OUTscene: SIFF, the First 15 days

By M.K. Scott
OUTscene

Celebrating my 4th year covering the Seattle International Film Festival marked my debut of change from print to back to my first love of TV and on-location interviews. With the help of Nikki Lee Taylor and crew; Stewart, Ryan and Chad it has been 2 weeks of new beginnings. Starting with our first red carpet opening where Nikki chatted with the stars of 'The Extra man' (Paul Dano and Alicia Goranson). Nikki also interviewed the director of 'Beautiful Darling' and Eric Andrews-Katz has an interview coming up with Jamie Bernstein (Leonard's Daughter). There were some great films and some films that made no sense to films that left you hanging. The following is list of the Best, OK, and Bad during first 15 days and a preview of the Final week:

BEST-Top 10
The Extra Man-(USA)
Big stars in a film based from a famous novel with a Great Gatsby feel to it and the Trannie sub-plot was a bonus!

The String (France)
Sexy Arabs with lots of nudity and graphic sex with a Telenovela style!

Brotherhood (Denmark)
The Hate masked the true feelings of 2 neo Nazi recruits that eventually choose Love over Hate!

Undertow (Peru)
Starts off with a married man obsessed with his unborn child and his secret lover, but as he is fearful of being discovered his lover drowns and he continues the relationship openly with his spirit. That is until his body is discovered in the undertow!

Head on (Australia)
Think of 'Saturday Night Fever'. What if Tony was not Italian, but Greek. Not in Brooklyn, but Melbourne. Instead of Dancing, he escapes by getting 'Head' by ramdon strangers and snorting Coke. Get it? He vows to Live on while still Dancing' (I mean getting and receiving 'head'). Several Nude scenes!

Mediterranean Food (Spain)
A sexy Diva wants to be a chef in Spain, so she takes her sexy mentor to bed, marries her childhood sweetheart and later makes her husband and lover have sexual relations with her calling the shots at work and in bed. The Husband and Lover eventually like being together.

Beautiful Darling-(USA)
Tragic life of Candy Darling who lived to be a star and die young like her idols. The truly first Trans celeb.

Henry of Navarre-(France)
A Hot King who has lots of sex, a treat for Tudors fans.

Skateland (USA)
Took me back to the early 80's of when roller skating was king, and fashions were cutting edge.

The French Kissers (France)
Very funny teen romp that was truly wanting to capture the 'American Pie'


OK-Top 6
Loose Cannons (Italy)
Very Funny family with lots of secrets. While one member stays in the closet, the other comes out while the Matriarch has a secret of her own.

Last Campaign of Booth Gardner (USA)

The film was great and was an awesome tribute. The issue of the Right to die, I have no strong opinion on.

Every Day (USA)

Great Stars (Helen Hunt, Liev Schriber), great story, but it was like watching a TV movie or an episode of 'Brothers and Sisters'. Big mistake was the publicist was not promoting to the gays. The Cute teen son is gay and kisses guys, and goes to gay clubs. The Husbands co-worker is gay. By not knowing this film was Gay I showed this to my Mother and she clearly wasn't ready to actually see it. (I have been OUT for decades) a little warning would have been nice.

Holy Rollers (USA)

A cute Jewish boy with curly locks gets involved with selling Ecstasy to his friends, there was so much more he could have done. This being a true story, any advancement would have been impossible.

Willian S Burroughs: (USA)

Loved the footage and got me ready for Howl, but I got bored midway.

Some Days are better than others: (USA)

Set in Portland with some interesting characters, but I now know why I continue to leave Portland behind; BORING!

Bad:
I killed my Mother-(French Canada)
Beautiful people and comical but what is with all the YELLING?

All that I love (Poland)

Homo-erotic but it doesn't go that route. If you like Punk, you might like it!

My year without Sex (Australia)

Got bored and depressed after about 5 mins

Leo's Room (Uruguay)

Started off strong, but Leo is too shy to come out of the closet so he delves into the life of his childhood girlfriend. WTF?

Those I regret missing:
3some-(Spain)

Just like Mediterranean Food, but with young Art students. Too Late on a week night forced me to miss this.

From Beginning to End (Brazil)

Ever fantasized about hooking up your step-brother? (I know I did!) I ended up waiting for the Latino Directv guy all day instead!

How sex sold Hollywood (USA)

Any Doc about old Hollywood gets my vote! I however had a chance to attend the Fiddler on the roof's opening night. Tough choice!

Meet Monica Velour (USA)

Would love to seen Kim Cantrell as trailer trash, but found out about this gem after the fact. Ryan and Adrian LOVED it! I actually was covering the Forbidden Fashion show at the same time!

What's next?

Of Course, they are saving the Best for last. Jesse Archer and Casper Andreas will be here for the Seattle premiere of their latest, Violet Tendencies. Also coming is the Glee meets Twilight, I kissed a Vampire, James Franco in Howl and the controversial, Ticked off Trannies.

Plus coverage of the closing night film of the star studded, Get Low. I just heard that Nikki and her sidekick, Zoe have big wrap up special also coming.

Stay Tuned for more SIFF coverage.