As straight families celebrated their freedom in the U.S. this July 4th, gay illegal immigrants and their American born partners are left wondering why they’re free to buy a dog from most any country they choose, yet they can’t sponsor the person they love. While straight Americans routinely sponsor foreign partners either legitimately, or sight unseen as ‘mail order brides,’ gay Americans and their foreign partners are forced to live as felons, no matter how many years their relationship spans. Such is the plight for Nicole and Amy in last year’s politically charged gay immigration film, Maple Palm, which sneaks across the border from theatres to home video when it’s released on DVD Tuesday, July 3.
Art imitates life in this disturbingly intense dramatization of a lesbian couple together fifteen years, concealing the secret that one is an illegal immigrant. When their secret is exposed, the girls must choose – fight to stay together, or let bureaucracy tear them apart. The real-life political issue is equally obscure in the gay movement as it is within the immigration movement, yet for those trapped within the bureaucracy, the burden is very real.
Maple Palm offers an unflinching look at the burden faced by gay illegal immigrants. Inspired by true-life circumstances effecting over 40,000 Americans and their foreign partners, and validated by long-time immigration attorneys acting as technical advisors into the inner workings of a bureaucracy they’ve witnessed, Maple Palm offers an alternative composite of the American Dream as lived by gay citizens involved in international relationships. ‘It’s sad to think this exists in this day and age, but immigration is a very complex subject, and the ultimate question the film asks is – what would you sacrifice to be with the one you love?’ states actor/producer, Robert J. Feldman.
Maple Palm stars Deborah Stewart, Taymour Ghazi and supporting players; all of whom deliver intense and powerful performances from an IFP/NY acclaimed screenplay. Complex in its simplicity, the film backs off from heavy stylization in favor of a day-in-the-life approach that allows the viewer to eavesdrop on the action and get a front-row seat to its raw and disturbing intensity. Feldman continues, ‘Everyone knows how volatile the subject is. And unfortunately, many new immigrants seem to have a “close the door behind you†mentality once they’ve achieved their own status. Then add the stigma of sexuality, and there’s not a lot of support out there for gay immigration, let alone a movie about the subject.’
Despite the challenges, the filmmakers say they’ve received countless emails and blog entries on the film’s website from gay illegal immigrants and their American born partners thanking them for making the film and bringing their predicament to light. As a lesbian American moving to Europe to be with her partner states, ‘what I want people to know this July 4th is that gay and lesbian Americans are being forced out of this country to live elsewhere legally with their foreign partners. And while the homophobes out there might not care, I’m still an American and I resent being forced from my home.’
Feldman admits the controversy was perhaps too much for a small independent film to overcome, ‘it’s difficult to claim a market share against big films with massive ad campaigns, and going in, we underestimated how volatile a subject this actually was, both to straight and gay audiences. But in the end, I’m proud of the accomplishment and the small contribution we’ve made to cinema and the political debate.’
Maple Palm was funded entirely out of pocket by filmmakers passionate about independent films with something to say, ‘there’s a reason why big studios stick to frivolous entertainment. Audiences want an enjoyable diversion from their own problems and pay top dollar for the ride. Challenging films are held to a higher level of scrutiny and resentment,’ states Feldman. ‘Independent filmmakers often create films that make people look inward, and it can be tricky to get an audience to pay for that experience. Especially when the dose of reality is uncomfortable. But that’s the reality gay illegal immigrants face.’
Sixteen countries legally recognize same-sex partners for the purpose of immigration. No such law currently exists here in the U.S., however, Representative Jerrold Nadler [NY] has introduced legislation, The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA,) to Congress which would allow American gays and lesbians to sponsor their foreign born partners for the purpose of immigration. Senator Patrick Leahy [VT] has introduced similar legislation to the Senate.
Writer/Director, Ralph Torjan, states he’d like to steer clear of such politically charged material in the future but admits that might not be possible, ‘in pitching my next film to white-collar investors, their shocked looks made me realize the project is no less risqué than my last. None of it seems all that unusual to me. I guess I just need to find gap investors that aren’t afraid of new ideas.’ Inspired by actual events, Torjan’s next film, Personal Justice, thrusts four students undercover into a maximum security prison for a week. One of the students, a gay All-American quarterback eager to be locked-up with sexually frustrated straight men, is already causing a stir. ‘I thought I’d take everyone’s biggest prison fear and turn it on its ear. Apparently I’ll be making controversial films a little while longer.’
The Maple Palm Collector’s Edition DVD is available now at Amazon.com and various retail outlets. Exclusive promotions are also available directly from the film’s official website: www.MaplePalmMovie.com
