Coming to DVD next Tuesday, June 5: BEAR NATION
Malcolm Ingram’s exploration of a uniquely gay subculture made its premiere at SXSW in 2010. In addition to screening at numerous LGBT film fests, including NewFest, Frameline, and Outfest, among others, the doc was presented at numerous bear events around the US, and picked up a jury award at the Atlanta Film Festival in 2011.
Ingram’s previous documentary, SMALL TOWN GAY BAR, provided insight and inspiration as it demonstrated the need for community, even against a backdrop of intolerance. In a similar vein, his newest film is focused on belonging – specifically, the brotherhood that has formed among gay men with a particular body type that is typically not celebrated in either the mainstream straight or gay communities. While those well-versed in the gay community may know what bears are – generally, larger, hairier gay men – the general public most likely does not. Interestingly, it’s this latter group that Ingram’s film may best serve, providing exposure to an alternate conception of gay male sexuality that embraces a specific conception of masculinity that might be surprising to straight women and men who associate male homosexuality with effeminacy. The presence of Ingram’s good friend, filmmaker Kevin Smith, as both executive producer and on-screen “honorary bear” further emphasizes this link to non-gay audiences. This is not to say that gay audiences haven’t responded to the doc, of course, but it may be a little “Bears 101” for those in the know. Additionally, as is clear from the film in its discussion of subgroups of bears – muscle bears vs fat bears, for example – there is cliquish behavior based on what one is attracted to which makes the audience for this film fairly self-selecting within the larger gay male community. As a whole, Ingram offers a broad view of a subculture that challenges stereotypes of gay men both within and outside of the gay community, explores the significance of finding one’s own community, and celebrates the power of acknowledging and accepting one’s body type and sexual preferences.
what (not) to doc 