Director Todd Stephens calls GYPSY 83 a companion piece to 1999's EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, his personal tale of homosexual awakening and alienation during the New Wave 1980s. Returning to his provincial hometown of Sandusky, Ohio, Stephens once again delivers an unflinching examination of teen angst and alienation in this inspiring tale of two teen outsiders craving acceptance. Gypsy Vale (Sara Rue) is an overweight 25-year-old who spends her days working at a photo mat while dreaming of rock & roll fame and idolizing Stevie Nicks. Abandoned by her songstress mom and left to care for her burnt-out rocker dad (the legendary John Doe in a brilliant cameo), Gypsy's true musical talents are stifled by her small-town existence. Along with her gay, Goth best friend Clive (Kett Turton), who emulates Cure rocker Robert Smith, Gypsy sets out on a road trip to New York City. There, they will go to the Goth club Mother for "A Night of a Thousand Stevies"--the ultimate tribute to the legendary witchy woman. While on the road the duo meet a bevy of bizarre characters, including a sexy Amish farm boy looking for adventure, a repressed gay fraternity boy, and a karaoke lounge singer (Karen Black). But, their real adventure begins when they reach New York and realize that they have found a true family in their Goth compatriots far away from the suburbs of Ohio. Sara Rue delivers a painfully honest and breathtaking performance as Gypsy. The film features a fabulous Goth soundtrack and remarkable costume creations made by Kitty Boots, the woman who mans the door at Mother.
This film screened in July 2001 as part of Outfest, the 19th annual Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival at the John Anson Ford Theater.
DVD Features:
Region (Unknown)
Keep Case
Single Side - Single Layer
Full Frame - 1.33
Executive Producer
Michael Wolfson: Executive Producer, GYPSY 83 (2001)
Review 1:
"[I]t is clear that as a filmmaker Todd Stephens, like his heroes and heroines, is determined to be true to himself."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.E10 05/21/2004
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