Here's Johnny!

A couple weeks ago I caught a screening of "Pop Star on Ice," part of the San Francisco Documentary Film Festival, at the Roxie Theater in the Mission District. I didn't know much of anything about Johnny Weir before, other than that he is currently my mother's favorite figure skater (and "the new version of Rudy Galindo," according to her, which also signified nothing much to me, since I've never followed figure skating any more than I've followed football). But the blurb about the film piqued my interest, and the fact that it returned to the DocFest after screening for the first time LAST year seemed to indicate a fan favorite. And so it was. The theater was small, but packed, and enthusiastic, for the screening (one of only two) that I attended. There were a number of moments when we all laughed together, and I joined in the ovation at the film's end. Johnny Weir is a young athlete of great charisma. His press conference antics, youthful fearlessness and outspoken individuality do not obscure his amazing and innate talent as a skater, but only enhance and embellish it. I came away feeling - and hoping - that he could indeed one day "take the Gold." I always respond passionately to people brave enough to really communicate who they are to you without the fear and boundaries and inhibitions that most people have. It makes them vulnerable, but also uniquely lovable - because there just aren't that many of them. It's so much easier to play it safe. As far as the question of his sexuality goes: on the one hand, I do think it's a little silly for Weir to play coy about officially coming out of the closet, when a CHIMP watching "Pop Star on Ice" would think it blindingly obvious that he's gay. On the other hand - it is UP TO HIM, public figure or no, and in the times we live in, when announcing that you're gay to the press results in People Magazine covers titled YES I AM! - in other words, it amounts to a press conference and exactly the sort of "spectacle" Weir has spoken of in interviews, as something he wants to avoid - I can't blame him for not wanting his sexuality to overshadow his talent as an athlete and performer. Of course, when he does finally make the statement - if only to appease those tiresome enough to require such a statement of the obvious - I will be his loudest supporter. Let your bright light shine, baby! You are beautiful! It's true.

And you just took second place in the first day in the Grand Prix at Nagano.

Now, when will 'Pop Star On Ice" be released on DVD stateside, eh?