Inside Out 2011: Weekend, Who Took the Bomp

Weekend
Writer/Dir: Andrew Haigh
Cast: Tom Cullen, Chris New
UK
I always look forward to the Centrepiece Gala selection at Inside Out as it's a place on the schedule that has an excellent track record bringing us fantastic films from around the world, such last year with Undertow / Contracorriente and 2008's Newcastle. This year we have Weekend from the UK and it's another fantastic film to add to the mix. The film follows the rather quiet and reserved Russell (Tom Cullen) and new hook up Glen (Chris New) as they go through the getting to know each other steps from awkward newness to amped up bravado to tender admissions. It's a beautiful look at many complicated layers of relationships that honestly and adeptly peels back those layers one by one. I loved how it was very verbally direct but emotionally subtly as it explored assumptions, opinions as well as the actual reality of the relationships created. One of the many strengths of the film is that it looked at the ideas, ideals and issues from not only a personal perspective of the individual characters but also as a society and world view of inward looking out and outward looking in. Another strength of the film is Russell & Glen themselves, who are well developed, complicated yet so human and accessible. Plus, they have great chemistry which is highlighted by the slow burn nature of the film which before you know it draws you completely in and makes you care intensely for the characters. Absolutely brilliant filmmaking and top notch performances from Tom Cullen and Chris New. I highly recommend checking Weekend out.

Weekend is the Centrepiece Gala selection this year and screens at Inside Out on Tuesday May 24, 2011 at 9:30PM



Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour
Dir: Kerthy Fix
Documentary featuring the band Le Tigre
USA

Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour follows the band Le Tigre during their 2004 This Island world tour and includes footage of their Hamburg, Tokyo, Copenhagen & Sydney shows as filmed by by their lighting director Carmine. Along with being a concert films it also features interviews with the band, behind the scenes footage and archival footage of other concert appearances throughout the years and on top of all that it's an awesome punk rock, feminist, lesbian, positive hell of a good time. Le Tigre is made up of Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and JD Samson who are impressive as hell both on stage and off. The concert footage is electric and the media interviews that range from enlightening & engaging to ones where it's obvious the interviewers have done little research into the band but the audience get treated to their reaction along with more hilarious behind the scenes footage. We also get general reactionaryness to more awkward interviews and encounters, some of which is entertaining and at other times disheartening as it shows the battle for feminism and equality is still a battle being fought. I also loved the direct to camera interviews where they discussed their individual and collective interest in and connection to music, politics, feminism, and each other including the importance to continuing to acknowledge speak up and out of feminism. I thought it was sad and shocking that they still dealt with sexism and prejudice along with way, and it was great to hear their honest reactions and responses to it along the way. Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and JD Samson are completely awesome, awe-inspiring and positive to boot. I loved every single moment of this film.

Who Took the Bomp? Le Tigre on Tour screens at Inside Out on Friday May 27, 2011 at 10:00PM

The Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival 2011 runs from May 19-29, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.