Writing this is so improbable. After the enthusiastic festival screenings and reviews faded, the odds of Pousse Café being seen these many years later is like getting struck by lightning. But thanks to the generous support of ShadowCatcher Entertainment and Executive Producer David Skinner, Pousse Café has been given a new life. My gratitude is unbounded, not just for myself, but for my professional colleagues, friends, family, and the Tampa community, who helped make this film happen.

When I first reviewed the digital transfer of Pousse Café, I hadn’t seen my film since 1999.  A memory-tsunami flooded in: from Lisa McVicker’s graceful, low-budge producing to Erich’s innovative, Super-16 shooting that transformed into stunning 35mm. There was my mother and cousin’s spot-on costumes, designer/friend Keith’s miracle art direction (everything free or on loan), Beatrix’s (Trixi’s) shining screen presence, and my father gamely pivoting from scenic carpenter to playing the shrimp boat captain, when the actor didn’t show up. And the performances of my lead actors, real father and son, Anthony and Dominic.

Working with these two men was a joy, as we explored characters, who, for all of their protective archness and excess, reveal a poignant, father/son relationship that is not predicated on the son’s sexuality. Past the cocktails and dark humor, Rex and Gerald’s relationship was always at the core of the story, the heart of the film.

It’s a gift that this work is now being considered timely, but it’s paradoxical. While there’ve been major strides in LGBT+ life achieving its place in mainstream American culture, it’s clearly not a whole-hearted embrace. We’re witnessing a resurgence of the hateful “otherizing” of members of our human family, not seen since the AIDS epidemic in the 80’s and 90’s.

It's hard to reckon with Dominic and Anthony no longer being here to talk about this, and to enjoy the rediscovery of their lovely performances. Though this film was made in what seems like another lifetime, I hope it speaks for itself and offers a shot of much needed humor and humanity in our divided world.

Warmly,
Susan W.