Queer Gnosis

by Troy Williams

So much going on!  I spent a week hanging out at the Sundance Film Festival.  (thanks KRCL for the media pass).  I went to the Queer Lounge (which I helped organize it’s first year) but I am so very much over it.  They had this "green" photo-booth where you take your picture with a "global warming" movie slate.  It’s a hip thing to do I guess to have an eco-message.  But then I noticed that upstairs from the eco-photos they were handing out bottled water from Iceland.  Go figure.  Classic greenwashing.  You create the appearance that you  are eco-conscious but then your actions tell quite another story.  Ah well, at least the queers are trying — right?  Why be so cynical?  You know, it’s always the coolest thing that Utah as one of the nation’s premiere film festivals.  But after attending for years I am reminded again and again, stick to the documentaries!  Narratives are sooooo hit or miss.  I saw Choke – the long awaited adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s book.  I loved the book – but sadly, thought the movie was average.  Though Angelica Huston is magnificent.  There was just a certain edge that was missing.  I haven’t quite put my finger on it yet. 

I did however have the opportunity to interview the filmmakers behind the fantastic film, In Prison My Whole Life, which documents the life, trial and conviction of Mumia Abu Jamal.  Incredible.  The story is an indictment on our criminal justice system and a harsh look at race relations in the US.  And the film reminded me why Americans are reluctant to protest the actions of our government.  If you piss off the wrong people you can get yourself killed – or framed for a murder you didn’t commit.  Listen to my interview here.  And look for the movie to (hopefully) be bought and released soon!

I also want to thank the boys over at Nightcharm.  They featured my short film, Mormon Erotica on their site.  I made that little student film back in 2000 as I was dealing with my nascent sexuality.  The movie was roughly constructed and was more of an essay on my emerging psycho-sexual world-view.  I think when I came out I had to reclaim my sexuality from the religion of my birth.  Mormon Erotica was my iconoclast effort at sexualizing and satirizing sacred images so that they would no longer have such a dramatic hold over my psyche.  I’m glad that people still enjoy the piece (regardless of the amateur nature of the production).

Speaking of production – woo-hoo! I start shooting my new film this week.  The working title is called Eco-genesis.  The bulk of the film will be shot over the summer, but we are working on some initial winter shots this weekend.  I’ve cast two young (and very handsome) actors – Justin and Fernando (thanks Dave Newkirk for taking the pics).  Eco-genesis will be a short art film that will reflect my thinking on issues of extinction, sexuality and oneness.  I see the project as a meditation on our relationship with earth, god and each other.  I’m wondering if the human population can shift our consciousness away from the destructive path we are on.  The film is a narrative format – what I’ve been calling “an eco-queer love story”.  I’ll keep you all posted on its development. 

Lots going on this week. On RadioActive, I am interviewing Zen Master Diane Hamilton on an Integral approach for women’s spirituality. It’s a good life I have.  I’m also deep into reading Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma and David Levy’s, Love + Sex with Robots.  My dreams have been odd, but my diet sure has improved.  No red meat or dairy.  I’m feeling good.