| | Published November 6th, 2013
| "Valentine Road"
| | By Adam Reeves |  | | "Valentine Road" Photo provided
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"Valentine Road" is a gripping documentary about hate and intolerance, and about the story of eighth-grader Larry King. When he was attending school in Oxnard, Calif., Larry began to be aware of his tendency to be more feminine and he began to explore this outwardly by dressing more and more as a girl in school. Some of the other students teased him. Some tolerated him, while others ignored him.
But there was one student, Brandon McInerney, who decided that all the other students needed to be protected from this "freak." He came to class the next day and shot Larry twice in the back of his head in front of fellow students and the teachers in attendance.
What took place next was an amazing journey of emotions and opinions from the parents, teachers, fellow students, city officials, and the lawyers handling the situation. The outrage that some said "Brandon was the victim" caused national press coverage. Many in the public eye, such as Ellen Degeneres, Anderson Cooper, and the talk show host Larry King, got involved and gave voice to the issues. This 89-minute documentary by Marta Cunningham does an excellent job of showing all sides of the story - the past child abuse, the family support, the school's lack of responsibility, the public and private opinions - and you will be moved to tears, anger, and disbelief as this true story is revealed.
"Valentine Road" will be shown at the Orinda Theatre as part of the California Independent Film Festival at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.
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CAIFF Must-See Films and Events
By Derek Zemrak
The California Independent Film Festival starts tomorrow, Nov. 7! I know the film festival can seem a bit overwhelming with over 60 films and events to choose from, but I would like to help you out. As the founder of CAIFF, here are my daily must-see films and events to attend.
Thursday, Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. - Come to the Opening Night Reception and screening of the highly acclaimed film "Le Week-end." Opening night has become the must attend annual event in Moraga. This year the event, chaired by Caroline Wood, will be over the top with amazing food from Whole Foods of Lafayette, award-winning wine from Concannon Vineyards, beer from Ale Industries and the amazing film "Le Week-end," which recently had its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival.
Friday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. - Do not miss Shorts Program D "Celebrity Shorts" in Orinda. Former Ms. America and Golden Globe nominee Lee Meriwether ("Batman," "Barnaby Jones," "All My Children") will be in attendance to receive the 16th Annual California Independent Film Festival Lifetime Achievement award after the screening of the short film "Remember to Breathe." Golden Globe recipient, Susan Blakely ("Rich Man, Poor Man," "Towering Inferno") will also be in attendance.
Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10 p.m. - The place to be seen is at the annual CAIFF party at Shelbys Restaurant. Shelbys will be serving up fabulous food and live music from Johnny Nash and headliner, Thomas Ian Nicholas ("American Pie," "Rookie of the Year"). CAIFF started in 1999, so let's party like it's 1999!
Sunday, Nov.10 at 6 p.m. - Wrap up with the Closing Night movie, "Jackpot" - a dark comedy in the vein of "Fargo" that previously screened at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where it was a festival favorite of Jo Alice Canterbury (Orinda's International Film Showcase).
See you on the Red Carpet!
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA