A Moment of Self-Reassurance: Cultural Affirmation and the Movie-Going Experience

Title card from R. Kelly's rap opera Trapped in the Closet (2005-2012)

I never would have thought that attending a screening of R. Kelly's hiphopera Trapped in the Closet, along with sing-a-longs to some of his favorite hits and the film itself, and experiencing all of this in an independent art house in the Five College/Western Massachusetts/Pioneer Valley region (wow, I didn't realize that this area had so many names for it....talk about identity politics.  No wonder why living in this region comes with so many challenges) would be synonymous with affirming culture.

This past Friday, I accompanied several of my closest friends to a late night showing of the first 22 chapters of R. Kelly's project.  Though apprehensive from the moment that I found out that Amherst Cinema was going to be screening this, I had a great time!  Yes, I still find the stock characters, heightened stereotypes, and how tropes are confronted in this endeavor are problematic.  However, it was one of the first times that I felt as if I could enjoy myself in a public place in the "valley."

The experience was filled with everything you typically wouldn't find happening in a theatre like Amherst Cinema, I think, anywhere in the country whether its in the city or the country (region does play an important role in participating in a live entertainment experience).  There are norms and implied rules that are to be followed when you attend a film at Amherst Cinema or any art house in the country.  Cell phones are to be turned off, talking with your neighbor is prohibited, and everyone must stay in their self-selected seat for the duration of the movie with the exception of answering the occasional (and sometimes disruptive - for both you and other audience members) call of nature.  All of these rules went out the window that night!  We were asked to dance to the three music videos that were played prior to the feature of the evening, cell phones were out for the duration of the screening with people either taking photos of themselves and others dancing and singing the familiar lyrics or capturing footage from the film, and there was talking among groups of people during the film either serving a forecast of the outcome of the various plot lines or yelling at the screen, communicating the distaste for a choice made by one of the characters.  A regular at Amherst Cinema, it felt so nice to be able to really enjoy the film and the experience rather than worry about whether or not my neighbor is policing my friends and I to ensure that we don't ruin the movie for them.

I've been very outspoken since Trapped in the Closet premiered in 2005 about how problematic it is.  I'm going to admit that I'm a little bit of a bigot because guess what, I am proud to say that I've seen all 22 chapters multiple times (watching it got me through time that I was trapped at home - pun intended - with a severe injury that kept me off of my feet for months).  As a scholar and critic, I can talk to the cows come home and pigs fly about what this project does to amplify stereotypes rather than challenge them.  But, the spectator in me found Trapped in the Closet to be extremely entertaining for the fact that, despite the problematic stereotypes and tropes, I was able to relate to many of the characters and their experiences given that (though heightened) I know someone who recently got out of prison, have had numerous nosy neighbors, engage in gossip about the town harlot every once in a while, and have encouraged someone to follow the call when the doors of the church opened.

R. Kelly was on to something when he created Trapped in the Closet.  Who would have known that watching it at Amherst Cinema while in the company of mostly undergraduate students from Amherst College who identify as people of color would reaffirm that my experience in the body I embody is valid, even if the representations are troublesome?!  This experience provided me with the comfort and relief that I needed after an extremely stressful week and reassured me that I really need to be around "my people" every once in a while.

I'd like to swallow my pride and words utter many weeks ago that Trapped in the Closet has not earned the status of being labelled a "masterpiece" and cultural phenom.  Hell, South Park parodied it in an episode several seasons ago.  Didn't I declare that once Sesame Street or South Park has parodied you that you've marked your importance in U.S. Culture?  Congratulations, R. Kelly!  You have and will continue to rise beyond your "piss on you" days.  Continue on and prosper.  Now, onto seeing what awaits us in the next 11 chapters of Trapped in the Closet.

Dear Detroit: Hello, My Friend!

A photo of the city I call "home."

Detroit, my hometown, is in this "interesting" moment of both standstill and motion.  While the city, as a whole, is collapsing, there are small pockets in the city that are undergoing rejuvenation, thanks to gentrification (BTW, I don't think that all gentrification is bad, especially if it is happening in abandoned neighborhoods like many of the projects that are currently happening in Detroit).  The largest municipality to file bankruptcy in the history of American debt, you can find stories about Detroit's recent filing everywhere in the news.  From Time to The Economist and even Detroit's own newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News, everyone's getting their bite of the story and offering their own interpretation. 

In all honesty, Detroit, at least in the neighborhoods, has been recreating itself for decades.  From the Heidelberg Project to the recent increase in film production tax credits, Detroiters have been invested in creating a new industry and newer, more sustainable sources of income since the auto industry departed many decades ago (I think that the Big 3 slowly started to strip away from us even before I was born).  Detroiters doing it for themselves is not a new concept.  It's just now making headlines because the city government is now getting called out for it's insensible and irresponsible practices over the past 30+ years.

For those who know me best, you know that I "call out" my city all of the time for mistakes and bad decisions.  Hell, isn't that what we do for the ones we love?!  

One way to call out my city is to embrace the things that I love about it.  A couple of days ago, I spotted a list entitled "32 Signs You Grew Up in the Metro Detroit Area" and found that I could not connect to anything on that list.  In response to that list, I've compiled this list of things that are special about Detroit.  You can interpret it how you like.  It can either be "you know you're from Detroit when" or "you're in love with the city if you've done five or more of these things."  For me, I claim this list to be "you can't claim Detroit as home until you've done at least 4 of the following."  For those who have lived in Detroit, were born in Detroit, or have visited Detroit more than once, which ones have you done?  For those who haven't visited Detroit before or lately, make sure you choose a handful of these and make time to do them while you're in town.

1. Enjoyed a casual drive down Jefferson Avenue
2. Attended a wedding on Belle Isle  
   
3. Ordering a Hot-n-Ready from Little Caesars
4. Never been able to get a table at Slow's BBQ
5. Planned a trip to camp out at the Thanksgiving Day Parade
6. Remembered when Macy's was Hudsons 
   
7. Sang karaoke at Temple Bar
8. Remembers Tubby's Submarines
9. Remembers the Boblo boat
10. Reps Vernors like you were hired as the product's spokesperson
11. Had to decide between grabbing a coney dog at Lafayette or American 
    
12. Attended a festival in Hart Plaza, yes even attending the UniverSoul Circus counts
13. Either attended or watched the Dream Cruise on television
14. Rooted for the Lions despite never bringing home a championship trophy
15. When the Tigers' home was on Michigan and Trumbull
16. Ate a sack of White Castle burgers
17. Remembers, attended, or marched in the Broadstreet Parade
18. Remembers the marching bands of King, Cody, Cass Tech, Cooley, Central, and Mackenzie High Schools (please let me know if I'm missing any) 
    
19. Taken either a Checker or City Cab anywhere in the city
20. Played an arcade game when you waited for your food at a Coney Island (this is a special shout out to my dad)
21. Hung out at Northland, Eastland, or Fairlane Malls either on the weekends or skipped school
22. Went to the Michigan State Fair and spent about $50 on a family of 3 (including admission and parking) prior to even stepping foot past the gate
23. Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts and spend most of your trip in Rivera Court (FYI:  for all residents of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland County, due to a recently passed mileage, you get into the museum for free!  Take advantage of it!) 
    
24. Get excited about riding the Detroit Zoo train
25. Keep tabs on the meterperson (I have no idea what the proper name of this job is) in Midtown/Cass Corridor/Wayne State University area or Downtown to make sure that your car doesn't get a ticket
26. Spend an evening at one of the casinos and don't spend any money
27. Watch the fireworks either on television from home or along the riverfront
28. Cannot recall when Carmen Harlan or Chuck Gaidica started their news broadcast careers
29. Remember when Bill Bonds was on Channel 7 News
30. Saw an episode of Kelly and Company 
31. Danced in their living rooms to an episode of The New Dance Show or The Scene (now, y'all must also remember the dude who wore fishnet shirts on The New Dance Show!  He had one in every color of the neon rainbow!  "Don't hurt 'em!") 
    
32. Shopped at a store in the Fisher Building or the Guardian building 
33. Detroiters, please feel free to add your own!*******

For those who are current Detroit residents and are concerned about the state of the city, do at least one thing on this list.  At least, it will keep you engaged with others in the city and (even in a small way) participate in local commerce.  Trust me, that 50 cents on the People Mover or buying a small bag of Hot Better Made Potato Chips will go a long way.  Support your own!  For people who are vying Detroit as their future home, please consider how you engage with the city.  Think about where you will invest your money, both in a home and in commerce (shopping in the suburbs doesn't count).  Get to know your (future) neighbors.  Really consider where you're moving.  For those who are visiting Detroit, venture the city a little bit.  Don't let the (somewhat fabled) crime statistics keep you locked up in your hotel room near the airport.  Visit one of the historic neighborhoods, like Boston Edison or Grandmont-Rosedale, and enjoy its beautiful, breath-taking homes.  BTW, Grandmont-Rosedale is filled with people who love and adore their neighborhood.    

Though I may have rambled a lot, trust that what I've said here comes from an honest and loving place.  But, for those who may doubt what I have to say (especially since I don't live there now) and may want to dispute how I said it, know that I have love for my city and have faith in every bone of my body that it will recreate itself.  It doesn't have to wait for a "savior" (we see what's happening with the Emergency Manager).  We don't even have to save ourselves for we never perished.  For those of you who doubt Detroit, it's your loss.  For those who still believe, thank you!

Americans Abroad: An Online Film Festival

WOW!  It's been a while since I've blogged.  Try March...many months ago.  I'm sorry that I was away for so long.  With full-time work and graduate school, I got lost in all of those obligations.  With summer upon us and plenty of time for me as I am not working as much, I will have more time to blog and I am very much looking forward to that.

Here's the first blog post of the series entitled "Online Film Festivals Curated by Me."

 Americans' experiences abroad and its discontent.  I've always wanted to write on this very subject for there's a bountiful list of films that deal with this topic, especially films that I've viewed recently.  Do you find it highly ironic that many of the films that have made this list are recent Woody Allen films?!

I became interested in this topic when I first saw Julie Delpy's film 2 Days in Paris.  Out of his element, Julie's boyfriend Jack (played by Adam Goldberg), who is from the U.S., was tested throughout his entire trip abroad.  Though I loved the film, it made me really uncomfortable (yet intrigued) watching Jack feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar settings.  From a visit with Julie's parents to an outing at Julie's father's art gallery opening, Jack was put on display regularly given his naivety and unwillingness to learn new things and appreciate diversity.  His masculinity was tested as well, given that there's a lingering stereotype about both American and European men, one being more feminine than the other.

After watching this film, I became interested in other films where other Americans travel to unfamiliar territory.  Interestingly enough, it was very easy to find other films on this topic, with many of the films made in the late 2000s to early 2010s.

Here's a list of suggested films to view that are related to the theme of Americans Abroad:

Vicky Cristina Barcelona, dir. Woody Allen, 2008, United States

A romantic comedy/drama written and directed by Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona centers on two women, Vicky (played by Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (played by Scarlett Johansson) during their trip to Spain.  Both women become smitten with Juan Antonio (played by Javier Bardem), an artist whose still madly in love with his ex-wife Maria Elena (played by Bardem's real-life wife Penelope Cruz; they weren't married at the time of production for the film).  This film is perfect for the list because we get to see two very different perspectives on traveling abroad through two very different experiences.  Vicky, whose a graduate student studying Catalan identity and an engaged woman, approaches her experience in Spain completely different from that of Cristina, a single woman whose open and excited to explore new things and meet new people.  Vicky's practicality and conservative attitude don't shield her from what she ends up experiencing.  Which character do you think would have the most enriching, life-changing, eye-opening experience:  Vicky or Cristina?

Midnight in Paris, dir. Woody Allen, 2011, Spain/United States

The only fantasy film on this list, Midnight in Paris stars Owen Wilson as Gil Pender, an unfulfilled, unhappy Hollywood screenwriter whose preparing to marry his fiancee, Inez (played by Rachel McAdams) and finish writing his first novel.  The film takes us to the beginning of Gil's (dreaded) trip to France with Inez and her parents.  Once he stumbles upon a 1920s Peugeot Type 176 car and some of his favorite writers from that era, Gil's life is transformed (or so we think...again, I'm not trying to give the movie away).


To Rome with Love, dir. Woody Allen, 2012, United States/Italy/Spain

To Rome with Love was filled with multiple storylines but the two most relevant to this list of films is the one dealing with Hayley (played by Alison Pill) and John (played by Alec Baldwin).  Though I do not want to give away the film, I want to recommend paying close attention to John's story arc, especially given that it quickly becomes about Jack (played by Jesse Eisenberg).  Director Woody Allen makes an appearance in the film as Hayley's father, Jerry.  A refreshing role for Allen, this character possesses the many nuisances and quirks that we've come to love about Allen in real life.  However, it is laced with uncomfortability in the unfamiliar.

2 Days in Paris, dir. Julie Delpy, 2007, France/Germany

There is so much to love about 2 Days in Paris!  Where shall I begin?  First off, this film is on several lists of mine including the "constantly remind my friends to watch this film and call me immediately after viewing it and then recommend it to others" list.  The relevant fact about this film that is applicable to this particular list is the evolution or deconstruction of Jack, a character played by actor Adam Goldberg.  Jack, Marion's boyfriend, is traveling abroad for the first time.  He feels out of sorts.  Jack is put in many situations where both his "manhood" and patience are tested.  I do not want to give the film away (given that I am recommending it on this list), but this non-traditional romantic comedy (it has an unpredictable ending) is intriguing in that it puts a male character, a figure who tends to be the shining hero with no flaws in most films, in some very unsettling situations, some that I think might have been unfair to the actor playing the role (there's some gossip that Adam Goldberg not only didn't appreciate his character in 2 Days in Paris, but when asked to reunite with Delpy for the remake, he declined).  

The Darjeeling Limited, dir. Wes Anderson, 2007, United States

This is a film that I haven't watched yet, so we'll be watching it together!  From what I've gathered in the synoposis for the film available on it's IMDB page, The Darjeeling Limited should definitely be on this list.  Here's what IMDB offered as a brief synopsis for the film:  "One year after their father's funeral, three brothers travel across India by train in an attempt to bond with one another."  The film stars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman.  From the title (Darjeeling, a town in the Indian state of West Bengal, is famous for its tea industry...let's hope that I don't hear too many references to tea and Indians - insert face palm), poster, and cast list alone, I think this movie might get "high ratings" on the American Exceptionist scale.  But, honestly, I want to be proven wrong with this film.  Adapting one of my favorite lines from the film Warm Bodies:  "don't be stupid, don't be stupid, don't be stupid!"  I don't like to presume anything, but these days with cultural products, I can set my expectation's bar pretty low.

19 Kids and Counting:  Duggars Do Asia

This last selection happens to be a reality television series.  Airing on TLC, 19 Kids and Counting has moved its 10th season to Asia.  The family was invited abroad for a handful of interviews and television appearances.  I've had an opportunity to watch one episode from this current season and I must say that it sums up pretty much everything that I have to say about Americans Abroad. 

Here's a couple of books (both fiction and nonfiction selections) on Americans Abroad that can be read alongside with viewing these films:

1. Tsukioka, Dorian.  How to Travel Abroad Even If You Are a Stupid American:  10 Tips to Keep You From Disgracing Yourself or Your Country, 2013 (published by Amazon, this book is available digitally on Kindle)
2. Vines, Carolyn E.  Black and Abroad: Traveling Beyond the Limitations of Identity.  2010

Visit Goodreads for their list of popular books on traveling abroad.

I hope that watching these films and reading these books together with friends and family will begin some interesting discussions.  Please feel free to share in the comments section on your experiences watching any of these films or readings any of these books.  I don't want to (re)present Americans as being ignorant, stupid, or selfish when traveling abroad, however, this is a theme that continues to come up in literature and film.  I definitely understand the "uncomfortability" that can come along with being amongst the "unfamiliar."  However, one can enjoy learning about the world around us and the beauty that is available to us when we step outside of our "familiar."

So, for those who are looking to travel abroad, remember, don't let your American Exceptionalism show, for we are guests in other people's homelands.  Be prepared to learn a lot.  Take on the scenery like you're from the area (i.e., do not rent limos or hire taxi services when you know that people in the area may not be able to afford it), try new foods, visit the non-touristy parts of the region.

Here's a couple of questions that I'd like to pose to everyone.  Please do not address these questions until after watching most (or all) of the films as it would be difficult to do so otherwise.  Are any of these characters your typical protagonist?  Do they experience significant change and if so, what is it? If there is not significant change, why do you think that is?

Next up:  Important and Influential Women Filmmakers - writers, directors, producers....oh my!!!

Online Film Festivals Curated by Me

I'm really excited for the next few blog posts!  One of my dream jobs is to work as a freelance film festival curator.  Instead of waiting for the opportunity to come my way, why not seize the moment now?!  I've decided to curate lists of films based on similar themes and topics, creating mini film festivals for people to enjoy at home with friends.  The only thing that I ask is that you rent or purchase these films rather than download them for free online.  As an artist, I respect the craft and the effort (both time, personal, and financial resources) that goes into producing these films.  To be fair, I will predominately recommend independent films rather than projects with large budgets and large recoups via the box office.

The themes I'm exploring includes:

• Americans Abroad
• Women Filmmakers
• Black Love
• Romantic Comedies that challenge the typical tropes of the genre
• Documentaries
• Fictional portrayals of important political figures and social movements

I will also recommend articles and books that you and your friends can read as educational enrichment, points of engagement beyond spectating, similar to offerings of in-person film festivals.

If you have topics that you'd like to recommend, please feel free to post a comment or e-mail me at nmariey01@gmail.com.

Thanks and I look forward to sharing these films with you!