Fagbug Nation

Openly lesbian filmmaker Erin Davies's 2009 Fagbug (VL-11/10) centered on how—after finding homophobic graffiti on her Volkswagen—she turned her car into a rainbow-hued vehicle and hit the road in an effort to inspire public dialogues on homosexuality. Here, Davies continues her mission, driving the eye-catching car through all 50 states (separating Davies for long periods from her wife). Early on, someone tells Davis that she is doing the gay community no favors by getting major mileage out of a minor slur incident (Davies, typically, invites the critic to come on camera to talk; but no go). Most other reactions are more positive, even grateful, as Davies meets a rapper who initially felt queer-bashing rage when seeing the car, but instead wrote rhymes in tribute to it; visits a rainbow-colored Kansas house maintained in defiance of the notoriously hateful Westboro Baptist Church across the street; and tours the gay-friendly state of Hawaii. Getting the Fagbug across the Pacific is one thing, but the roughest road turns out to be a marathon non-stop solo drive from Seattle to a gay-pride rally in Alaska, which is played here for maximum drama by the filmmaker, who is plagued by engine trouble and odd hitchhikers. Although charges of grandstanding may or may not be valid, it's hard to deny the reality that Davies has changed some of the social atmosphere with her stunt. Recommended. (C. Cassady)