Fruit Fly
Film characters breaking into song feel comfortably at home in the confines of San Francisco’s Castro district. Bethesda, a Filipina-American performance artist, moves into the neighborhood in search of her birth mother. Her residence in a communal artists’ loft introduces an ensemble cast that welcomes her to the neighborhood through the first of several quirky musical numbers, entitled “Fag Hag.” Despite her readiness to shake the moniker, Bethesda accompanies her flatmates to local gay bars, all while pulling together clues to her mother’s identity. Convinced that a successful autobiographical show in the lively San Francisco art scene will catapult her to success, Bethesda covers familiar social territory with her new friends, plotting out a film that cleverly plays on the perceived realities of gay life and the theater world. Fruit Fly’s gifts truly shine in its vivid cinematography and unique point of view that highlights the exuberance of its colorful setting. Absorbing animated sequences bookend an earnest musical comedy about searching for one thing and finding more than was expected. Director H.P. Mendoza expected to attend both screenings
Cast & Crew
Director: H. P. Mendoza
Producer: Donald Young, H.P Mendoza
Editor: H.P. Mendoza
Screenwriter: H.P. Mendoza
Cinematographer: Richard Wong
Music: H.P. Mendoza
Principal Cast: L.A. Rengen, Mike Curtis, Theresa Navarro, E.S. Park, Aaron Zaragoza
Filmography: Debut Feature Film
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(3 reviews)
user reviews
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Thoroughly enjoyable, Jun 08, 2009
By David Hua
“I was hesitant going into this film seeing how empty the first screening was. I came out thoroughly enjoying it. The music and story kept up to pace. The lyrics were ludicrously funny and sexual at times. I kept humming some of the tunes even after walking out the theater. I would want to compare”
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Adorable effort, Jun 10, 2009
By Zheng Wang
“If you ever wondered what a low-budget indie gay musical would be like, this is it. Watching this movie is somewhat like watching a high school theater production. You could tear it to shreds if you want; or you could decide to be forgiving and just enjoy. The songs are smooth and catchy, the story”
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Guerilla musicals rule, Jun 12, 2009
By Frank Lee
“When H.P. Mendoza said that this was a guerilla film, I cringed. You know what people mean when they say "guerilla". It means handheld cameras following people around in close-up for two hours while the camera man tries desperately to get background people to not look into the”
… full review
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