LOCAL HERO(INE)
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Eugene native Martin Curland’s independent film Zerophilia makes its way to the Bijou this weekend. Shot in and around Eugene, the coming-of-age film crossbreeds the themes and tones of John Hughes and John Waters in the story of a young man who discovers that he has a rare (and fictional) genetic disorder called zerophilia: Under certain circumstances, he can change back and forth from male to female — a disconcerting notion at the best of times, but all the more so when the change takes place against Luke’s (Taylor Handley) will when he gets turned on by Michelle (Rebecca Mozo).
Writer/director Curland’s original, thoughtful and sometimes very funny film uses the idea of gender fluidity to consider ideas about growing up and growing into yourself; his director’s statement says “I wanted a way to focus on and externalize a young man’s internal struggle with his masculinity and sexual identity.” Luke also struggles with the reactions of his friends and with a doctor (Gina Bellman) whose help comes with a catch. Zerophilia is a strange and enjoyable trip, all the more so for Eugeneans who’ll recognize the view from Skinners Butte, the UO campus and more. “[Zerophilia is] a micro-budget film and would not have been possible without the generous support of people in the Eugene area who worked on the film as extras, on the crew or contributed in other ways,” says Curland, who will host an “informal gathering” at McMenamins North Bank following Saturday’s matinee screening. Zerophilia shows at 11:25 pm Feb. 9 and 11 and 3:25 pm Feb. 10 at the Bijou. — Molly Templeton
DATE WITH THE DEAD
“There are a lot of people in and out of relationships that have zombie-like characteristics either from not appreciating what they have, wanting what they can’t have or just not being satisfied with themselves.” So says 26-year-old nursing student Christopher Anglin, founder of Eugene’s St. Valentine’s Day Zombie Walk.
Although Zombie Walk flesh mobs occur around the world on various dates (see www.zombiewalk.com),Anglin thinks Valentine’s Day is the perfect “Hallmark Holiday” to infect with humorous necropsy.
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“I actually met my fiancée at a previous zombie walk so it works great as a dating tool. Zombies are HOT,” Anglin says. “There will be couples and singles and they will all be wonderfully bloody. I’m personally not looking to make any deep statements about relationships with this event. I just wanna have some fun.”
Anglin says the Zombie Walk isn’t a political statement or a reason to misbehave. “Anyone that wants an excuse to riot or get drunk and harass people is not at all welcome.”
At last year’s inaugural Zombie Walk, Anglin and his mob of decrepit faux-flesh-eating souls gathered at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery, startling unsuspecting citizens. “Every now and then a couple would stroll through holding hands,” he says. “We would see them coming and all hide in different directions, then as they passed by, they would have some 20 zombies creeping out of nowhere towards them. Funny stuff.” The unsightly mob then shambled into town, occupied various bars, then visited the Sacred Heart ER, much to the delight of the ER staff. He advises participants not to bite anyone for real, especially the police.
Anglin, who admits he has an unnatural obsession for zombie films, says he was inspired to create a Eugene Zombie Walk after reading The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. “I’m pretty sure the idea came to be after few beers also.”
“Why Valentine’s Day? Being single at the time and having a lot of friends that were either single or disinterested in the chocolate and flowers celebration, it seemed appropriate. It’s fun to give people a shock. To see people forcing a nervous smile or laugh when they see the living dead approaching them. You know there has to be that one short moment when they’re questioning whether or not this is the real thing. This really does scare some people. There was an incident in Vancouver, B.C., I believe, where a motorist tried to run some zombies down in his car.”
Anglin says costumes and masks are unnecessary. “Zombies are just the average Joe that has become undead.” The emphasis is on appearing like you’ve been dead for a while, and lots of blood. “If you have any extra body parts to carry around and chew on, even better.” The second annual St. Valentine’s Day Zombie Walk begins at 8 pm Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Pioneer Cemetery (18th & University). — John Dooley
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519