Hi, In keeping with our LGBT spirit, we are screening the cult film "Boys Don't Cry" this time. After we screened "The Laramie Project", here is another film based on a true story. Actually the release of this film in 1999 was concurrent with the murder of Matthew Shepard, that sparked additional public interest in this film, which performed moderately well at the North American box office.
Here's a movie that’s highly uncomfortable to watch, but yet quite rewarding. Right at the beginning you know how things are going to go down, no happy endings shall be found in this true story. Obviously, this is a story of ill-fated freedom (and ill-fated love/sex), for the protagonist was born a female yet chooses to live as a male with disastrous results. This is also a tale of the impending doom that arrives while blossoming into adulthood and feeling entirely suffocated while trapped in a small town existence, with just three local pastimes to occupy the mind viz. drink, smoke, and sleep out. In Falls City, Nebraska, USA, Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) was a newcomer with a future who had the small rural community enchanted. Women adored him and almost everyone who met this charismatic stranger was drawn to his charming innocence. But, Falls City's hottest date and truest friend had one secret: he wasn't the person people thought he was. Back home in Lincoln just seventy-five miles away, Brandon Teena was a different person caught up in a personal crisis that had haunted him his entire life. Like many young people, he made costly mistakes and when he inadvertently trespassed between his new love Lana (Chloë Sevigny) and her reckless friend John (Peter Sarsgaard), the mystery unraveled into violence. Director Kimberly Peirce presents a very matter-of-fact treatment of the story and resists the urge to put Brandon up on a pedestal. After all, Brandon isn’t exactly a law-abiding citizen, nor is he a gay rights crusader, but merely a selfish individual who deceives many people in the pursuit of living as a man. But since Brandon doesn’t consider himself a lesbian woman but a heterosexual man born in a woman’s body, that is how Brandon is presented by Pierce, who chooses also not to sensationalize matters. The film got its title after the song of the same name by The Cure, and a cover version of the song appears in the film. Even if you don't like violent or tragic movies, see this one, just for one solid reason, the superlative acting by the two female leads. Hilary Swank won her first Oscar for Best Actress in 2000, while Chloë Sevigny was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. One thing we guarantee after you see this film….you will be shaken up & it will be very hard to share your thoughts after. But there are many themes that this movie throws up. And we look forward to the sharing after the film. Do's: 1) Get your friends. 2) Dress sensibly to suit the taste of everyone, considering we may have newbies. 3) Please arrive on time, preferably earlier, so as to not disturb others while opening the door. 4) Please check the parking dates. Kanchan lane has P1\P2 parking. 5) During the informal discussion over coffee, feel free to share your feelings or ask questions related to the film. 6) You are requested to express your opinions decently & without getting into arguments. 7) Keep your cellphones in the silent mode & enjoy the movie. Don'ts: 1) Stand too long at the entrance door of Open Space or giggle & talk too loud. Remember it is in a residential building & zone and a holiday (Sun), hence please lets not inconvenience the neighborhood. Thanks. Sunday May 06, 2012, from 5.30 to 8 pm Venue : Open Space, B-301, Kanchanjunga building, Kanchan lane, off Law College road, Pune 411004 [Kanchan lane is the lane between Barista & Krishna Dining Hall on law college road. Kanchanjunga bldg is almost at the end of the lane ( 3rd last building) on your left.] See you at Open Space at 5.30 pm (The film will begin at 5.30 sharp). Team Prayatna
