Hot Pink Shorts

It’s time to rep some hometown talent:  Michael Mew, queer short film director.  Hailing from Vancouver, BC, this movie-maker has quite the career behind him to date.  Six shorts under his belt (please don’t misinterpret that statement) and a few potential features on the docket, Mew is keeping active and influential in the west coast film community. 

Most recently, Mew’s Q-Case premiered at the 13th Annual Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.  Running just over 17 mins., Q-Case is an homage to X-Files, but all queered up.  It’s about two Special Agents (one of whom, may or may not be dragged out in a fabulous red wig) who investigate the presence of “Extra Queerestrials”.  Mew says it’s aimed at anyone who wants to have a good laugh… and when it’s about hot guys chasing gayliens, it’s certain that laughs are in store.

The film was shot here in the Davie Village as well as on location in the Caribbean Islands.  What started out as a by-the-beach project with Mew and his Daniel-Craig-looking friend, Q-Case turned into quite the psy-fi, cinematic short.  But creating good, creative material isn’t something new for Mew.  The UBC Film and Theatre Grad has been making movies for years. 

Perhaps his most notable product of late, Peking Turkey (2006), has snagged five audience awards at festivals around the globe.  This short’s about the newly engaged Chris Wong and his French Canadian boyfriend Pierre.  Wong takes “homo” home for the holidays, for introductions and a traditional Chinese Christmas.  Trilingual hilarity ensues.

The timeline continues: In 2005 Mew made Blur (a film about the repercussions of a hedonistic party lifestyle).  2004 saw the creation of Reunion (re: high school jocks and life-changing haircuts), while 2003 brought Steven (a closet kid, his right-wing protesting parents, and a liberating Pride Parade experience).  It’s been a busy decade.  

All this stems from Going West, a 25 min. short that Mew produced in ’02.  It tackles the Elite Gay Liberation Army (fictional, I hope and think), and is currently being adapted into a feature length’r!  Stay tuned for updates on Mew’s work.  In the meantime, feel free to post fan praise, critic comments, or local gaylien spottings below.