Movies About Us

[Will]

Last night I saw a new Japanese film called TABOO. I don't know if it's out in the States yet, but when it comes to a theater near you, rush to see it. It takes place in 19th-century Japan and is about what happens when a too-beautiful 18-year-old joins a band of Samurai. As it's based on two Japanese novels, and as there seems to be no homophobia in the script, I can only assume that male/male love was an accepted reality in the Japanese military a hundred years ago. What's so great about it is the fact that the story is actually driven by a genuinely gay situation. In other words, it could not be "translated" into a story with straight characters.

 

There is also a new French movie with a very, very gay theme coming out next week. In French it's called PRESQUE TOUT (ALMOST EVERYTHING) and it looks like a French version of that sweet British film of a few years ago, starring those grotty adolescent boys. In this case, judging from the previews, the casting director chose his protagonists from much higher up on the hormone chain.

[Guest Quinte]

Lets have any more info you may have on the Taboo movie.

 

The British movie you mentioned is called "Beautiful Thing" It was a great movie! grotty teenagers and all. It also paid tribute to underrated Mama Cass of the Papas & Mamas group.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

Q

[Will]

Walking down the street to the cybercafe just now, I noticed from a billboard that I had the wrong title for that French movie that's a sort of Gallic parallel to "Beautiful Thing." It's called PRESQUE RIEN, not "Presque Tout." There's a big difference: PRESQUE RIEN means "Almost Nothing." The difference is all!