kenyon-4

(I think I got the number right - it was something close.) An important and emotional documentary about the life and death of Gwen Araujo - a transgender teen - and the subsequent trials of her killers. Her mother has a large role (rightly so), and teaches others as she learns about what being transgender means and the issues surrounding this often tortuous state. She admits her own short-comings, too, which is refreshing. The people on trial are the usual assortment of despicable types - but the film is more about society's view of the value of the life of a person they may not understand. There is a great comparison to a similar case in a nearby jurisdiction - and the very different reaction of that community. It's amazing the ignorant things people will say on camera! The filmmaker also added an interesting layer by quizzing many key people involved, as well as people on the street, with "what gender are you?" and then "how do you know?" and gets some surprising, thought-provoking answers. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this surprising film, which I saw at the SF Frameline festival this past weekend. Jeffrey is a gay architect who is enamored with a guy who won't spend the night or otherwise deepen their relationship. When he sees this guy letting himself into an apartment building (with another guy on his arm) and then sees an sign saying there's another apartment available, he lets the eager landlady show it to him. What starts out as clearly a bad idea turns into a nightmare. There's fun along the way, but it isn't really tongue-in-cheek. A good homage to lots of thrillers - yet it has its own plot twists. A good time was had by all. Recommended.

Kenyon