Author: Fara

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Film screening
A classic Cuban film by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea

In this movie about a filmmaker named Oscar, Cuban director Alea tackles the problems men have in conceding authority and autonomy to women in Cuba. Oscar is researching a documentary on male attitudes and while interviewing several subjects, he learns that a husband feels he must have a higher salary than his wife, and while the bee may flit from flower to flower, the flower cannot go from bee to bee. As the extent and shape of male chauvinism begins to emerge in his research, the married Oscar falls in love with an independent-minded woman who is working on the docks where they are filming. At this point, male biases are brought home to his doorstep—will he be honest and leave his wife for the woman he now loves? If not, can he really make a documentary on machismo if his vision is hampered by his own biases? 1983, Spanish with English subtitles.

The second feature from Portland filmmaker Nick Peterson (Yellow), Field Guide to November Days was made entirely with bikes instead of any motorized transport. Everyone working on the film biked to set and everything (including furniture) was pulled by bike (except for one trip to the coast!).

The film focuses on Matt and Natalie, recently separated, who resume their relationship after a chance meeting. However, they soon fall back into old destructive patterns, and they separate once again. To cope with the loss, Natalie isolates herself and experiments with a radically different place in society. Matt finds solace in his friendship with Christian, who is gay. Confused by their companionship, he begins to question his own sexual identity.