Week 1: Mala Noche (DCP)

Dir. Gus Van Sant(1986); USA, 78m

Starring: Tim Streeter, Doug Cooeyate, Ray Monge

Programmed by: Nayeli

Friday, October 1st at 7:00PM & 9:30PM
Saturday, October 2nd AT 7:00PM & 9:30PM
Sunday, October 3rd AT 3:00PM

“A Dramatic Macho Act”

The best way to describe Gus Van Sant’s 1986 film Mala Noche is as a gay fever dream. Through the disjointed pairing of cuts, dialogue, and camera angles, this black and white film perfectly captures the feeling of rawness. Immediately we start with the inner dialogue of convenience store clerk Walt who professes his love and obsession with Johnny, a Mexican immigrant who he’s just met. Throughout the journey, we get a glimpse of the shitty and thrilling life of these young adults, but the focus stays on the complicated nature and intimacy of their relationships. Kinda like a controversial time capsule, which is emphasized by the inevitable hypocrisy of these men that grew up in a racist, masochistic, and homophobic world. The Spanish captions don’t quite catch the beauty in what is actually said, but the array of Mexican music used for the score makes up for it. Did I mention the writer and director are both from Portland? Make sure not to miss our fall debut with Male Noche, set in our very own city.

*CW: sexual assault*