The Frameline Experience
This time last year all I wanted to do was be in San Francisco. I had planned for a solo 31-hour drive to the Castro but that didn’t happen. Instead, I drove Saint Paul to attend their beautiful Pride for the fourth year. One thing I love about Saint Paul’s pride is that it’s familiar; I get to see so many of my old friends. Though the one thing Saint Paul doesn’t have is the Frameline film festival. Many of the LGBTQIA+ movies I wanted to watch have been screened at this film festival but not available for the general public. I was envious of those who were in attendance of Frameline42 because of the stellar film selection. So, I did what people do my age and went online to look at photos, read reviews, and live vicariously through online strangers.
Fast forward to June 2019, the Castro theater is so much more than what I expected it to be. From the illumination of the Castro sign to the old-style theater there was something that made the theater magical. To me that can only be to the people who maintain and frequent the Castro theater. They fill the large auditorium with a cacophony of their history that make up this beautiful place. My favorite interaction has been with Anita and Emily. Anita and Emily have been married for approximately 35-38 years and have a 32-year old daughter. They both work in the psychological department working until they retire in a few years. I met them by eavesdropping on their conversation of the selection of queer films this year at Frameline. By accident, I verbalized my opinion to their conversation; I was happy they didn’t mind me inter putting. After that we started talking about this year’s festival comparing it to previous years that she had been. Her and her partner have been to the opening night films of almost all the Frameline film events as well as the Fun in Girl shorts. She told me about the Castro before everything got on the internet to which she added “the internet, that’s not my generation.” Anita and Emily have also been going to the pride parade in San Francisco since its inception. She recounted how small everything was compared to now. They used to be able to go from float to float with no problem but that doesn’t happen because there are too many people and cops.
Inside the theater, everyone around me knew the rhythm of how Frameline worked. Everyone first packs into the seats (during opening night almost every seat was filled). Then, the organs play to which is followed by the Frameline festival trailer. With every film that I see and the trailer that accompanies it, everyone always claps. No matter what. After the trailer plays, an introduction to the film is given by one of the Frameline executive board members. After this long process of about 15 minutes the film finally plays. On the day I met Anita and Emily I was alone which is rare as most films are watched by about two to three students. As I walked down the aisle alone, they spotted me right away and asked for me to sit next to them. I learned so much more about them as we talked more before the film. The more I learned about them, the more I became to admire them. They both retained so much of their story and history and I was fortunate enough to get to listen to them. I do hope I get to see them during the pride parade, but I highly doubt it.
The locals who support Frameline truly are amazing, kind and wonderful human beings. Anita and Emily were only just one example of the many interactions I’ve had with the local community and staff members of Frameline. Every experience I have had and continue to have has been so heartfelt and emotional that I can’t help but falling in love with the city. I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to come to San Francisco and get to meet so many beautiful people from all over the world.
