By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.5 cats
Director: Kirk Marcolina | Larry Grimaldi
Country: united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 78
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0819875/
Bruce says: “CAMP OUT is a documentary about the first of a kind – a Christian Bible camp for gay teenagers. The camp is Bay Lake Camp in rural Minnesota. These teens are not runaways or problem children; they’re just kids who are trying to reconcile their religion with their sexuality. Most come form stable homes; all are out to their parents. In fact the parents had to consent to their attending the camp.
“The primary players are:
- Scancy age 17; came out at 15.
- Jesse age 17; came out at 15.
- Christine age 16; came out at 13.
- Tim age 15; came out at 13.
- Thomas age 18; came out at 15.
- Spencer age 18; came out at 16.
“The camera follows the participants through a week of activities in the summer of 2004 and the filmmakers capture their feelings at the beginning and at the end of the week. These kids are just regular kids as evidenced by their talk of first crushes, friendships, self images and sexuality. From what we hear, these kids are still virgins and not in a rush to have sex. Most do pine for a meaningful relationship. Several admit to feeling alienated by their peers. The pastors presiding over the camp are gay so role models are close at hand.
“Larry Grimaldi, one of the directors, talked about how the film was made. Each day the filmmakers selected three kids to be miked; to a certain degree, those decisions determined the shape and content of the film. Lots of group activities were also shot so we do get a view of the general interaction and camp residents who are not featured in the film.
“The kids are quite likeable. The problem is that towards the end of the film it becomes obvious that the film has nowhere to go. Few anxieties are resolved and there are few epiphanies. We do learn a bit about what has happened to some of the kids since they were at camp; but most still live at home and have not had a chance to spread their wings.
“Making the viewer aware that such a camp exists is the best thing about the film. There is a lot going on out there that most of us know nothing about. 3 cats
“CAMP OUT was screened at the 2006 Provincetown International Film Festival.”
Michael says: “CAMP OUT, part of the Youth & Diversity Program at the Provincetown International Film Festival, is a delightful documentary about a gay, Christian summer camp in Minnesota. Directors Kirk Marcolina and Larry Grimaldi spent
a week with kids aged 13 – 18 at The Naming Project. The cameras were running constantly, capturing teens struggling not so much with their sexual identities, but with the reconciliation of their identities with their strong Christian faiths. Marcolina and Grimaldi pared down 65 hours of footage to present a touching and powerful portrait of kids who are no different from their heterosexual counterparts save for this huge disconnect between their sexual identities and their deepest beliefs. The kids are varied and personable and head counselor, Pastor Ray has his own powerful story to tell. Larry Grimaldi was in house for a post-film Q&A and he talked extensively about the film’s shoot, the prospects for distribution, and the difficulties these kids face. 4 cats”