tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149176032024-02-24T11:10:38.892-08:00Butch.orgPersonal blog of Jenni Olson since 1995 + conceptual worldwide safe space dedicated to butches everywhere.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-43551261275279492722019-02-21T22:43:00.003-08:002019-02-21T22:43:46.766-08:0017 Reasons on The L Word<div class="post-header" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.541176); font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">
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<i>So many sites and publications I've written for over the years have disappeared. One of the greats was Ilene Chaiken's short-lived OurChart.com site that capitalized on the massive popularity of "<a href="https://www.sho.com/the-l-word" target="_blank">The L Word</a>" in the mid 2000s and turned Alice's legendary "chart" into a super fun central location for all things lesbian. As a columnist for OurChart I had the incredible pleasure of writing the following post to coincide with the airing of the 2007 season finale (yes, back when people watched TV shows in real-time). It's a brief history of the 17 Reasons sign, which functions as a central prop in that episode, including the backstory about how it ended up on show. When the finale aired, the OurChart site actually crashed as droves of fans logged on — overwhelming the servers at the conclusion of the show. With the <a href="https://deadline.com/2019/01/the-l-word-sequel-showtime-1202546479/" target="_blank">L Word sequel officially happening in 2019</a> it seems like a nice moment to indulge in some L Word nostalgia.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">March 25, 2007</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">17 Reasons Because<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">by Jenni Olson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">NEWSFLASH! That wonderfully enigmatic fictional structure that helps Bette win Jodie’s heart actually exists. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGePbKqPKUB7qWM9IVUOckFOe4hDFpUbSNIfLyEgpZ1efy7apAEQ3gukKRrR9Z1E9BhJ-PX1bwuGGiBGm6hxN2lPiYeL2IRBoiOsk5eUE7_a2yagg_RGzC2r8_Tloz7pC1xUS/s1600/17-REASONS_BIG.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGePbKqPKUB7qWM9IVUOckFOe4hDFpUbSNIfLyEgpZ1efy7apAEQ3gukKRrR9Z1E9BhJ-PX1bwuGGiBGm6hxN2lPiYeL2IRBoiOsk5eUE7_a2yagg_RGzC2r8_Tloz7pC1xUS/s640/17-REASONS_BIG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The legendary 17 Reasons sign was one of the most treasured landmarks of San Francisco’s Mission District until it was surreptitiously torn down in May 2002 and replaced by a thirty-three foot square illegal billboard (which continues to be leased by San Francisco outdoor signage company Foster Media Inc.) The “Why” part of the original sign had been taken down years prior, and currently resides in a nearby design studio on Shotwell Street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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An Architectural Touchstone<o:p></o:p></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Like many San Franciscans, I fell in love with the 17 Reasons sign the first time I saw it – monumental and enigmatic, perched high atop the Thrift Town at 17<sup>th</sup>Street and Mission this nostalgic beacon had the charismatic appeal and architectural grandeur of Great Art. And the whimsical joy of poetry! It’s meaning was so unclear that it lent itself to philosophical, even spiritual interpretation. It was a true icon (or as I said to the <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>in 2003, during the time when there seemed to be some hope of saving the sign: </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">"It has always been inspirational to me as an artist. It's an architectural touchstone.")</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In 1997, when I made my first urban landscape film, <i>Blue Diary </i>(now available as an extra on <i><a href="http://joyoflifemovie.weebly.com/" target="_blank">The Joy of Life</a> </i>DVD – pop it in your Netflix queue today) the 17 Reasons sign was one of the first locations we shot. It was so beautiful in the early morning light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Erected in 1935, the 17 Reasons Why sign was a terrific Depression era commercial advertising structure, which originally sported neon tubing and stood as a neighborhood landmark promoting the Redlicks Furniture Store (check out this <a href="http://www.google.com/maps?q=2101+Mission+St,+San+Francisco,+CA+94110&ie=UTF8&z=18&ll=37.763383,-122.419496&spn=0.002252,0.00508&t=k&om=1&iwloc=addr" target="_blank">Google map link</a> for </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">2101 Mission Street and you can see the billboard atop the building).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>1,089 square-foot spectacular</b></span><b><span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Local film archivist Stephen Parr looked out his <a href="https://www.oddballfilms.com/" target="_blank">Oddball Film + Video</a> office window one fine morning in May 2002 to see the sign being cut apart and hauled away. Parr went all the way to a Benicia salvage yard to rescue the pieces and bring them back to the neighborhood in hopes of somehow restoring the icon to its rightful home. Neighborhood activists then unsuccessfully approached the San Francisco Board of Appeals in an attempt to force the building’s owners to restore the sign (and remove the billboard which was erected less than a year after the passage of Proposition G, a measure banning all new general advertising in the city). Alas, their efforts failed and the billboard continues to blight the intersection (or as the Foster Media Inc. website proudly proclaims: “</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">This 1,089 square-foot spectacular can be seen by heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic on Mission Street, travelers heading east on Seventeenth Street and residents going through the Castro District.”)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I stopped by Parr’s office (home of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sanfranciscomediaarchive/" target="_blank">The San Francisco Media Archive</a> and <a href="https://www.oddballfilms.com/" target="_blank">Oddball Film & Video</a>) to photograph the sign last week. The word REASONS takes up the entire wall of one room. The twenty-one-foot high 17 had to be cut into pieces for transport and is now nestled between the shelving units that hold Parr’s vast holdings of archival film prints (which also includes the Jenni Olson LGBT Film Archive). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Parr expresses little hope that the sign will ever be restored to its original home. “I’m still trying to find a home for the 17 — preferably indoors,” says Parr. “My ultimate goal is for it to be all together in one place, here in the Bay Area. Like the lobby of a building or some large public space.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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How did it end up on The L Word?<o:p></o:p></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The other story behind the story: OurChart’s Beth Callaghan (photographer and erstwhile inner-city archeologist) has been documenting San Francisco’s historic urban advertising for years – from the faded, painted ads that once covered the exteriors of Tenderloin hotels to the understated Lipton Tea and MJB Coffee promotions that once graced the windows of every corner store in town. When L Word creator Ilene Chaiken needed a piece of vintage sign art for her season finale plot device she turned to the expert, and Callaghan turned her on to the long-lost 17 Reasons sign. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: small;">Okay, if you've read this far let me just point you to the <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0941700/?ref_=ttep_ep12" target="_blank">IMDB.com page for this </a></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0941700/?ref_=ttep_ep12" target="_blank">episode</a> but also, this wild <a href="https://www.autostraddle.com/the-l-word-season-four-episode-12-long-time-coming/" target="_blank">Autostraddle recap by Riese</a>.</span></i></div>
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Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-29048183271217044042019-01-26T19:03:00.001-08:002019-01-26T19:03:12.742-08:00Top LGBT Film History Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In case you're ever looking to find the <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/ideas/amzn1.account.AFLA4RQJDKRD7ROC5VJ5IFZMJACA/1QGVD22HEPOL8" target="_blank">best LGBT film history books</a>... Look no further than this handy Amazon List I just compiled as an accompaniment to my forthcoming essay in the <i>Oxford Handbook of Queer Cinema</i>.<br />
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Start with classics like: Vito Russo's <i>The Celluloid Closet</i> (Harper & Row; Revised edition: 1987); <i>Now You See It</i> (Routledge; Second Edition: 2002) by Richard Dyer; <i>Images in the Dark</i> (Plume; 1996) edited by Raymond Murray; <i>The Lavender Screen</i> (Citadel; Revised Edition: 2001) by Boze Hadleigh. And carry on with exciting new volumes like: <i>Sisters in the Life: A History of Out African American Lesbian Media Making</i> (Duke University; 2018) edited by Yvonne Welbon and Alexandra Juhasz.<br />
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Okay, actually, I could mention one more: my Lambda Award nominated, <i>The Queer Movie Poster Book</i> (Chronicle Books; 2005).<br />
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Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-46403785371773179102018-03-28T20:42:00.001-07:002018-03-28T20:52:42.358-07:00I'm a MacDowell Colony Fellow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: normal;">I’m thrilled to share the news that I have been selected as a 2018 <a href="http://www.macdowellcolony.org/" target="_blank">MacDowell Colony</a> Fellow. I’ll be following in the footsteps of such legendary MacDowell fellows as — Oh, you know, people like James Baldwin, Alice Walker, Aaron Copland, etc. Wish me luck and inspiration for the summer and hopefully I will emerge with the script for my next film, <a href="http://quietworldmovie.weebly.com/about.html" target="_blank"><i>The Quiet World</i></a> — the third in my trilogy of 16mm essay films. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It may take awhile for me to complete my next significant cultural contribution to the world. In the meantime, I remain (grudgingly and erratically) reachable via: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/JenniOlsonSF" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniolsonsf" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenniolsonsf/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniolsonsf/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, etc. and WAY too many other platforms too numerable to list. Remember </span><a href="https://myspace.com/jenniolsonsf" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">MySpace</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">?! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the sake of interim self-promotion here's a little snapshot of some things I've done thru the ages — for your viewing and reading pleasure.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TO READ:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/656405.Ultimate_Guide_to_Lesbian_Gay_Film_and_Video" target="_blank">The Ultimate Guide to Lesbian & Gay Film and Video</a> (1995, Serpent's Tail)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1435422.The_Queer_Movie_Poster_Book" target="_blank">The Queer Movie Poster Book</a> (2005, Chronicle Books)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TO WATCH:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="465" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/108733763?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="620"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/108733763">The Joy of Life</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/jenniolsonsf">Jenni Olson</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/klcAJNkmlpw?rel=0" width="620"></iframe></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="419" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/102430229?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="620"></iframe> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/102430229">MeepMeep!</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/jenniolsonsf">Jenni Olson</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="419" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/127682934?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="620"></iframe> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/127682934">Sometimes</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/jenniolsonsf">Jenni Olson</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span>Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-69478176983791744692016-09-14T15:26:00.000-07:002018-03-28T21:14:10.895-07:00Discover THE ROYAL ROAD
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A cinematic essay in defense of remembering. Click to watch <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/theroyalroad">The Royal Road</a> now available on digital worldwide.
Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-73565770811071426352016-05-25T10:04:00.000-07:002016-05-25T10:04:03.284-07:00BUTCH – Photography by Meg Allen at Glama-Rama Salon & Gallery <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4uRCKEdtXSJezmH1597nPzZcRmhyphenhyphen0BvUI9czUWHnvggPoZ9JlG-pxeU8uXowpzR09lxzwGzzOLZEsl2qkxDvMcGgRvnUIZXZLJN419hR8wyGXA3CW690GIDUCeqlUyvt90U4/s1600/butchhomepageimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4uRCKEdtXSJezmH1597nPzZcRmhyphenhyphen0BvUI9czUWHnvggPoZ9JlG-pxeU8uXowpzR09lxzwGzzOLZEsl2qkxDvMcGgRvnUIZXZLJN419hR8wyGXA3CW690GIDUCeqlUyvt90U4/s400/butchhomepageimage.jpg" /></a></div>
Stop the presses — Public Service Announcement. Do not miss this show: BUTCH – Photography by Meg Allen is on view at <a href="http://glamarama.com/art-shows">Glama-Rama Salon & Gallery</a> in San Francisco (304 Valencia St. near the corner of 14th St.) now thru July 3rd. Here's the description from the website:
<blockquote>Glama-Rama Salon & Gallery is excited to feature the photography of Meg Allen and her ongoing photography project, BUTCH. BUTCH is an environmental portraiture project and exploration of female masculinity, identity and the butch aesthetic in the San Francisco Bay Area from 2012-2016. Recently featured online on Huffington Post and Buzzfeed, we’re proud to present the project in it’s largest, most prolific public showing to date. Allen’s show run coincides with the San Francisco LGBT Pride celebrations and should be on everyone’s list of queer things to do and see in late June in San Francisco. The show runs from May 17th thru July 3rd and the Opening Reception on Sat. May 21st, from 7:30-10pm will feature drinks, snacks and is a FREE EVENT.
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From the photographer: “My inspiration to document the variety of Butches that existed around me began when I started to hear many lesbians saying the butch aesthetic was disappearing. I knew that they weren’t, but that they’ve never been adamant about being seen either. I also wanted to explore what exactly that aesthetic was in this part of the world in recent years.”
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Bio: Meg Allen is a photographer, adventurer and amateur philosopher. At the moment, she is freelancing in all aspects of photography and image making to fund her art habit. She is finishing her first major body of work called “BUTCH” for book release by 2016. She loves a good story and travels whenever the opportunity presents itself. She prefers freedom over stability and quality over quantity. She currently resides in Oakland, California.</blockquote>
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If you're in San Francisco the show is a must-see. You can also see a huge array of Meg's photos here at her <a href="
http://megallenstudio.com/butch/">website</a>.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-28394481809435714982015-07-16T12:16:00.001-07:002015-07-16T12:16:19.323-07:00The Butch is Back: Jack Halberstam on Bullybloggers
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBSN-Tm8cpnAuEwW8Zm1Bd1p3XE-kQZ1mLbUImB_mUoQtaXz75faPv2RtONih02zxoJVeGVGj_9Mu3JiU7y_7BEyA_R-AIXMi2QlKZor-MVtnhMHs_AtG8Owjx71JY75Yywza/s1600/lea-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBSN-Tm8cpnAuEwW8Zm1Bd1p3XE-kQZ1mLbUImB_mUoQtaXz75faPv2RtONih02zxoJVeGVGj_9Mu3JiU7y_7BEyA_R-AIXMi2QlKZor-MVtnhMHs_AtG8Owjx71JY75Yywza/s400/lea-5.jpg" /></a></div>
Check out <b>Jack Halberstam</b>'s terrific new post on Bullybloggers: <a href="https://bullybloggers.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/from-sister-george-to-lonesome-george-or-is-the-butch-back/">From Sister George to Lonesome George? Or, Is The Butch Back?</a>
Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-63594514150958015052015-05-25T11:11:00.001-07:002018-03-28T20:59:59.173-07:00WATCH: Queens at Heart — Amazing 1967 Short Documentary<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/128697588?color=ff9933&byline=0&portrait=0" width="560" height="374" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
The vintage short <a href="https://vimeo.com/ondemand/queensatheart">Queens at Heart</a> is newly available via the Vimeo On Demand platform. This 90-second clip gives an amazing glimpse at a courageous trans woman two years before Stonewall! Watch Simone explain the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. And then rent or download the full 22-minute short — it's available worldwide. I unearthed the 35mm print of this lost queer film more than a decade ago. As an archivist it is truly the most amazing discovery I've ever made and is an absolute must-see. I donated the actual film print to the Outfest/UCLA Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation but I'm thrilled to be able to make the film available here on digital so everyone can see it. Enjoy!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3h_XqFCfux48HbiphK79i0vymIqJSUw6mzSxNi38wHtHamrwa6NyOiDfoYUszcdzaKwNipcbVsH4wE-Qh7Sa_c6ViBxBUnkrwq5HomoOIfEeG7cWwgfRs7b7wR0T1VxbRTP2/s1600/QAH+square.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3h_XqFCfux48HbiphK79i0vymIqJSUw6mzSxNi38wHtHamrwa6NyOiDfoYUszcdzaKwNipcbVsH4wE-Qh7Sa_c6ViBxBUnkrwq5HomoOIfEeG7cWwgfRs7b7wR0T1VxbRTP2/s400/QAH+square.jpeg" width="400" height="339" data-original-width="1020" data-original-height="865" /></a></div>Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-16809021927280128882014-12-19T13:22:00.000-08:002018-03-28T21:03:51.932-07:00The Royal Road Premiering at 2015 Sundance Film Festival<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/113438201" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
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I'm so thrilled that my new film, <a href="http://www/royalroadmovie.com">The Royal Road</a> is finally complete and set to debut at the <a href="http://www.sundance.org/projects/the-royal-road">Sundance Film Festival</a> in January. I'm extremely grateful to the hundreds of people who have supported me and the project financially, creatively and emotionally over these past few years!
<i>The Royal Road</i> is a lyrical feature-length cinematic essay set against a contemplative backdrop of 16mm urban California landscapes. The film offers up a primer on the Spanish colonization of California and the Mexican American War alongside intimate reflections on nostalgia, the pursuit of unavailable women, butch identity and Alfred Hitchcock's <i>Vertigo</i>. Featuring a voiceover cameo by Tony Kushner.
Please check out the short teaser above and visit the film's official website at <a href="http://www/royalroadmovie.com">RoyalRoadMovie.com</a> for more info or just <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RoyalRoadMovie">like</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalRoadMovie">follow</a>, etc. on social media to stay updated!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_2mYXgofibJpO7YGU_mEyC2ye7K0hH_1EltThwN-mtsl55Sg-BD3qS7qq5GdwoTadHhnC4F8tRCryzcUYWunBWV7aw9yx4hPMsuYUWMKprYrX-FqtF3pmzyFJ6nl0AMlvLYt/s1600/TheRoyalRoad6MASTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_2mYXgofibJpO7YGU_mEyC2ye7K0hH_1EltThwN-mtsl55Sg-BD3qS7qq5GdwoTadHhnC4F8tRCryzcUYWunBWV7aw9yx4hPMsuYUWMKprYrX-FqtF3pmzyFJ6nl0AMlvLYt/s400/TheRoyalRoad6MASTER.jpg" width="400" height="283" data-original-width="1200" data-original-height="849" /></a></div>Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-25152278064312305112014-07-13T13:48:00.002-07:002014-07-13T13:48:37.199-07:00The Royal Road — The journey ahead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWCXsKvHhLu_XrifgeNJoj9jkPiGjqTJbCXkynJ3mOogKWCfjZllz7qDuEFVdAxpfL5wreT-1_C3ONMYwgHaYA3D0v_evmiXBCxPG6RnYLz3O2dnyaFdI8NVqxPnJN8s59fZD/s1600/TheRoyalRoadProdStill1%E2%80%94LORES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWCXsKvHhLu_XrifgeNJoj9jkPiGjqTJbCXkynJ3mOogKWCfjZllz7qDuEFVdAxpfL5wreT-1_C3ONMYwgHaYA3D0v_evmiXBCxPG6RnYLz3O2dnyaFdI8NVqxPnJN8s59fZD/s1600/TheRoyalRoadProdStill1%E2%80%94LORES.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's July 2014 and time to admit that my days of regular blogging on this page are over. If you're reading this (and I hope you are) please come visit my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jenniolsonsf" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/jenniolsonsf" target="_blank">Twitter</a> accounts. Or click to learn more about the project that will be consuming the next year or so of my life, my new film <a href="http://royalroadmovie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Royal Road</a> (you can also follow the film on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RoyalRoadMovie" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/royalroadmovie" target="_blank">Twitter</a>).<br />
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On that note, I'm thrilled to announce that I have just started picture edit on <a href="http://royalroadmovie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Royal Road</a>. Thanks to all of my friends and supporters for helping me get this far. I hope to be finished by the end of the year and look forward to an early 2015 world premiere. I do still need to raise more funds for finishing — tax-deductible contributions can be made via my fiscal-sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society by clicking right here: <a href="http://www.sffs.org/filmmaker360/project-development/the-royal-road">http://www.sffs.org/filmmaker360/project-development/the-royal-road</a>.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-4287165799933981242013-07-12T11:46:00.003-07:002013-07-12T11:46:55.142-07:00VOTE for The Royal Road Now!I'm very excited to report that my new film project, <i>The Royal Road</i> is up for <a href="http://www.indiewire.com/article/vote-for-project-of-the-week-will-it-be-royal-chessboxing-fairfield-or-pilby">Project of the Week on indieWIRE</a>!<br />
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Even though the Kickstarter campaign is over we can still win a free digital distribution consultation with SnagFilms (and the prestige of triumph). Plus, if we win Project of the Week we move on to compete for Project of the Month and a possible consultation with the Tribeca Film Institute.<br />
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Please click thru to <a href="http://www.indiewire.com/article/vote-for-project-of-the-week-will-it-be-royal-chessboxing-fairfield-or-pilby">VOTE RIGHT NOW</a> for <i>The Royal Road</i>. It really only takes a moment and will be super helpful to me and the film.<br />
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And speaking of Kickstarter... I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the inspiring generosity of our MANY supporters.
Our crowd-funding campaign for <i>The Royal Road</i> ended at Midnight on July 10th with a <b>grand total of $24,038 with contributions from a whopping 424 backers</b>! In addition to these funds I'm very happy to say that many more people also contributed to the project via our fiscal sponsor, The San Francisco Film Society — adding another roughly $2,500 to that total.<br />
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Which reminds me — if you know of anyone else who might still want to contribute it is not too late to give via the Film Society link right <a href="http://www.sffs.org/donate/donate-now.aspx?pid=1353">HERE</a>.<br />
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I'm really excited to put the funds to use towards the next steps of production (three more shoots, finishing the script and voiceover recording are all on deck). In fact, I will be in Los Angeles next weekend to do a shoot there during Outfest!<br />
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I promise to keep everyone updated as the project progresses. And we'll be fulfilling all the Kickstarter rewards as swiftly as we can.<br />
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Please be sure to come <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RoyalRoadMovie">LIKE our official Facebook page</a> and/or <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniOlsonSF">follow me on Twitter</a>! You can also click thru to <a href="http://royalroadmovie.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2a5164a6fbd3b0d62e50b9077&id=822d8e8c71">subscribe to my personal newsletter</a> (I promise it is only quarterly or so).Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-51951131688513788152013-06-22T10:03:00.000-07:002013-06-22T10:03:22.800-07:00Online Panhandling for My New Movie<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7-Wqx0YuvQ9llDS0S7UdZBpUQDRvDKrAahFZqyZyxMRbmGYBa-JQzMjzQkINt1VVIOYLSDlglKxEM4AI4-7xdoHt5NdxFflLuU27nY2R6KwoEblafMpVajRyTq3HJveqRtF7/s1600/NewRoyalRoadShot+640x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7-Wqx0YuvQ9llDS0S7UdZBpUQDRvDKrAahFZqyZyxMRbmGYBa-JQzMjzQkINt1VVIOYLSDlglKxEM4AI4-7xdoHt5NdxFflLuU27nY2R6KwoEblafMpVajRyTq3HJveqRtF7/s320/NewRoyalRoadShot+640x480.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still from <i>The Royal Road</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I recently explained the Latin phrase <i>carpe diem</i> to one of my daughters. Parenthood is packed with these wonderful opportunities — the pure joy of countless emotional, intellectual, artistic experiences shared so intimately. The gentle conveyance of basic bits of knowledge, that one has accumulated from mere longevity. And in these moments (completely predictable, of course) we as adults are doing as much of the learning as the children.<br />
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Seize the day — I am reminded. Seize the day. Nearly ten years have elapsed since I completed my first feature film, <a href="http://www.joyoflifemovie.com">The Joy of Life</a>. It is time to make my new movie!<br />
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<a href="http://www.royalroadmovie.com">The Royal Road</a> is a lyrical new film contemplating butch lesbian desire, nostalgia, Casanova, a history of the Mexican-American War and so much more.<br />
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<i>The Royal Road</i> has already received generous support from the San Francisco Arts Commission and the Herbert Family Filmmaking Grant, as well as from many individual donors. However, it is also clear that the time has come to reach beyond conventional grantmakers to find the funds to fully bring my vision to life. And so, I am now turning to my friends, my colleagues, the likeminded appreciators of the special kind of filmmaking that I feel so compelled to create and to watch.<br />
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Without further preface, my request is a simple one. Please contribute as generously as you can. This is a wonderful opportunity to be a patron of the arts and I promise not to let you down. If you've liked any of my previous work (or if you have an affinity for experimental, unconventional, non-traditional cinema and storytelling) please click through to donate now )and to read more about the project) — the campaign ends at Midnight, Wednesday, July 10th. Here's the link (and please share it with friends if you can and urge them to join you):<br />
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<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jenniolson/the-royal-road-a-film-by-jenni-olson">http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jenniolson/the-royal-road-a-film-by-jenni-olson</a><br />
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Thank you so much!<br />
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Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-3073821022018218252013-05-22T19:01:00.000-07:002013-05-22T19:01:17.199-07:00575 CASTRO ST. Harvey Milk Day UpdateI have two exciting bits of news to share about my short film, <a href="http://575castrostreet.blogspot.com/">575 Castro St.</a> today.<br />
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<b>Harvey Visits the 8th Graders</b><br />
First and foremost I just have to share that I had the opportunity to present the film to the 8th Grade class at Brandeis Hillel Day School this afternoon and had a fantastically inspiring experience with the kids talking about Harvey as the gay (and Jewish) hero that he was. Here in California, the law that set out May 22nd as <a href="http://www.harveymilkday.co/">Harvey Milk Day</a> also encourages public schools and educational institutions to conduct suitable commemorative exercises.<br />
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In my introduction to the film I spoke a bit about who Harvey was and how <a href="http://www.filminfocus.com/">FilmInFocus.com</a> had asked me to make this short film for the <a href="http://focusfeatures.com/milk"><i>Milk</i> website</a> back in 2009; and then asked the kids to think about why Harvey was so focused on how important it is for people to come out.<br />
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I confess I brought along a box full of <a href="http://www.hrc.org/">HRC</a> equals sign buttons to hand out to the kids afterwards — yes, I have some political bones to pick with HRC but the ubiquitous and highly meaningful symbol was too valuable to resist. It was incredibly moving to see most of the kids pinning the buttons to their jackets and backpacks without hesitation, and to know that they and their generation are literally making the world safer for LGBT people.<br />
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For any of you California educators out there — I have a great little double-sided one-page hand out you can use to present the film to your class as a Harvey Milk Day activity next year. You can use the handout to guide the discussion and show the film directly at the <a href="http://www.filminfocus.com/video/milk_575_castro_st">FilmInFocus.com <i>575 Castro St.</i> page</a> or the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/ytscreeningroom">Sundance Screening Room YouTube page</a> (just send me a Facebook message and I will get you the handout).<br />
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<b>Watch at the Sundance Screening Room & Elsewhere</b><br />
I’m also proud to share that there is a brand new opportunity for everyone to see the film by visiting the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/ytscreeningroom">Sundance Screening Room YouTube</a> page where it is being freshly showcased for Harvey Milk Day.<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/klcAJNkmlpw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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As always, San Franciscans and visiting tourists can view the film in the most perfect venue I could ever have imagined: The <a href="http://shop.hrc.org/san-francisco-hrc-store">HRC Action Center & Store</a> which is located at the now legendary address of Harvey Milk's old Castro Camera shop (yes, that would be 575 Castro St.).<br />
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Working with our awesome <a href="http://www.glbthistory.org/">GLBT Historical Society</a> the HRC folks have created a wonderful historical display about Harvey Milk and Castro Camera. A prominent part of the display is an installation of my film, <i>575 Castro St.</i> exhibited on a continual loop, with a set of headphones so you can listen to the soundtrack while you watch.<br />
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Of course the most amazing thing about this is the fact that not only was my film footage shot at this address (in 2009 when it was the empty Castro Camera Store set of <b>Gus Van Sant</b>'s <i>Milk</i>) but the audio of Harvey Milk talking about his wishes in the event of his assassination was also recorded in this very room (not upstairs in his apartment as fictionally depicted in Milk).<br />
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Big continuing gratitude to everyone at FilmInFocus.com, the GLBT Historical Society, HRC and also the <a href="http://milkfoundation.org/">Harvey Milk Foundation</a> for their ongoing work maintaining the legacy of Harvey Milk.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-87781225444077768872013-04-09T19:15:00.003-07:002013-04-09T19:15:37.122-07:00In Defense of Vito<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eTgecMOniQEGQhdvBi9wfCih6WrTt4vB3153ZwSRJXtmSmZbpcJmMOEs-RHmD3rIG5YUdU_AkyogV-cp07IHHSUVCMH4fgcFtP9UVoFRJwYnadqfvMJhJU6xKnH4LzttlVlL/s1600/celluloid-book.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eTgecMOniQEGQhdvBi9wfCih6WrTt4vB3153ZwSRJXtmSmZbpcJmMOEs-RHmD3rIG5YUdU_AkyogV-cp07IHHSUVCMH4fgcFtP9UVoFRJwYnadqfvMJhJU6xKnH4LzttlVlL/s320/celluloid-book.jpg" /></a><br />
My response to <b>Mark Adnum</b>'s "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-adnum/skeletons-in-the-closet_b_2998120.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices">Skeletons in 'The Closet'</a>" attack on <b>Vito Russo</b>'s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Celluloid-Closet-Homosexuality-Movies/dp/0060961325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365559831&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Celluloid+Closet">The Celluloid Closet</a> in today's Huffington Post:
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Oh, Mark. This is such a willful misinterpretation of the book on so many levels. Vito's critique was of the many ways that mainstream cinema intentionally represented gay characters in limited stereotypes (it seems like you are either making an intentional effort to misunderstand his meaning or you are really just not grasping the nuance). Your implication that Vito was some kind of internalized homophobe who didn't appreciate nellyness and effeminacy is absurd. On the contrary, you leave out one of the most significant aspects of his thesis which explicitly addresses this and places him squarely as the feminist progressive he was. </blockquote>
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In discussing early buddy films (and specifically the relationship between John Gilbert and Lars Hanson in <i>Flesh and the Devil</i>) Vito writes:
"The primary buddy relationships in films are those between men who despise homosexuality yet find that their truest and most noble feelings are for each other. There is a misogyny here that goes beyond simple hatred for women and things feminine. If the truly masculine man hated women — in the sense that he trusted only men as true friends — what then would be his reaction to homosexuals who are perceived to be "like" women yet are in fact male? It would be even more violent, it seems, for gays are the manifestation of what stands between men's complete love of other men and their acceptance of women as friends. Always wary that they might appear too effeminate and therefore queer (like women), men have never been granted the full emotional potential they might have had on film." </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>
The Celluloid Closet</i> has become the "Bible" that it is because it was ambitious, took a broad view of the landscape, had a straightforward thesis and was brought ought widely by a mainstream publisher. Vito's fundamental objective was to draw attention to the fact that we deserved better portrayals of queer characters on screen (especially by Hollywood, hence his limited treatment of non-American films — and, as you surely know, he did address this in the second edition which includes reflections on Almodovar, von Praunheim, Visconti and other European directors). Through his life and work he made significant contributions towards that goal and deserves the respect and admiration he has earned. It's great to see you mention all these other wonderful LGBT film books which are also must-read contributions to the field (although I would also argue that Parker Tyler's approach to his material in <i>Screening the Sexes</i> is a taste I have yet to acquire). Subsequent (post-<i>Celluloid Closet</i>) titles also really worth reading include Richard Dyer's <i>Now You See It</i>; Ray Murray's <i>Images In The Dark</i>, Andrea Weiss's <i>Vampires & Violets</i> and Boze Hadleigh's <i>The Lavender Screen</i>. </blockquote>
Jenni Olson
LGBT filmmaker and film historian (and author of <i>The Queer Movie Poster Book</i> and <i>The Ultimate Guide to Lesbian & Gay Film and Video</i>)
Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-45494306040134716082013-03-03T22:30:00.000-08:002013-03-03T22:30:10.159-08:00TED2013: InspiredMy dear friend <a href="http://www.ted.com/speakers/tom_rielly.html">Tom Rielly</a> has been urging me to attend the <a href="http://www.ted.com/pages/registration">TED Conference</a> since 1995. I'm very happy to say that I was finally able to attend this year (thanks to Tom's generosity, ingenuity and kindness). It really was a once in a lifetime experience which was utterly inspiring on many levels — especially creatively. I feel a renewed energy for my current film project, <a href="http://royalroadmovie.blogspot.com/">The Royal Road</a> and gratitude for all the super smart and brilliant folks out there trying to make the world a better place.
<p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="http://embed.ted.com/talks/jennifer_granholm_a_clean_energy_proposal_race_to_the_top.html" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="560"></iframe>
<p>
Highlights of the week included the following <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks">TED Talks</a>: the former Governor of Michigan, <a href="https://twitter.com/JenGranholm">Jennifer Granholm</a> making the case for jobs and clean energy; the surprisingly smart and super articulate <a href="https://twitter.com/BonoVox_">Bono</a> talking about his work on global poverty reduction; photographers <a href="https://twitter.com/SalgadoSebasti">Sebastiao Salgado</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/CamilleSeaman">Camille Seaman</a>; Tesla/Solar City founder <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk">Elon Musk</a>; the teenage scientists <a href="https://twitter.com/Sciradioactive">Taylor Wilson</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/jackandraka">Jack Andraka</a>; L.A. urban gardening activist <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dhdAgLPMUQ">Ron Finley</a> and Australian math geek <a href="https://twitter.com/adambspencer">Adam Spencer</a>.
<p>
I also especially enjoyed <b>Phil Hansen</b> on creativity arising out of limitations; <b>Freeman Hrabowski</b> on education; deep sea squid researcher <b>Edith Widder</b>; the young Kenyan inventor <b>Richard Turere</b>; <b>Mohamed Jemni</b>'s WebSigns ASL avatar translator and <b>Alex Laskey</b> on reducing household energy use and his organization, OPower. As well as the musical performances of the <b>Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, Amanda Palmer</b> and <b>Ji-Hae Park</b>.
<p>
Most of these are not up on the <a href="http://www.ted.com">TED site</a> yet but keep an eye out for them in the coming weeks.
<p>
In addition to the amazing array of TED Talks I was especially excited to experience the <a href="http://www.ted.com/fellows">TED Fellows</a> program of up and coming thinkers, activists, artists and innovators. You can find out more about the TED Fellows program — including how to apply — right <a href="http://www.ted.com/fellows">here</a>. I also got to meet and talk with tons of interesting TED attendees. The guest list is as impressive as the line-up of speakers.
<p>
Next year's conference will take place March 17-21st in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Click thru to find out <a href="http://www.ted.com/pages/tedconference">how to apply</a>.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-86411039500616162762013-01-06T16:28:00.000-08:002013-01-06T16:28:02.004-08:00Family Movie Tip: The Rabbi's Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAonExObEzhYp5g00Fqlzez5mJfFLouoIMHfcOXyAAIizKuSteorjImm41lNhcB6dIxZ7Hz0pzlFYT8uS0UNS8bk4jEsvcj-7Uj4bG3R2vvSpj9MIUWClnqd2JVDZeqJhJruJ/s1600/TheRabbisCat4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="261" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAonExObEzhYp5g00Fqlzez5mJfFLouoIMHfcOXyAAIizKuSteorjImm41lNhcB6dIxZ7Hz0pzlFYT8uS0UNS8bk4jEsvcj-7Uj4bG3R2vvSpj9MIUWClnqd2JVDZeqJhJruJ/s400/TheRabbisCat4.jpg" /></a></div>
Just wanted to share a movie tip for January. From the awesome folks at GKids (who released the wonderful family film, <i>A Cat in Paris</i>) comes the US release of <i>The Rabbi's Cat</i>. The film is opening in San Francisco at the Landmark Theatres (<a href="http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/SanFrancisco/SanFrancisco_Frameset.htm">click to see which theatre</a>) and in Berkeley at the Shattuck — on January 18th.
This charming, smart and funny movie is an enjoyable family film for kids 10 and up (it does have subtitles so for the younger ones you will have to do some live translation).
Starring a philosophical feline who aspires to have his own bar mitzvah (so he'll be able to marry the rabbi's daughter), this hilarious film is beautifully animated and is as entertaining for adults as it is for kids. Check out the trailer below, get out to see the film on the big screen and also check out this great <a href="http://www.gkids.tv/dvd.cfm">GKids DVD Guide</a> for more unique family friendly movie options.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wk6IB_Kgl4E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-27748592275641232822012-10-20T14:36:00.000-07:002012-10-20T14:36:24.026-07:00Vintage 1970 Melanie: Lay Down
<object width="410" height="341" id="veohFlashPlayer" name="veohFlashPlayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.veoh.com/swf/webplayer/WebPlayer.swf?version=AFrontend.5.7.0.1390&permalinkId=v12921463RhBrmSSp&player=videodetailsembedded&videoAutoPlay=0&id=anonymous"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.veoh.com/swf/webplayer/WebPlayer.swf?version=AFrontend.5.7.0.1390&permalinkId=v12921463RhBrmSSp&player=videodetailsembedded&videoAutoPlay=0&id=anonymous" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="410" height="341" id="veohFlashPlayerEmbed" name="veohFlashPlayerEmbed"></embed></object><br /><font size="1">Watch <a href="http://www.veoh.com/watch/v12921463RhBrmSSp">Melanie Safka ~ Lay Down </a> in <a href="http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/music">Music</a> | View More <a href="http://www.veoh.com">Free Videos Online at Veoh.com</a></font>Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-52758821789341068092012-08-03T17:26:00.001-07:002012-08-03T17:26:17.674-07:00Memory, Anger and Activism: A Yizkor for the Fallen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0ZvP9Zr5R20PiEZ2TV5M5OFxOlnA9OKC4pxGhsqwvaea-W0aS1DOFqWP8G4OG4axSG3YI0CU8XJDgAcX8RTzAE5D90MfTqsR245R7Eii_cqe-xpL-95Z4Bse8lJWzmYi1A5a/s1600/ggbridgespan_jenni_olson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="352" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0ZvP9Zr5R20PiEZ2TV5M5OFxOlnA9OKC4pxGhsqwvaea-W0aS1DOFqWP8G4OG4axSG3YI0CU8XJDgAcX8RTzAE5D90MfTqsR245R7Eii_cqe-xpL-95Z4Bse8lJWzmYi1A5a/s400/ggbridgespan_jenni_olson.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>or How many suicides does it take to solve a public health and safety issue?</b>
<p>
Like many of my peers who came of age as a queer in the mid ‘80s I lost numerous friends and colleagues to AIDS. In addition to our activism and anger, the community also developed creative formats and rituals to work through our grief. With the Names Project Quilt on one end of the spectrum and the Ashes Action (dumping the cremated remains of deceased PWAs on the White House lawn) at the other — we found ways to grieve and engage in pushing our social-political agenda.
<p>
This month as we recognize the 75th anniversary of the first known Golden Gate Bridge suicide (WWI veteran <b>Harold Wobber</b> who died on August 7th, 1937 just ten weeks after the Bridge first opened) I find myself thinking of the ACT UP activists who so forcefully impacted public policy and our national healthcare infrastructure — to save the lives of the people who were dying — by harnessing their anger and creativity into meaningful, effective activism.
<p>
In 1995 my friend <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Finch">Mark Finch</a> died of suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge. A friend recently shared this phrasing with me and I think it is the first time I’ve had the right words to express what really happened to Mark. In the same way that people die <i>of</i> cancer, or <i>of</i> a heart attack or of some other disease — Mark died <i>of</i> suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. The contributing factors: depression and being in the midst of a transition off of Effexor (a pharmaceutical known to cause suicidal ideation in withdrawal from the drug). And unobstructed access to a four and a half foot, easily-surmountable railing on the number one suicide landmark in the world.
<p>
Mark died of suicide. He also died of organizational indifference, agency bureaucracy, public policy that fails to protect public health and safety, and, public heartlessness.
<p>
On May 27th this year while the City was celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the opening of the Bridge I got in touch with my anger (and my creativity) and crafted the idea of a memorial and public health activism project called A Yizkor for the Fallen.
<p>
<b>Please join me at 7pm on Tuesday August 7th at Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (290 Dolores St. at 16th St.) for "A Yizkor for the Fallen" — a memorial and public health activism project in memory of the 1,558 people known to have lost their lives to suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. This special evening event will be co-presented by myself and SF Suicide Prevention ED Eve Meyer. The service is free and open to the public. Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (which means “Golden Gate” in Hebrew) welcomes people of all faiths to this special service and especially extends welcome and condolences to the many friends and family who have lost loved ones to suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge. Click thru to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/236349616485611/">RSVP to the Facebook event page</a> and get more details.
</b><p>
Also, here are some links to the press coverage the service has gotten so you can read more about it.
<p>
<a href="http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/65999/for-the-fallen-synagogue-service-remembers-golden-gate-bridge-suicides/">J Weekly</a> [cover story]
<p>
<a href="http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=67924">Bay Area Reporter</a>
<p>
<a href="http://www.jta.org/news/article/2012/08/03/3102781/san-francisco-synagogue-service-to-remember-golden-gate-bridge-suicides">Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA)</a>
<p>
<a href="http://heebmagazine.com/yizkor-for-the-fallen/37678">Heeb Magazine</a>
<p>
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/a-yizkor-for-the-fallen-memorial-service-for-those-who-have-lept-from-the-gold">Examiner.com</a>Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-40926010466976185512012-05-26T23:25:00.000-07:002012-05-26T23:25:35.956-07:00The Final Leap by John Bateson<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=brokebackmo08-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=0520272404" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<br /><br />
I had a chance last week to skim through this very powerful new book by John Bateson which takes an in-depth look at the history of suicide and the Golden Gate Bridge.
It is an excellent overview and it's wonderful to see it published to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Bridge.<br />
<br />
I was also very pleased that he mentions my film, <i>The Joy of Life</i> several times.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-67362359063932362582012-05-23T15:28:00.001-07:002012-05-23T15:28:21.891-07:00Self-promoting Homage to Vito Russo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy1CnF5IcEJCFNBt5ZWhxY71IjXEv_UCsDqIRg8dGfVYApDS61mp7zHXlKtJOWhJg0rWm0IyykznUBY825zoWOlrerVQqlWgNhn3eAztH6C1bavLiNVG1-a6DrDgNwWKhqDyM/s1600/JenniVito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcy1CnF5IcEJCFNBt5ZWhxY71IjXEv_UCsDqIRg8dGfVYApDS61mp7zHXlKtJOWhJg0rWm0IyykznUBY825zoWOlrerVQqlWgNhn3eAztH6C1bavLiNVG1-a6DrDgNwWKhqDyM/s400/JenniVito.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
A few months ago the folks at MUBI.com asked me to contribute a list for their "<a href="http://mubi.com/lists/ten-films-that-saved-your-life">ten films that saved your life</a> section."
I sent them a list (see below), but more importantly I included this note which I wanted to share here as a nudge to encourage everyone to order their <a href="http://ticketing.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=2645&FID=49">Frameline</a> (June 14th at 7pm) and <a href="http://www.outfest.org/outfest.html">Outfest</a> (July 12th) Opening Night tickets for <a href="http://vitorussomovie.com/">VITO</a> so you get to see it with an audience. And you'll also want to tune in and watch it on HBO on July 23rd.
<br />
<blockquote>
The truth is, it was a book that saved my life. A book about film. Vito Russo’s pioneering examination of homosexuality in Hollywood cinema (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060961325/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=brokebackmo08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0060961325">The Celluloid Closet</a>) was what facilitated my own coming out and launched me on my career as a film programmer and film historian. <b>Rob Epstein</b> and <b>Jeffrey Friedman</b>’s documentary of the book is pretty awesome in its own right. I have not yet seen <b>Jeffrey Schwarz</b>’s new documentary <i>Vito</i> (which I have a brief appearance in) but I’m sure it will save a few lives in its account of one of the most important American gay activists in our history. </blockquote>
<b>Jenni Olson's top ten films that saved your life:</b><br />
<br />
SHERMAN’S MARCH. ROSS MCELWEE<br />
TONGUES UNTIED. MARLON RIGGS<br />
GENTLY DOWN THE STREAM. SU FRIEDRICH<br />
MASSILLON. WILLIAM E. JONES
RESERVAAT. CLARA VAN GOOL<br />
LA JETÉE. CHRIS MARKER<br />
GOD’S COUNTRY. LOUIS MALLE<br />
FLAMING EARS. A. HANS SCHEIRL<br />
MY DINNER WITH ANDRE. LOUIS MALLE<br />
STRANGER THAN PARADISE. JIM JARMUSCH<br />
<br />
<i>Note: That's a picture of Vito and I in front of the Cedar Theatre in Minneapolis in about 1986 or so. </i>Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-49752051724816609682012-05-21T22:40:00.002-07:002017-12-30T16:32:01.236-08:00Film Festival Snapshots Thru the AgesI have all these old jpgs where the file size is so small I can't even make prints of them, and most of them have one thing in common (they are pictures of me and some other person; also most of them are from film festivals so they offer a nice little walk down memory lane). Yes, this post arises from my compulsive need to put things into categories and then store them all in one place. In mostly reverse chronological order. Enjoy!
<br>
<br>
<b>Amsterdam Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (December 1991)</b><br>
Robin Vachal, Shelley Mars, Alix Umen, Sadie Benning, Su Friedrich, Me
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD7LL4jnGrPPeT2iMGtKGkGECCWRAFso4Dk_4hK5YfeX0HySK7siuj0trxZk_sER02ZuY5-n84YgYFvqIql4XQ-V8Od9jkf7X6XKbJYEFELVlZlVh6ihMj0qNkCql-wBNXORj/s1600-h/amsterdamfest1991.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225707835186066578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD7LL4jnGrPPeT2iMGtKGkGECCWRAFso4Dk_4hK5YfeX0HySK7siuj0trxZk_sER02ZuY5-n84YgYFvqIql4XQ-V8Od9jkf7X6XKbJYEFELVlZlVh6ihMj0qNkCql-wBNXORj/s320/amsterdamfest1991.jpg"></a>
<br>
<br>
<b>Frameline 1997</b><br>
With Su Friedrich<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel3xf-USE1W8nIN_bKyXPjdjJEuLeZIkYz10KJcPJnGHUfywH3mM0AwyEZC-pPxptKmKYH8yZD6FgPnHjmbpeh8BAI8cojf0BCVCNYSQ5b_qOWm-QL6erf4jEn6PRboU1uw2X/s1600-h/meandsu1997.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225708083443104754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel3xf-USE1W8nIN_bKyXPjdjJEuLeZIkYz10KJcPJnGHUfywH3mM0AwyEZC-pPxptKmKYH8yZD6FgPnHjmbpeh8BAI8cojf0BCVCNYSQ5b_qOWm-QL6erf4jEn6PRboU1uw2X/s320/meandsu1997.jpg"></a><br>
<br>
<b>San Francisco City Hall (February 2004)</b><br>
With Julie — Getting Married <br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYBDlp1QW1mUuPWP18VAQvxs5N7h0rRJ_mTroTFYfSepfXiw0CrsSEI5AueWp2iMvWt8bQ313cHS72pg4qckini0ZD2ZfCvvKuXgzLgjmmu9H_FvwFFSq8V33OKt2Y_BV7i1I/s1600-h/SF_Feb_04.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225708274664557714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYBDlp1QW1mUuPWP18VAQvxs5N7h0rRJ_mTroTFYfSepfXiw0CrsSEI5AueWp2iMvWt8bQ313cHS72pg4qckini0ZD2ZfCvvKuXgzLgjmmu9H_FvwFFSq8V33OKt2Y_BV7i1I/s320/SF_Feb_04.jpg"></a>
<br>
<br>
<b>Vancouver International Film Festival (November 2005)</b><br>
With Julie — Getting Married Again<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZRH6HdNwOq1q-VRCrF2zPhd9sy360hKfgeVtLSGyY4DkcOlye2qCzi0knAf-KYQQdWd9D8eYD0mU3xJzSZh_nRbulNl-YpC7Ed5seJHAc-p1e9VINuexV_8n3lQdcKJpFDZu/s1600-h/Vancouver_Nov_05.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225708433555624690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZRH6HdNwOq1q-VRCrF2zPhd9sy360hKfgeVtLSGyY4DkcOlye2qCzi0knAf-KYQQdWd9D8eYD0mU3xJzSZh_nRbulNl-YpC7Ed5seJHAc-p1e9VINuexV_8n3lQdcKJpFDZu/s320/Vancouver_Nov_05.jpg"></a>
<br>
<br>
<b>Sundance 2004</b><br>
With Bruce LaBruce<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIysspURQgXqsXAwwXeWSR7GY6h5hn4MX_-y-zmjSlEKfRsAamzPnnA85OnFt-xAISpTgo1ZK3pvIwMcVLmRu9047Hjfb-vuD2j4z70Iz57L4ArRWxkGGBLxkRFqu4iGQTfxid/s1600-h/jenni_bruce_Sundance2004.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226074384412728674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIysspURQgXqsXAwwXeWSR7GY6h5hn4MX_-y-zmjSlEKfRsAamzPnnA85OnFt-xAISpTgo1ZK3pvIwMcVLmRu9047Hjfb-vuD2j4z70Iz57L4ArRWxkGGBLxkRFqu4iGQTfxid/s320/jenni_bruce_Sundance2004.jpg"></a>
<br>
<br>
<b>Sundance 2004</b><br>
With Jennie Livingston & Guinevere Turner<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxBjIf2QUJKRunf83YJtbJ7QC87wCCXmGdGLcBsl3UNjTS92wk179U7AR0KbSxZ5E7Y-kVwj3VcFKisNF_WuRilUpBpteB3jKMpPkYE2RA4dExPn3szGqhzKM1ICmF93H06S-/s1600-h/jennijennieguinsundance04.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226074689253627970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxBjIf2QUJKRunf83YJtbJ7QC87wCCXmGdGLcBsl3UNjTS92wk179U7AR0KbSxZ5E7Y-kVwj3VcFKisNF_WuRilUpBpteB3jKMpPkYE2RA4dExPn3szGqhzKM1ICmF93H06S-/s320/jennijennieguinsundance04.jpg"></a>
<br>
<br>
<b>Frameline 2004</b><br>
With Rose Troche<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QqLxBs7jaJbtSE8jPoNPajck_ShQbxlSodZ5kTw5wswDk8P9GaW1rYiuaTQyVVFAS_EbnZ1f4mw3_zvwDzZd5uhsPNn6I7i3LAqG8KOZd7gFL8tpRVaLDPZljz6h9YNEcxm1/s1600-h/RoseJenni.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226075410407847298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QqLxBs7jaJbtSE8jPoNPajck_ShQbxlSodZ5kTw5wswDk8P9GaW1rYiuaTQyVVFAS_EbnZ1f4mw3_zvwDzZd5uhsPNn6I7i3LAqG8KOZd7gFL8tpRVaLDPZljz6h9YNEcxm1/s320/RoseJenni.jpg"></a>
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<b>Sundance 2006</b><br>
With Shari Frilot<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d6xGt4I0lZChuyhRIAEnAaL4njWhzfOUHL6n4IZyz0FJWrJzMUglVmPwitwmmf1tEXQYNLxaW8gVqy_bWtmGNR3ful1SDsBD3fw0WiSj7ecVakHEMAYJqnQeRwRCzNNbnfgR/s1600-h/jennishari2006.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226076184877535090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d6xGt4I0lZChuyhRIAEnAaL4njWhzfOUHL6n4IZyz0FJWrJzMUglVmPwitwmmf1tEXQYNLxaW8gVqy_bWtmGNR3ful1SDsBD3fw0WiSj7ecVakHEMAYJqnQeRwRCzNNbnfgR/s320/jennishari2006.jpg"></a>
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<br>
<b>Sundance 2006</b><br>
With Daniela Sea<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Tc6zffmgQyiEl3ib8sS1vgsHAn1eigam3_e8p-miIIk5PcMK3fFPbZEeWMsxFLgMZOuB3TLuPP4-7cLxto1t14HcNN-harGN9xB6_94uTTWhD_74tpu7_yOVuy6SPBgncOh8/s1600-h/danielajenni2006.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226076182631986930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Tc6zffmgQyiEl3ib8sS1vgsHAn1eigam3_e8p-miIIk5PcMK3fFPbZEeWMsxFLgMZOuB3TLuPP4-7cLxto1t14HcNN-harGN9xB6_94uTTWhD_74tpu7_yOVuy6SPBgncOh8/s320/danielajenni2006.jpg"></a><br>
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<b>Sundance 2006</b><br>
With Guinevere Turner<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OoctYKXHZXHUUngbWEu4ANxG2qp1sXmbP0-qQGw6fdVqRDJ-2BgtckEr8AFs0ZlKcS-mrVq4B_AJtvxOFhHiYiP7CV-crbmqG5tfHwX3Zi8VmXUtjdeZr-3a3QJ83L2HWiay/s1600-h/guinjennisundance2006.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226076188170133602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OoctYKXHZXHUUngbWEu4ANxG2qp1sXmbP0-qQGw6fdVqRDJ-2BgtckEr8AFs0ZlKcS-mrVq4B_AJtvxOFhHiYiP7CV-crbmqG5tfHwX3Zi8VmXUtjdeZr-3a3QJ83L2HWiay/s320/guinjennisundance2006.jpg"></a>
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<b>NCLR Gala 2006</b><br>
With Guinevere Turner<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3OrRcePz6Q8FK7G-toonEaPmKLi-sYQSCgGM65zKRAJpKikNlTQX_ONlCZa6mEV6Ejn9wOK8my8JNmJTW769ifOYdsZdUJTjSxqOHPtKpmB6yBwA-2VGcjIgSX3LfyrCICLi/s1600-h/NCLRgt+jo.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226080075555821442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3OrRcePz6Q8FK7G-toonEaPmKLi-sYQSCgGM65zKRAJpKikNlTQX_ONlCZa6mEV6Ejn9wOK8my8JNmJTW769ifOYdsZdUJTjSxqOHPtKpmB6yBwA-2VGcjIgSX3LfyrCICLi/s320/NCLRgt+jo.jpg"></a>
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<b>Sundance 2007</b><br>
With Jason Plourde<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNY1nLZu9PwjUd4Yfxb-WaaxVwlo4IrA2MbkWPKvtdK1YR4QzDnjogy0HEL0nD1NPyUKIveHmMnNOBQs-6NkAtKV5NsDQfpCnzK8wLFwUP1PvUrMdjX2JfXl55XGQ8X-MNUb-/s1600-h/jennijason2007sundance.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226076776671307282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNY1nLZu9PwjUd4Yfxb-WaaxVwlo4IrA2MbkWPKvtdK1YR4QzDnjogy0HEL0nD1NPyUKIveHmMnNOBQs-6NkAtKV5NsDQfpCnzK8wLFwUP1PvUrMdjX2JfXl55XGQ8X-MNUb-/s320/jennijason2007sundance.jpg"></a>
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<b>Frameline 2007</b><br>
With Jamie Babbitt<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEESI61jWap4EZglqzkgBTMTw2e6rNbXJVXuuRTYHQDl-pJtGvCO1-OWHbEJAUMUWcaV_ERgPnwZjHJrqn91NVIPPqdIp0yrWBbQs69V1e5BH_Qx-y7gGro3etAHHO2njgJP3/s1600-h/jamie&jenni-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226077327927789010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEESI61jWap4EZglqzkgBTMTw2e6rNbXJVXuuRTYHQDl-pJtGvCO1-OWHbEJAUMUWcaV_ERgPnwZjHJrqn91NVIPPqdIp0yrWBbQs69V1e5BH_Qx-y7gGro3etAHHO2njgJP3/s320/jamie&jenni-1.jpg"></a>
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<b>Frameline 2007</b><br>
With Julie<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tSqoDGJWIHl5L8JgVuGUN4WhV8a6YODOFjxOPjE1inOOcHCe6kNaSLFRCvrfY7nSNMwanQXBNa81S7Z86Vifb93jqsGutcQ0-6WtVtV6ujtBFxpsCVVxH_EhuII5ICfH8a5I/s1600-h/sflgbt+film+festival+jenni.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226077669594224482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tSqoDGJWIHl5L8JgVuGUN4WhV8a6YODOFjxOPjE1inOOcHCe6kNaSLFRCvrfY7nSNMwanQXBNa81S7Z86Vifb93jqsGutcQ0-6WtVtV6ujtBFxpsCVVxH_EhuII5ICfH8a5I/s320/sflgbt+film+festival+jenni.jpg"></a>
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<b>Dyke March 2007</b><br>
With Kadet<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjze5QxkcaRI_TWyMaCyMMznOiRx0nDETpRUumFt7liudUS2AUjG7_4hfdqxF-iUZyA7AzqhywoWUrKBEujvgCpeWTZC8dAQOKEbpLStWUHWSZpuyRbE6DPcIn3VSleDPGL6y/s1600-h/Jenni_and_Kadet.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226077912554826658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjze5QxkcaRI_TWyMaCyMMznOiRx0nDETpRUumFt7liudUS2AUjG7_4hfdqxF-iUZyA7AzqhywoWUrKBEujvgCpeWTZC8dAQOKEbpLStWUHWSZpuyRbE6DPcIn3VSleDPGL6y/s320/Jenni_and_Kadet.jpg"></a>
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<b>Sundance 2009</b><br>
With Julie<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK9BfXORLJrFdIcAtR6k0HUAJo67Ir6MeelwhczVLsBTs3E3eirZZz_UnHkyJ4hrbBVDPfQLgA4B5yejezpdi5cjzXdmUJBedtucIdocnTocLbUpTdYwrRiWPlwi0u51FLubc/s1600/84366163-associate-producer-julie-dorf-and-director-wireimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK9BfXORLJrFdIcAtR6k0HUAJo67Ir6MeelwhczVLsBTs3E3eirZZz_UnHkyJ4hrbBVDPfQLgA4B5yejezpdi5cjzXdmUJBedtucIdocnTocLbUpTdYwrRiWPlwi0u51FLubc/s400/84366163-associate-producer-julie-dorf-and-director-wireimage.jpg"></a></div>
I love this last shot from when we were at Sundance 2009 for the world premiere of my short <a href="http://575castrostreet.blogspot.com/">575 Castro St</a>. Despite my rigorous attempt to get the photographer to spell my name right she listed me as Jenni Olsen (with an E) so that none of my official 2009 Sundance Film Festival photos get surfaced on my imdb page. :-(
But they can be accessed at the WireImage site <a href="http://www.wireimage.com/search/#events?q=jenni%20olson/[84145485]&ep=1/60/1&s=3">HERE</a>.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-60674488199248670462012-05-21T21:30:00.000-07:002012-05-21T21:30:33.569-07:00ANITA SPERM and Other LGBT Moving Image TreasuresJust stumbled across this cool little interview piece by <b>Sarolta Jane Cump</b> (which somehow I don't remember doing) about the <a href="http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=2000366801">Hormel Center's Frameline Video Archive Project</a> and wanted to share an excerpt and urge everyone to explore the fabulous work we've been doing preserving some really amazing and rare LGBT video work.
<blockquote>I asked [Jenni Olson] about the process of selecting the first small batch of tapes for preservation. “Sifting through the Frameline collection — more than 5,000 LGBT videotapes amassed over the festival's 35 years of existence — was an emotional roller-coaster experience for me each and every day. I would find myself tearing up as I handled tapes of films by filmmakers we had lost in the AIDS crisis — including early and obscure works by people like <b>Derek Jarman, Stuart Marshall, Marlon Riggs</b>. And then five minutes later, I would have the joyfully thrilling experience of coming across exhibition tapes of works where it was evident this would very likely be the only surviving (or accessible) high-quality master — a great example of this is the [1977] <b>Jane Dornacker</b> short, <i>Anita Sperm</i>."</blockquote>
Read the rest of Sarolta's super-interesting post <a href="http://dayofdigitalarchives.blogspot.com/2011/10/it-just-gets-better-all-time-preserving.html">HERE</a>. And then click thru to find out more about the <a href="http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=2000366801">Hormel Center's Frameline Video Archive Project</a>!Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-5094232337742047322012-05-02T10:39:00.001-07:002012-05-02T10:39:48.648-07:00Watch TOMBOY On Demand — NOW!<iframe class="distrify-player" frameborder="0" height="392" id="distrify-player-93" scrolling="no" src="//widgets.distrify.com/widget.html#93-20756" width="540"></iframe>Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-71461374742831682252012-04-10T18:12:00.000-07:002012-04-10T18:12:52.000-07:00Sexy in Milwaukee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqwHe097qZfvlqkJKVBNJTjnLTELZjQDzUhpO0JcPN5u8fAQ7qUnFX5SExJU4oYKWcN04GLrXunE737boIBKJtbXTuUm00faAcqTGWYZ3UGslBDdBKlGrmeMJR1ocSc4gsnMr/s1600/wewhoaresexy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="171" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqwHe097qZfvlqkJKVBNJTjnLTELZjQDzUhpO0JcPN5u8fAQ7qUnFX5SExJU4oYKWcN04GLrXunE737boIBKJtbXTuUm00faAcqTGWYZ3UGslBDdBKlGrmeMJR1ocSc4gsnMr/s400/wewhoaresexy.jpg" /></a></div>
I had the honor of presenting my clip show <i>We Who Are Sexy: The Whirlwind History of Transgender Images in Film</i> last week in Milwaukee (thanks to <b>Carl Bogner</b> at the <a href="http://www4.uwm.edu/psoa/film/lgbtfilmfestival">Milwaukee LGBT Film Festival</a>). Unfortunately my co-curator <b>Susan Stryker</b> wasn't able to co-present with me but I had a great time and was very happy to bring the show to Milwaukee.
And we got our first actual <a href="http://www.uwmpost.com/2012/04/09/a-hidden-history/">review</a> of the show — from <b>Steven Franz</b> at the <i>UWM Post</i>! It's a very flattering review and I was pleased at the numerous descriptors he assigned to me including: "diminutive, wise-looking, witty, engaging" and a "delightfully vulgar speaker."
Here's my favorite excerpt (and I will humbly share "all the credit in the world" with Susan — thank you so much):
<blockquote>"The fact that the Union Theatre audience was only the third to have experienced “We Who Are Sexy” therefore became significant, as did Olson’s role as a cataloger of the rare. Were it not for her vast knowledge on the subject, as well as her strident efforts to possess many works of art that are either out-of-print or lost to time, the wealth of information contained within them may realistically have never come to light. And for that, as well as her invigorating and informative program, she deserves all the credit in the world."</blockquote>
Read the full review <a href="http://www.uwmpost.com/2012/04/09/a-hidden-history/">HERE</a>.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-45730707161821942082012-03-27T15:02:00.002-07:002012-03-27T15:03:58.238-07:00Urbanized: Documentary About Urban Planning & Design<iframe id="distrify-player-607" class="distrify-player" width="540" height="392" src="//widgets.distrify.com/widget.html#607-20756" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
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Super interesting and beautifully made documentary about urban planning and design by <b>Gary Hustwit</b> (director of <i>Helvetica</i>). Enjoy!Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14917603.post-18498458189006578592012-03-14T22:45:00.001-07:002012-03-14T22:45:44.566-07:00Tennessee Williams and "the exigencies of desperation"<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811213110/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=brokebackmo08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0811213110"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0811213110&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=brokebackmo08-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=brokebackmo08-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0811213110" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<i>Just came across this review I wrote when this wonderful Tennessee Williams play came out in a new hardcover edition about ten years ago or so.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811213110/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=brokebackmo08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0811213110">Something Cloudy, Something Clear</a><br />
by <b>Tennessee Williams</b> (New Directions, $19.95)<br />
Reviewed by <b>Jenni Olson</b><br />
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I've been waiting for this <b>Tennessee Williams</b> play ever since my (pre-coming out) sophomore year in college when my (obviously gay) Humanities professor wanted to <i>publish</i> my mid-quarter analysis of the gay content in <i>A Streetcar Named Desire</i>. Of course the paper wasn't really that great—it was a desperate grasp at a few gay straws. But hasn't that always been one of our favorite occupations: searching for gay meaning, subtext, hints, or codes in the works of all those old queer artists? This gay cultural agenda has been long disdained by our heterosexual colleagues—dismissed as irrelevant, prurient, and unnecessary. But in 1981 those same straight pundits were apparently floored by <i>Something Cloudy, Something Clear</i>, a Williams work so bursting with overt gay content (boy-watching, butt-fucking, and joy rags) they just did not know what to with it.<br />
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<i>Something Cloudy, Something Clear</i> was first produced at the Jean Cocteau Repertory in New York City in August, 1981. This beautiful hardcover edition of the play, just published by New Directions, features a thoughtful introduction by <b>Eve Adamson</b>, director of the Cocteau Repertory, who was also Williams' friend. Panned by the critics, this late work (written three years before the author's death in 1983) has languished in obscurity until now.<br />
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In this bittersweet, and clearly autobiographical, reflection on his first love affair (and his early career as a writer), Williams shifts easily and continually between his younger and older selves (the play is set in 1940 and 1980). <i>Something Cloudy</i> is a startling portrait of the artist as a pathetic, horny, self-loathing, alcoholic homosexual — as both a young and an old man. Mixing thinly-disguised fictional characters with figures from his own life (longtime companion <b>Frank Merlo</b>, childhood sweetheart Hazel, actress <b>Tallulah Bankhead</b>, and <b>Kip Kiernan</b>, his first lover) Williams renders a sad vision (at the same time a tender apologia) of himself and his relationships.<br />
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This human tragedy of mutual exploitation revolves around a dramatically crippled trio on a windy Provincetown beach — August, a young homosexual playwright; Clare, a terminally-ill chippy; and Kip, the innocent, doomed dancer they both adore.<br />
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While Clare struggles with her homophobic, gangster pimp, August fights off last night's foul-mouthed, drunken trick. At the center stands Kip, whom August lovingly describes as, "Doomed! How goddamn stupid it is to look at them with envy, the perfect ones, the ones that appear to be completely, completely flawless, the—perfect—with eyes like startled flowers…"<br />
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August, phenomenally pathetic at thirty, pursues the perfect Kip, pausing to reflect, "was I that terrifying forty years ago."<br />
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After a rough start with a lot of irritating interrupted dialogue ("Perhaps he—" "You said you—" ) Williams give us some great moments of dry humor ("Go swim, go drown, I hope a shark eats you!") and wonderfully classic Tennessee dialogue ("Don't be too lonely tonight, spend it with somebody lovely. Goodbye. I mean <i>au revoir</i>. We'll make it together — we have to!") It's not necessarily up there with <i>Streetcar</i> or <i>Glass Menagerie</i>, but I guess hearing August pick up a sailor (SEAMAN: "Tonight I'm too drunk to fuck you, kid." AUGUST: "I wouldn't dream of disputing the matter with you, Spud." SEAMAN: "So you can fuck me for another fin and a drink.") is some consolation for the preceding lineage of closet cases, pederasts, and subtle innuendos (<i>Cat On a Hot Tin Roof</i>'s Brick and Skipper, <i>Suddenly Last Summer</i>'s Sebastian, <i>Night of the Iguana</i>'s Miss Fellowes, etc.)<br />
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The characters of <i>Something Cloudy</i>, with their sad understanding of what Williams calls, "the exigencies of desperation," in the end have as much vivid depth, soul, and pathetic dignity as Blanche DuBois. They play out their moments of cruelty and tenderness, spite and forgiveness — finally redeemed by human kindness, the clear overcoming the cloudy.Jenni Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17291059234403515072noreply@blogger.com0