Ending a fantastic day

Well, I just got home from a great afternoon/evening of film watching at the Cleveland International Film Festival. I saw three great films tonight—an animated French film called La Reine soleil or Princess of the Sun, an American documentary called Ask Not and a Danish drama called Dansen or Dancers. I really enjoyed all three films.

Princess of the Sun is about young Egyptian princess who runs away from home, meets her future husband Tut, and overcomes many obstacles to save Egypt from its enemies. There were many children in the audience and, although the film is in French with English subtitles, it seemed like the kids were so enthralled by what was on the screen that they didn’t really mind that they couldn’t understand what was said. Overall, Princess of the Sun is a great children’s film. I have a soft spot for animated children’s films (huge Disney fan here!) so this film was a great kick-off to my night.

Ask Not is a film that will stay with me for a while. The documentary discusses how the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, originally instituted under the Clinton Administration as a compromise to end discrimination against LGBT servicemen and women, actually hurts, rather than helps, the people it is suppose to protect. The policy forces LGBT people in the military to choose between two options: lead double lives or be discharged from the military. This documentary follows a few soldiers and ex-soldiers as they tell how the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy affected them.

After the film, there was a Film Forum with three panelists, including the director Johnny Symons. Symons commented that “having this policy [Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell] in place means people have to lie” about who they truly are. He went on to say that “The United States has the reputation of having one of the most integrated workplace environments…except in the military.” Many, many, MANY countries, including England, have no ban against homosexuals enlisting in their militaries; yet the US, currently facing low enlistment numbers, would rather lower its standards, such as I.Q., than allow very qualified homosexuals to serve. In fact, one gay man that was featured in the documentary is fluent in five languages, including Arabic, and was still discharged solely due to his sexuality.

During the Film Forum, moderator Tim Downing, board member of Human Rights Campaign and the CIFF, commented that President Obama has asked for a study to be conducted of all NATO allies where no ban exists against LGBT in the military. With the results of the study, Obama will present his case to Congress about lifting the ban. According to Downing, this will be voted on after the 2010 elections. After I have seen Symons’ masterful and eye-opening documentary, I will definitely pay attention to how this story continues.

My last film for the night, Dancers, was sooo good. It’s about a dance instructor, Annika, who meets a man with a very shady past. The film was so intriguing and suspenseful, and the acting was suburb! It was fascinating to see how the order and structure of the dance floor completely contrasted Annika’s personal life. Very artfully done.

Overall, what a great night! I was very excited to attend the Ask Not Film Forum. It was an honor to hear the director himself talk about his film and an issue he obviously cares a lot about.

A side note: In just four days, the CIFF has already reach $14,000 in contributions, which is almost half of its $33,000 goal! Also, attendance numbers have set new records! 4 days! Completely amazing!

I’m looking forward to heading back down to the CIFF tomorrow night. I’m having trouble deciding what I want to see…WAY too many great options!