Fairy Tales

for The New West

“The goal of marriage is not happiness, it is obedience.”

The first film screening of Cure for Love premiered at the 10th Annual Fairy Tales International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. It could just as easily have been titled Living in Denial.

The documentary film tells the story of a controversial evangelical movement that claims to convert gays and lesbians into heterosexuals. These ex-gay ministries, cringingly named Exodus, promise “freedom” from homosexuality. It is their goal to “neutralize” same-sex attraction, which they see as a disorder.

Calgary filmmaker Christina Willings presents a fascinating foray into the world of gay Christians. As with any good documentary, the audience is given the opportunity to observe both sides of the story. On one hand, the desire to fit in, to be “normal,” or at least to conform to a perception of what normal is; on the other, what happens when that doesn’t work out.

The points of view are heartfelt, astonishing, funny and sad. Some of the characters are heart-breaking; all are endearing and enthralling.

The film documents the internal battle between conservative Christianity and homosexuality, two hot-button topics on which one—gay or straight—is likely to have an opinion. This is exactly what Festival and Programming Director Matt Salton is hoping for.

The film is part of the Festival’s Common Ground Community Bridge Building Screening Series, which focuses on one of three themes: spirituality; family; and health. Both Salton and Festival organizers are hoping to involve a broader audience in dialogue

Fairy Tales is the only annual gay and lesbian film festival in Alberta, and enjoys a stable and loyal core audience, but Salton points out that festival attendance has hit a plateau over the last four years.

Fairy Tales started in 1998 as a two-day festival and has grown ever since. In its seventh year, it expanded to seven days, so the Festival promoters thought it only appropriate in its tenth year to shoot for a ten day Festival.

“This year is a litmus test to see if Calgary can support a ten-day Gay & Lesbian Film Festival,” says Salton.

Salton often receives comments from heterosexuals such as “sounds interesting, but it’s not really for me, is it.” This is a common misconception, and one the Festival is trying to address:

“It is a positive space to educate and expose the broader audience,” says Salton, adding that he hopes that more people are going to start seeing it as such.

When people ask him what film they should go and see, he always asks them what film genre they like. Indeed, a quick glance through the extensive program reveals a bevy of choice, depending on one’s own interests and predilections.

This year’s Festival is screening 63 films, 31 of which are Canadian-made. Besides promoting diversity and acceptance, and creating an atmosphere of respect and tolerance, the Festival also supports local, national and international filmmakers.

If you still don’t know where to start, Salton suggests screening Finn’s Girl, a Canadian feature film which plays on Tuesday, June 3. Part thriller, part family drama, this well-acted, well-written story explores the complexity of two women connecting though the fragile veil of loss.

Salton also recommends the closing gala film, The Curiosity of Chance, on Thursday, June 5th. Funny and cute, this award-winning film depicts a high school world where straight teens are ostracized and gay is the norm.

If nothing else, the Festival provides audiences tired of weak plots and Indiana Jones summer blockbusters the opportunity to see some eyebrow-raising, interesting, scandalous, explicit, voracious, adventurous independent films.