By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Malcolm Ingram
Country: united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 81
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0492487/
Chris says: “Contrary to what popular television shows like Will and Grace tell us, not all gay people live in hip, urbane neighborhoods. Malcolm Ingram’s documentary counters this stereotype by chronicling two gay bars in backwoods Mississippi. One, Rumors, stands on the outskirts of a town of less than 1700; the other, Crossroads, once stood within the city limits of relatively larger Meridian. Rumors still thrives, although its owner is considering selling the business. Crossroads, on the other hand, closed in 2003 after devolving into a rather seedy establishment. We learn of its history, but also watch as a lesbian couple work to revamp/reopen the place.
“We get to know many of the bars’ regulars—most notably Alicia, an engaging male drag performer who alternates between emceeing shows at Rumors and working sans costume as a veterinarian’s assistant. We also get a sense of how uncommonly diverse (and proud) this community is. Unlike most bars in larger cities, both places here act as safe havens for not only gay men, but also lesbians, transsexuals, and gay people of color—that last one is particularly significant, as the film tells us most straight bars in the area are still racially segregated.
“Ingram doesn’t shy away from exploring the rampant homophobia in this region; he interviews anti-gay figures Fred Phelps (of the laughable God Hates America campaign) and Tim Wildmon of the American Family Association; along with a sequence about the violent murder of one of Rumors’ young patrons, the film expertly conveys how dangerous this environment can be in general for gays. Before long, you understand just how vital these bars are; outside them, being ‘out’ is not an option.
“Technically speaking, SMALL TOWN GAY BAR isn’t perfect. Even at 81 minutes, some scenes feel a little rough and could’ve been edited down. But on the whole, it does a good job telling its story. 4 cats”