WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Reflections on what has been, what is, and possibly what could be. It’s these greater ideas about our lives that can bring either comfort or inward torment, for are we not the sum of the choices we make, the paths we’ve tread, the people we’ve connected with? What becomes most fulfilling is when we find that we can go through said reminiscing and expound on the basic truths about what has been learned as we continue forward. For 70-year old, African-American gay man Hank Major, aka: Hattie Louise, this journey through the past and how it has impacted his present, even future, remains as poignant and clear as it has ever been.
Choosing with very unfiltered, blunt honesty to delve into his world, the Philadelphia-born Hattie recollects past days when his sole focus was to go “cruising” in the city for potential lovers, a lifestyle rife with many kinds of potential dangers from rough partners and other sketchy individuals, needing to have a willingness of knowing when to draw the line even despite seeking out multiple beaus on more than one occasion and traversing a precariously carefree state of being. Yet, in it all, he came upon one man named Allen Brevard who has since been with him as a faithful companion for over 35 years, even in the face of Hattie’s ongoing penchant for “cruising”. There remains a connection, a down-to-earth realization, for Hattie and Allen that love knows no boundaries other than what’s freely allowed.
Next, my Mind:
Sometimes it can be an undeniable fact that real life is more affecting and impactful that fiction, and this reviewer feels safe in admitting that here with this 18-minute documentary short film effort from writer/director/cinematographer Konstantin Bock, selected as part of this year’s Berlin Liberi Film Festival. While the overall thematic leanings are not a preference and some initial, albeit brief, but graphic imagery shown was very awkward to take in for this reviewer, the sheer transparency that Hank “Hattie Louise” Major opts to adapt for this film is actually quite refreshing in its forthright, unvarnished, “hey, this is my life and my choices I proudly stand behind” manner. It becomes a testament to what it is to just be human, to endure hardships when they come, even when it’s born of our own choices, and then be educated by them while maintaining a sense of inner strength and outer fortitude that manages to carry us along and just live.
There’s the unquestionable fallibility and imperfection of some determinations that Hattie makes when remembering certain eras of his life, yet addresses them with an unapologetic demeanor and ultimately triumphant resolve that only makes him that much harder to not be endeared to, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the behavior and way in life depicted. Plus, through all the personal conflicts he’s overcome, there then lies the reality of real bond and deep, lasting affection for his one primary partner, Allen Brevard, who’s also interviewed here and, just like Hattie, displays a complete, undivided, non-judgmental, support for the man he’s found happiness with, transcending the actuality of Hattie’s continued “cruising” over time. Again, orientations aside, is this not wholeheartedly the way real, grounded, stirring devotion and love should be, though it is still a bit tough to see allowing what amounts to cheating to remain as any sort of foundation for a deep relationship, much less one that would last.
Yet, with this, there are the admissions perhaps of times where Allen may not have been overtly pleased over Hattie’s free and easy conduct, yet faithful he remains, Hattie likewise envisioning a future where he’s old, but still cared for and about, always returning to Allen no matter what it takes. Visually the film is as intentionally raw and candid as the man it’s about, which serves the purpose well in adding to the atmosphere of both remembrance and being in the here and now, becoming the discernible canvas upon which Hattie’s tale unfolds. The thing is, this isn’t to overdramatize anything or somehow make anyone think that we’re talking some epic level filmmaking being displayed. Rather, it’s more to ideally paint an image in the mind of the project’s accessibility and realism via purposeful plainness, which is necessary in order to explore one man’s journey in a way we can all, in some form, relate to beyond the sexuality and frank language. Therefore, in total, “Hattie Goes Cruising” is a succinct, uncontrived, naturally-flowing mini-saga chronicling lost aspects of the gay culture through the eyes of someone who’s lived it, learned from it, has no regrets about it, and who is thankful to still be here through it all in order that he might share it with the world.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading
