I want this to be expanded into a feature. I say that because literally the first thing I did when I finished watching this film was to shoot an email off asking if there were plans to turn this into a feature. We need more time with the people on screen and this film covers so much in it's under 20 minute run time that I want to see and hear more.
The film is nominally the story of The Tool Shed a gay bar in Palm Springs California that was turned from a dive bar into a place where anyone could hang out. Its also the story of the gay retirees who moved to Palm Springs and became owners of the bar. It is also the story of the gay community over the last 50 years. It's a glorious tapestry of life and the people who may be driven into the shadows once more.
I was moved to tears several times, beginning with how one woman in the leather scene lost her "family" to AIDS on to the the threats by narrow minded bigots to do terrible things to the object of their hate. Mostly I was moved by how everyone has banded together and found a home and a community in a bar.
This is why I love to cover festivals and just watch everything- because I find wonderous films like this.
Track this film down and see it.
Magnificent!
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