Experimental Works for Educational Environments: Queers on the Verge

This compilation brings together challenging and innovative film and video works that explore lesbian/gay/bi/trans culture by both Queer pioneers and emerging makers. It covers a broad range of subject matter including gender and sexual identity, social dynamics, coming out, the impact of AIDS, and Queer youth culture.

“Queers on the Verge... is an excellent compilation of short subjects featuring contemporary gay, lesbian, and transgender themes. This DVD is highly recommended and will be a great catalyst for discussion in high school and colleges, not just to gay audiences. It should be accessible in all collections.”
-Debra Mandel, Educational Media Reviews Online

FILMS
1) Leftovers by Janine Fung (1994 / 16mm / 8 min.) The filmmaker’s wild narration about misunderstandings in her traditional  Chinese family plays over images of her mother carving a Thanksgiving turkey.

2) Interviews with My Next Girlfriend by Cassandra Nicolaou (2001 / 35mm / 13 min.) The fight to win the title of next girlfriend is the subject of this hilarious short, in which nine women are questioned by an unknown interviewer to see if they measure up.

3) Listen by Susan Justin (2004 / video / 3 min.) A daughter’s “coming out” to her mother falls on deaf ears. Sometimes people just don’t want to listen.

4) My Powder Blue World by Adam Brown (2004 / 16mm + video / 5 min.)  A man recalls his childhood fantasy of attending school dressed like a girl. His story is a whimsical challenge to the institutions that try to regulate the expression of gender and self. Written and performed by David Bateman.

5) Thick Lips Thin Lips by Paul Lee (1994 / 16mm / 6 min.)  A musical experimental film about racist and homophobic violence.

6) Christian Porn by Roy Mitchell (2000 / Super 8 / 6 min.)  When the Saskatchewan Opposition party whipped Regina into a frenzy over the spending of tax dollars on screening gay porn, all hell broke lose.  To overcome the uproar and win the hearts of the Christians, in steps BROTHER LOVE.

7) Since Then by Robert Kennedy (2001 / 16mm / 3 min.) After the love has gone, the mundane routines of everyday become the hope for a brighter tomorrow.

8) My Life in 5 Minutes by Allyson Mitchell (2000 / video / 7 min.)  This autobiopic  tells a life story with a bittersweet song, animation and family snaps.

9) Between You and Me by Ken Anderlini * (1994 / 16mm / 10 min.)  An examination of the internalization of homophobia and the fatalism present in mainstream representations of the AIDS pandemic.  *Between You and Me provided by Moving Images Distribution