aGLIFF Daily Dispatch #1: Opening Night

The Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (aGLIFF) opened Monday with Shamim Sarif's directorial debut, I Can't Think Straight. The romantic comedy based on Sarif's eponymous book plays surprisingly light despite potentially heavy subject matter. When a mutual friend introduces introverted Leyla (Sheetal Sheth) and outspoken Tala (Lisa Ray), sparks fly.

Muslim Indian Leyla has been dating Ali for years, while Tala, a Christian Palestinian dividing her time between London and Jordan, is on her fourth engagement.  As the two women get to know each other, it's clear it's more than a friendship forming, but both women are reluctant to admit their attraction and follow their hearts in more ways than one. 

The film stays firmly in the realm of rom-com, with occassional teases into erotica, but never really crosses that particular border. Even the family conflict stay light, with somewhat understanding if perplexed fathers, and caricature mothers. Sheth and Ray have sparkling chemistry, which makes the film a sweet confection, instead of a heavy drama.

There's a musical quality, hinting at Bollywood, and with an ultimate happy ending, which makes the film an excellent choice for the start of aGLIFF.

Last night, only one film played; tonight, choices have to be made.  A Place To Live: The Story Of Triangle Square, a documentary about senior housing for the GLBT community, and the feature The Baby Formula screen at the same time, followed by Hollywood, Je T'aime and a SXSW 2009 selection, Sissyboy. 

I haven't seen Sissyboy, but I did have an opportunity to see  A Place To Live: The Story Of Triangle Square. It's a strong documentary about a neglected demographic that has a chance to get affordable housing specifically for the aging GLBT community, but the demand is so high there are applications to participate in a lottery for the apartments. You'll find yourself rooting for your favorites and hoping they're among the lucky few.

aGLIFF runs from Tuesday September 8 through Sunday, September 13, 2009. For up-to-date information, follow the fest on Twitter.