Disobedience 2018 - R

 I personally know a lady who tried very hard to please her religious father. After many years she gave up trying, and decided to please herself.  She pleased herself by choosing her own carrier path, her own sexual lovers and her own life partners. Her father died without giving her a blessing. She has had a  good life but remains haunted by never receiving her father's blessing.
This is also the story of the excellent film "Disobedience. " It contains remarkable performances of two people , academy award winner Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams. It also contains a very passionate and erotic scene of two women making love. However this film is more than the erotic story of two women. The film captures the battle between western religion and the freedom to choose sexual pleasure.  This is a battle. This battle is led by male religious leaders and started 3000 years ago. It continues to this day.  The film's conclusion (spoiler alert) has a most satisfying resolution to this battle. Unfortunately,  this satisfying conclusion is most rare in real life.
Oh, about the lady described above, the reason I know this lady’s story is because she is my wife.

Available on Netflix 10/22/19 Paul Bray

Paris is Burning, 1990 - R

I strongly recommend the documentary Paris is Burning on Netflix. It portrays the 1980’s transsexual, transgender world of New York City. It’s focus is primarily on people of color and highlights the world of “Balls.” Balls are event extravagances. Balls involve meetings where people display costumes, dances, acrobatics, performances or simply styles of walks. Trophies are awarded by judges in categories. This groundbreaking film is hilarious, tragic and inspiring. The attenders who are black, Latino, gay and transgender, rightfully view themselves as “outcasts” from the greater society. Their common story is rejection by family. However, this culture of Balls is a creation of new families, rewards, praise and acknowledgement. Vanity Fair reviewed the re-release of this film by noting “ It’s no wonder that in addition to being cherished and debated over the years, Paris Is Burning has often been taught in colleges and beyond, and is text for debates about the meanings of gender, race, class, and sexuality.”

Available on Netflix 10/22/19 Paul Bray