Filmi Reasons and Flimsy Ones

September 27, 2007

Hi Khushies,

I would highly recommend that you see Harjant's film, "Milind Soman Made Me Gay" at the Asian Pacific American (APA) Film Festival, this Saturday, September 29th at 6.30 pm at the United States Navy Memorial.

Folks have previously suggested a couple of reasons for seeing this film:

1. Harjant, the filmmaker is South Asian, local and gay.
2. Show your support by going to see this film.

While going to see a film simply to "show support" may be a strong and sufficient enough reason for many of you - especially those of you who have a keen sense of political consciousness, social awareness and community-building spirit - I know there are those of you out there like me for whom the notion of doing something merely to 'show support' comes across as a flimsy and laughable reason at best, and a ridiculous one at worst.

Therefore I would like to offer you my own reasons for going to see the film. I saw the film when KhushDC sponsored / co-sponsored its screening last spring, because I had heard the buzz that it featured Khushies.

And boy, was I impressed! The documentary features Salman (thanks Salman for pointing out that the KhushDC Board needed to sponsor this film). It also features Daniel Phoenix Singh, who - as many of you know - was KhushDC's Vice President. Many of us know Dan both as a KhushDC achiever and as a warm and friendly person, so it's great to see him on film.

The film also features Ayush Gupta - another former KhushDC Vice-President and his partner. As KhushDC Board members, both Ayush and his partner did a lot for Khush. Among other things, they were instrumental in elevating the Chutney Saturday event into a well-choreographed dinner + drinks + dancing sequence. As you may recollect, Ayush was recently conferred an award at the Pride and Heritage Spring event for his contributions.

"Milind Soman Made Me Gay" is therefore the first ever film specifically about KhushDC folk, although that may not have been Harjant's goal.

When you see me - a current KhushDC Board member - heaping praise on a film that features former Board members, you may think of it as birds of a feather patting each other on the back! But for what it's worth, I formed my opinion of this film well before I became a bored member. Oops. Slip-up.

The film listing and venue details are at:
http://www.apafilm.org/2007/programs.php

Another highly-recommended film is "Bolinau 52", about refugees fleeing Vietnam in a boat, only to be attacked by pirates. This film is playing at 1.30 pm at the Rosslyn Spectrum.

Enjoy!
Ninny