IT’S STILL ELEMENTARY: THE MOVIE AND THE MOVEMENT (Debra Chasnoff, U.S.). 51 minutes. Saturday (May 17), 3 pm, NFB. Rating: NNN
Got a problem with bringing gay and lesbian issues into elementary schools? Groundbreaking 1996 film It’s Elementary demonstrated that young kids are ready and unbelievably wise and open.
Debra Chasnoff’s sequel to the documentary she co-directed with Helen Cohen focuses on the impact of the original film and tracks some of the kids who were filmed 12 years ago.
The vibe is a bit too self-congratulatory, but this is a valuable assessment, complete with stats (two gay-straight alliances in the U.S. in 1992 versus 2,700 in 1996, for example) of how the American landscape has changed.
Too bad this update doc isn’t being screened with the original. It would make an amazing double bill.
