LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Student CAMP: The Low-Down on (Independent) Rehoboth (Independent) Beach Independent Film Festival |
by Adam |
It seems to me that, when discussing the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, it is impossible to use the word "independent" too many times. In fact, it is probably impossible to use it quite enough. I think that more than any other thing which one may say about the festival, by and large what is most notable is that it is organized and supported by free-thinkers, people who are not afraid to challenge conventional ideas or manners. And perhaps for this one reason more than any other, I feel that the Film Festival is genuinely an art festival, in which one may see and experience work from some of the most promising personalities working in cinema today. During the festival, I had the good fortune of being able to see two films which were sponsored by AIDS Delaware and CAMPsafe. They were films which were specifically aimed at a young gay male audience. Much to my joy, they were absolutely wonderful films. My absolute favorite of the two was 24 Nights, which was an absolutely brilliant and touching comedy. However, I have absolutely no intention of writing a film review. Criticism has never been my forte, anyhowI have been told on multiple occasions that I am simply too cruel to ever have success in such a field. What I really want to accomplish is the posing of a very particular question. First, the lead-up: 1. AIDS Delaware and CAMPsafe sponsor two films aimed at a young gay male audience. 2. AIDS Delaware and CAMPsafe advertise these films to the hilt, not only doing all they could to get the word out, but also by preparing fantastic little grab bags full of essential stuff. 3. AIDS Delaware and CAMPsafe not only sponsor two films, but they sponsor two really fantastic films. So here is my question: Where the hell were you people? I mean seriously, I don't live in a box (nor a tunnel, nor a chunnel, nor a top hat), and I know damn well that I am not the only gay male in Delaware under the age of 20. However, to attend one of these youth films, one would think that I was, since I, and my mostly-straight friends, were for the most part the only young people there. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to point the bony finger. I know that things come up, that people get busy, that everyone has to do laundry at least once a monthalong with a whole slew of other excuses. But when such fantastic organizations go out of their way in order to try to support gay teens (perhaps one of the most unsupported and under represented sub-groups in America), I feel like it is our solemn duty to take notice and show our thanks by at least attending. The director of AIDS Delaware was kind enough to introduce the film 24 Nights on Sunday. During his introduction, he made mention of a very startling statistic, which amounted, if I remember correctly, to the following: Of the gay males who are 18 years of age at this time, 50% will be HIV positive by the time they turn 30. When he said this, I thought that I would die right therethat is an absolutely horrifying statistic, and suggests that many, many of my gay friendsand your gay friendscould very well become a number and a victim before they ever reach their prime. Later, after the film, Bill Sievert of CAMPsafe approached me about the possibility of organizing a youth outreach in the near future as a CAMP outreach program. With this statistic still weighing heavy on my mind, I heartily agreed that it would be a fantastic and worthwhile endeavor. But it is not possible for CAMPsafe to organize a youth outreach, if we, as youth, will not support it. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that all of this is the result of young people not coming to the film festival. I am merely saying that the lack of attendance at the film festival seems to suggest that our generation is not taking notice of the problems and responsibilities that will face us as the new queer population in the very near future. And if we do not take action to show that we want to be accepted as people and viable citizensand if we do not take action to be more safe and conscientious in our sexual activitiesthen I fear that the future has the potential to be very grim. Not that I believe that will be the case. If I did, I wouldn't bother writing all of this. I write this instead as a wake up call. The adult population is finally taking notice of usis finally giving us the attention that as a generation we claim to so desperately want and need. The least we can do is to take notice and join in. We not only owe it to them, but also, we owe it to ourselves. Adam is a senior in high school. In his free time, he enjoys studying, writing poetry, playing the piano, acting, and reading anything and everything. He welcomes email at admcrow@zdnetmail.com. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 15, Nov. 24, 1999 |