in nature but are clever innuendos. Many were uttered by Alex. “I wish ignorance was painful” was the most memorable. Another line that stayed in my mind was “Failure is not getting knocked down it is staying down”. Marines don’t cry was another line mentioned, “They don’t cry but at times their eyes do sweat”. Alex’s persona is that of a strong person with great motivation and leadership skills whose life, up to her dismissal, was the Marine Corps. Alex’s struggles back home are everyday occurrences in our society. This is a must see film as it relates to society, our armed forces, and the struggles of the oppressed.

Some of the festival's films touched on the subject of rights; basic human rights. Some were inspirational and most were educational. Next year’s SIGLFF will celebrate a milestone it will be their 20th anniversary.  

Photos:

1 - VIP guests, 2 - Zócalo table, 3 - Scott at the Equality Action Now table

4 - Sacramento Valley Veterans table

5 - Paris Pickard, 6 - Paris Pickard and Dawn Deason

7 - Charlie, Ray, Larry, Tina, Thom, Michael from SVV

8 to 12 - Q&A after showing