Video Collection Development—Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.

by Rafael Ocasio -- Críticas, 6/15/2008

In celebration of June’s Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, this round-up gathers some representative films from Argentina and Mexico’s most avant-garde production along with one documentary made in the United States. Other Latin American films have explored gay and lesbian themes before; for example, the Cuban “Fresa y chocolate” (Strawberry and Chocolate, 1994), the Peruvian “No se lo digas a nadie” (Do Not Tell Any One, 1998), and the recent Chilean and Mexican co-production hailed as a “family comedy,” “Lokas” (Queers, 2007). However, Argentina and Mexico’s booming film industries have produced outstanding works in this field, from Mexico’s groundbreaking “Doña Herlinda and Her Son” (1985) to Argentina’s commercial hit “Plata quemada” (Burned Money, 2000). The films reviewed here look at various angles of the gay and lesbian experiences. “Perfume de violetas nadie te oye” (Violet Perfume No One is Listening), “Buenos Aires 100 km” and “Glue” share the theme of adolescence as the pivotal years for those who struggle with their sexual orientation. “Tan de repente” (Suddenly) looks at a Lesbian couple and their defiant sexual partnership. Finally, a U.S. documentary, “Tal como somos: The Latino GBT Community,” explores the complex issues that Latinos face in their relationships with sexual partners and family members. 

Tal como somos: The Latino GBT Community. (As We Are) (United States, 2007) color. English & Spanish (with Spanish subtitles). 33 mins. Films for the Humanities & Sciences. 2008. DVD. $89.95. DOCUMENTARY	Tan de repente. (Suddenly) (Argentina, 2002) b&w. Spanish (English subtitles). 94 mins. Empire Pictures & First Run Features. 2007. DVD. $26.98. DRAMA
Perfume de violetas  nadie te oye. (Violet Perfume No One  is Listening)  (Mexico, 2000) color. Spanish (English subtitles). 90 mins. TLA Releasing. 2007. DVD. $19.99. DRAMA	Buenos Aires 100 km.  (Argentina, 2004) color. Spanish (English subtitles). Strand Releasing Home Videos. 2007. DVD. $24.99. DRAMA
Glue: Historia adolescente  en medio de la nada. (Glue: Adolescent Story in  the Middle of Nowhere)  (Argentina, 2006) color. Spanish (English subtitles). Picture This! 2006. DVD. $26.95. DRAMA