Celebrating 16 Years of Film.Biz.Fans.
by Dana Harris
July 13, 2012 4:00 PM
1 Comment
  • |

John Waters Tells Outfest Opening Night To 'ACT BAD'

Ricki Lake and John Waters at the 30th annual Outfest. Angela Brinskele
"Gay people are my saints," said John Waters.

Of course, the taboo-breaking filmmaker was also something of a demigod for the audience at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theatre, where he was receiving Outfest's 16th Annual Achievement Award at the film festival's opening night July 12.

Following an introduction by his former "Hairspray" starlet, Ricki Lake, the filmmaker, artist and raconteur had to wait out an extended standing ovation before he could begin his speech. He praised the gay community for its achievements, but also gently chided them to not lose the energy that created them.

In the spirit of ACT UP, he also advocated that they consider "ACT BAD. Terrorism isn't always a bad word, if you're using humor and not bullets," he said.

Among his modest proposals: "When studios say your movie is 'too gay,' yell out the grosses of their hetero flops." And for uptight politicians: "Send drag queens to his house to hurl fashion insults at his wife."

He closed by saying that 50 years of creating outsider art, "I'm tired of being an outsider." However, he already had a plan ready: "I want to be an insider -- and an outlaw."

You might also like:

1 Comment

  • Bruce Spencer | July 14, 2012 10:27 PMReply

    SAVE OUR SYRIA
    (SOS)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 13, 2012)

    Timothy Kessler, a recent resident of Washington, DC , has announced he is hiring a private army to end the genocide in Syria by capturing President Bashar al-Assad and taking him to The Hague for trial. There he will be tried for the slaughter of thousands of innocent men, women and children.
    He said, “Hopefully, this monster will be given a swift trial and then hanged. His unspeakable and reprehensible misdeeds must be stopped now. While the shelling and suffering are watched by millions on television, the impotent United Nations does nothing but engage in mindless babel. I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any longer!”
    Mr. Kessler had put out a discreet call to veterans from the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars to join his crusade. They will serve as mercenaries and he is also footing the bill for transportation, food, housing, weapons and ammunition. He is not willing to reveal where this Special Forces Unit will train, nor how or when they will strike. His commander is a decorated retired Brigadier General.
    Kessler’s German background includes a grandfather who served in World War II with Col. Otto Skorzeny, until he defected to join the French Underground. His diary reveals the intimate details for Skorzeny’s capture of Benito Mussolini.
    “I can only say,” he continued, “that for the past six weeks I’ve had confidential meetings with former Navy Seals, Green Berets and CIA operatives. We have developed a secret attack strategy along with an exit plan for the highly skilled brave soldiers and sailors . They are willing to put their lives on the line, as will loyal Syrian rebels helping us launch this covert operation.”
    Mr. Kessler admits he will face some chagrin from the White House and Pentagon for revealing his intentions. But he adds, “These are times when decent citizens have to take action. Otherwise we are all guilty of malfeasance and obstruction of justice, standing by as thousands are dying from bullets, bombs and deprivation in Syria.”
    Although this Special Forces Unit has already reached its full complement of volunteers, applications for substitutes will be accepted on a website presently under construction.