A Marine Story

Dir: Ned Farr, USA, 2010, Digibeta, 93 mins

Alex (Dreya Weber, The Gymnast) is a highly decorated Marine discharged under 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' after being photographed with "a close female friend". She returns to an empty house in her desert hometown,  reconnects with old friends and tries to make a place for herself with the help of arm-wrestling contests and generous amounts of tequila.  Struggling to find direction while she grieves for the career and life that she has been forced to leave behind, Alex's new purpose is found in the unwilling no-hoper Saffron (out actress Paris Pickard), who is facing prison if she doesn’t get through boot camp.  Besieged by small town attitudes and disoriented by civilian life, Alex finds solace in the role of drill sergeant, preparing Saffron for a regimen she misses desperately.

From the team who brought you The Gymnast comes a subtle analysis of DADT and the people it impacts, wrapped in a compelling story.  Weber and Pickard present gritty and honest performances, as sensitive as they are stoic.  Top it all off with ravishing cinematography, and this is a must for queer film fans.

Winner Audience Award and Grand Jury Award, Outfest 2010

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