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I was once 13
By Dawn | June 2, 2008
I am finally finding the time to write about the Portland Women’s Film Festival (it is midnight! ha! I knew I could squeeze out more time from the day!)
First of all, I love Portland! Portland, Oregon is a beautiful city! It is GREEN and very easy to get around. It has many lovely places to eat and just the vibe is cool.
I arrived late on Saturday night AFTER our San Jose screening. My good friend, of 30 years (!), Jeremy picked me up from the airport.
Let me tell you about Jeremy: I met Jeremy at King Jr. High School in 1979. I wore rainbow suspenders and WHITE carpenter overalls with buttons from the WHO, the Clash, the Rolling Stones, and Devo (and some butterflies thrown in for good measure–this is before Matt Moneymaker invited me to see the GERMS at the Whiskey A-Go-Go the summer of 1979). The summer before, I had convinced my parents to send me to an ALL GIRLS catholic school but hated it! In December of 1978 I BEGGED my parents to send me to the local public school. I was scared I’d get my ass kicked by the mean chola, gang girls (who by the way reminded me of my mean chola cousins!) but they had to be better than the rich Catholic Girls! I was right! I entered King Jr. High and found my way. Jeremy was the first boy I invited to my birthday party. We went rollerskating (I think) and then had a round of spin the bottle in the parking lot of the apartment I lived in…at least that’s how I remember it. Jeremy was sophisticated, knew about music and art, and read as much as I did! He had curly black hair, a sweet voice and funny sense of humor. Star Wars was in there somewhere too! We were in many plays and performances together. We hung out all the way through our senior year in high school. He was a great best guy friend, was never jealous, and we had many great adventures together. He will always have a warm space in my heart.
When I knew I was coming to Portland I knew I had to hang out with Jeremy! How cool it was to stay with him and his amazing and beautiful wife Deah and their two really beautiful, sweet, fun and brilliant kids. It was a priviledge to stay in their home and talk with all of them. I especially loved the game of “Fairy Catcher” that Isadora played with me. She’s 5! What a glorious age. Zander had homework to do but I caught a bit of his 10 year old spirit in the skull and crossbones he drew in chalk on the front porch. My son Rigo and Zander would surely get along. Hanging out with them was the highlight of my trip.
The film festival was sweet. I missed Alison Anders and was disappointed but hopefully I’ll get to meet her elsewhere. She inspired me to make films. The organizers of the film festival Tara and Anna were great! They made me feel welcomed and had lots of treats for us! Tara had coordinated a great panel for our screening with representatives from Girls Inc, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and a local charter school. The short film that opened the screening was really awesome. “First Period” is a short fiction film by an up and coming film maker outta UCLA’s film school. Meanwhile the LARGEST rally in the country for Barack Obama was being held in Portland! I was tempted to miss my own screening. I was impressed we had an audience.
I’ll post photos soon!
Next up from me: The Cesar Chavez Foundation–Peace Jam in LA!!
Also, don’t forget–We’ll be in the DC area for he SILVERDOCs Film Festival June 20-22! Please join us!
Topics: Portland, being 13, festivals, friends, the filmmakers' adolescence |
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