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Schedule of EventsSpring 2003 |
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In conjunction with the "Really Real" exhibition Gallery 312 will screen "The Beaver Trilogy" a work by cult filmmaker Trent Harris shot in three parts between 1979 and 1985.
"The Beaver Trilogy" features early career performances by Sean Penn and Crispin Glover, performing in drag as Olivia Newton-Dawn and Olivia Neutron Bomb, respectively.
Beginning in 1979 with a chance meeting the filmmaker had with Larry Huff (an aspiring actor in Utah who refers to himself as the "Rich Little of Beaver, UT), the first part in the trilogy focuses on a talent show at Beaver High School with a drag performance by Olivia-obsessed Huff. The result was a free-form documentary of a small town eccentric. The story was refilmed twice with Sean Penn (1981) and Crsipin Glover (1985) playing Huff, with additions to the script including prequel and sequel material which calls into question what was the "true story" of the initial chance encounter. Harris re-edited and released the trilogy in 2000. As a whole, the work operates on many levels exploring: the film media's power of manipulation; the pain of gender identity issues in early adulthood; small town attitudes towards eccentric individuals; and the struggle to achieve at least 15 minutes of fame.
Trent Harris' other works include "Ruben and Ed" also starring Crispin Glover, and "Plan 10 from Outer Space" (starring Karen Black). "The Beaver Trilogy" has been screened at the Sundance Film Festival and was awarded Best Independent Film of 2001 by the Los Angeles Critics Association. Independent Film and Video Magazine called Harris, "One of America's premier cult directors."
More information on Trent Harris's work is at:
Interviews with Harris can be found at these sites:
