Jayson Bucy's Film Reviews

France 2008, 90 min

This highly romantic comedy-drama explores one man's insistent need to become a father and its toll on his relationships.

The French are so good at bringing drama to the screen; French style and wit permeate this wonderful tale of gay parenting. Pediatrician Manu yearns for a child of his own, but his partner Philippe will have nothing to do with it, content in his child-free life. But despite Philippe's objections, Manu attempts to adopt a child. In a country where same-sex civil unions are legal but gay marriage and adoption are not, the agency turns down Manu's request to adopt. When Philippe finds out that Manu acted behind his back, they separate. Unconcerned about anything but finding a woman to act as a surrogate and provide him with a child, Manu seeks the attention of Fina, an illegal Argentine, eventually marrying her for the benefit of each. As their life together begins to assume the domesticity of a traditional married couple, complications surrounding the prospect of having a child arise, causing Manu to rely on Philippe's assistance. This once comedic story turns decidedly dramatic as emotions surge and relationships are tested. (French with English subtitles)

USA 2009, 64 min

This documentary lunges into the pursuit of one man's search for justice concerning a vicious murder in a small town teeming with apathy.

One man's dream of becoming a performer in Las Vegas is abruptly brought to an end when he is attacked and brutally killed in his hometown of Yuma, Arizona. In this small town, the news of Amancio Corrales' body found floating in the Colorado River instigates a flurry of interest that soon fades. Area resident Michael Baughman, refusing to let this hate crime go unsolved, takes it upon himself to insure justice is served. The truth unfolds through the interviews with Amancio's family and friends, the recount of the investigation, and ultimately concludes with the staggering verdict of the accused murderer.

Philadelphia Premiere
USA 2008, 82 min
Director: Christina Clausen
Cast: Jean Michel Basquiat, Fab 5 Freddy,
Keith Haring, Bill T. Jones, Madonna, Yoko Ono,
Kenny Scharf, Junior Vasquez, Andy Warhol
Producer: Paolo Bruno
Cinematographer: John C. Kelleran
Editor: Silvia Giulietti
Print Source: Arthouse Films

Jump into the world of one of Pop Art's most influential artists with this new exhilarating documentary on Keith Haring's work and life.

Keith Haring's extensive magnitude of work, ranging from paintings to sculpture to murals can still be seen world-wide. His influence in the culmination of the 1980s New York art community remains an important piece of history. From his early days drawing with his father in his hometown of Kutztown, PA, through his education at the School for Visual Arts in New York City, to this involvement in the Pop Art scene, Haring was a revolutionary and generous individual. His work with children, the community and his connection with AIDS awareness still remains inspirational for many people. This passionate documentary reveals his significant impact through interviews with family and close friends, including a recounting from Kenny Scharf of Haring's last days dealing with HIV and AIDS. Rare archival footage of him speaking at galleries and his school projects illustrate his creativeness and dedication to his art. It demonstrates his enthusiasm for the world he lived in and his
affection for the people around him, and is the most profound documentary on Keith Haring's life and work yet!

Please visit The Keith Haring Foundation Website for more information.

Philadelphia Premiere
USA 2007, 76 min
Director: Daryl Wien
Cast: Richard Berkowitz, Larry Kramer,
Dr. Joseph Sonnabend, Gabriel Rotello,
Ardele Lister
Producers: David Oliver Cohen, Daryl Wein
Cinematographer: Alex Bergman
Editor: Daryl Wien
Print Source: Might and Main

Haunting, informative and emotional, this documentary on the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and the controversial persistence of activist Richard Berkowitz is essential in understanding our gay history.

The gay urban lifestyle that was raging in New York City during the late 1970s was one of personal exploration focused on sexual fantasy, and would soon lead to an epidemic causing fear, apprehension and controversy. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, would change the gay community and the medical field forever. Richard Berkowitz, an S&M hustler, along with Michael Callen, a singer-songwriter, struggled with the question of whether sexual freedom could still exist stating "Our lifestyle has created the present epidemic...We have remained silent because we have been unable or unwilling to accept responsibility for the role that our own excessiveness has played in our present health crisis." They then proceeded to detonate a movement towards the importance of safe sex and government involvement by publishing articles and prompting activist groups into speaking out. Sex Positive is an extensive look at these and other viewpoints of this outbreak from the perspective of the gay community, physicians, and the media. CNN footage of Dr. Joseph Sonnanbend, Richard Berkowitz and Michael Callen, along with interviews presenting their personal stories, drives this powerful documentary. Infused with medical findings and governmental progression from the first discovery of HIV to current day, Sex Positive is an indispensable examination of gay history.

France 2006, 95 min
Directors: Pascal Arnold, Jean-Marc Barr
Cast: Lizzie Brocheré, Arthur Dupont,
Guillaume Baché, Pierre Perrier, Nicholas Nollet
Screenwriter: Pascal Arnold
Producers: Pascal Arnold, Jean-Marc Barr
Cinematographers: Jean-Marc Barr,
Chris Keohane
Editor: Chantal Hymans
Print Source: Strand Releasing

This passionate French mystery is courageous, exquisite and packed with a cast of outstanding actors who bare all, emotionally and physically.

Told out of chronological order and through a series of stunning flashbacks, this mystery takes the audience through a devastating series of events surrounding the death of a member of a punk band. Brother and sister Pierre (Arthur Dupont) and Lucie (Lizzie Brocheré) have an extremely close relationship with their fellow band members, embracing incest, bisexuality, and sexual abandon. They spend their leisure time next to a lake sunbathing nude, swimming, and engaging in mostly playful exchanges. When Pierre disappears one night after a show, later to be found dead in a clearing by the side of the road, the group becomes distressed and begins to fall apart. With the police getting nowhere, Lucie takes on the investigation herself, using sex to manipulate her suspects into answering her questions. As Lucie's search for answers also fails, tensions run high between her and her friends. When the group is almost at the breaking point, news of her pregnancy mends their interdependent relationship. Soon, information on the truth behind Pierre's disappearance and murder is revealed in a surprise ending that raises more questions than answers. Based on actual events, this highly entertaining erotic drama concentrates on the youthful egotism and sexuality inherent in much of French cinema. (French with English subtitles)

Philadelphia Premiere
Italy 2007, 110 min
Director: Ferzan Ozpetek
Cast: Stefano Accorsi, Margherita Buy, Pierfrancesco Favino, Serra Yilmaz,
Ennio Fantastichini, Ambra Angiolini,
Luca Argentero, Filippo Timi,
Michelangelo Tommaso, Milena Vukotic,
Luigi Diberti, Lunetta Savino, Isabella Ferrari, Benedetta Gargari, Gabriele Paolino
Screenwriters: Ferzan Ozpetek, Gianni Romoli
Producers: Tilde Corsi, Gianni Romoli
Cinematographer: Gian Filippo Corticelli
Editor: Patrizio Marone
Print Source: Strand Releasing

From acclaimed gay filmmaker Ferzan Ozpetek (Steam) comes this powerful story of loss, despair and eventual recovery from hopelessness in times of immense turmoil.

A writer, Davide, and his partner, Lorenzo, have a very loving relationship, a beautiful home and a devoted group of friends. One day, while hosting a dinner party, Lorenzo faints, is rushed to the hospital with a brain hemorrhage and passes away. While Davide copes with the loss of Lorenzo, his friends' lives begin to fall apart. Angelica is left with two children when she learns that her husband, Antonio, is having an affair. Roberta struggles to be accepted despite her addiction to drugs. Roberto, Davide's former lover, tries to maintain his relationship with his domineering wife, Neval. Lorenzo's father, Vittorio, and mother, Minnie, have to come to terms with their son's lifestyle. It's not until a disheartening turn of events that they must put aside their own personal dramas and lend a hand to their heartbroken friend and son. Together they overcome insurmountable odds and learn essential life lessons. Filmed in Rome, this lushly tragic drama is filled with beautiful vistas, and the soundtrack helps to fully accentuate the character's emotions and moods. This is truly a story of the significance that caring friendships have when life is turned upside down. (Italian with English subtitles)

Website: www.saturnocontro.com