CURVE MAGAZINE

JUNE 2008

Murder and Mayhem:
Queer Films Offer Reckless Abandon on a Platter


Review by Candice Moore

Salome
Available through CreateSpace

Alexia Anastasio stars as Salome in this silent short film based on Oscar Wilde's 1896 tragedy of unrequited love. With an all-girl cast, this version plays like a mistress-maid romance gone awry (as they too often do). The blue backlighting, minimal set and intertitles frame Anastasio's most subtle and severe movements as she falls at Iokanaan's feet, worshipfully kissing up the curve of her legs, only to be shoved away. Timing and movement are everything in this ballet of domination, submission and revenge. Butch warriors, belly dancers disrobing for Queen Harod and bacchanalian celebrations of wine and revelry grace this naughty yet classic of a morality tale that would drive even Oscar wild. Head will, and do, roll. Anastasio and Kevin Sean Michaels' remake skillfully drives home the notion that necrophilia can't buy you love, and you should always pamper and heed the queen. (alexiaanastasio.com)