THE AUSTIN GAY & LESBIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Austin, Texas / August 25—September 7, 2000
Part 1 of 2:
- By Miss Xanna Don't Sordid Lives
"I can't wait to see the reaction from 1200 gay Texans," bubbled Leslie Jordan before the opening night film of the Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival 2000. His starring role in Sordid Lives (www.sordidlives.com) earned him Best Actor at The New York Independent Film and Video Festival and the film itself won Best Feature—Grand Jury Prize. Down here in Austin, we can only imagine what New Yorkers thought of all the crazy, colorful characters crackling off the screen like an egg on our 100-plus degree sidewalks. Because in the heart of Texas, it was like a family reunion and hilariously true to life. Jordan plays Brother Boy Earl Ingram, an exiled member of a zany family institutionalized for 23 years because of his homosexuality and his obsession with impersonating country-western singers. His current obsession is Tammy Wynette, an incarnation that came to him upon her death. His ruthless therapist, played by Rosemary Alexander, is desperate to cure him because she wants to get a book deal, get on Oprah, and get out of their dump hospital. They both want out. But Brother Boy isn't willing to give up Tammy to do it. In an effort to end one of his psych sessions, he insists he must get to his performance in the day room, because he can't disappoint his fans. He quips, "They're crazy, but they're loyal."
 | | ABOUT XANNA
Miss Xanna Don't is a singer/actress, live music-booking agent, and free-lance writer in Austin's thriving gay community. Her wife, Ann Brown, works for Time Warner's local CNN affiliate. They've been together for over six years. Contact: missxanna@yahoo.com |
 Feature Archive | Write for Techno Dyke! |
