I usually alternate my plans on Friday nights. One Friday, some friends and I might start out at a cute restaurant in the village and by the end of the night we’re tearing up the dance floor. While the next Friday night, my plans for the evening usually are Netflix and takeout. I have to admit, my movie nights are my favorite Friday nights. I’m always up for a good comedy, but nothing gets my attention quicker than an intriguing documentary. So when I got the opportunity to pre-screen two of director James Belzer’s latest films, I was beyond thrilled to stay in for the weekend and watch them.
Make It In America: Empowering Global Fashion is James Belzer’s second documentary focusing on the fashion industry. Famously known for the documentary, The Tents, a film that unveils the evolution of New York Fashion Week, Belzer takes us behind the scene of the fashion industry from a different angle. Interviews from key fashion insiders like Martha Stewart, Anna Sui and Fern Mallis, helps us to understand the historic development, evolution and decline of fashion merchandising in the United States.
Not to give away any spoilers, the documentary discusses the political and social economic reasons why manufacturing has declined in the states. Yes, there are interviews from some of my favorite fashion designers, but what was more intriguing for me were the discussions with pattern makers, seamstresses, and sewers. You get a little glimpse of the different stages of production. You also see the pride these manufacturers take in creating the collections and impeccable craftsmanship of the clothes. More importantly, you are made aware of the multifaceted world of fashion design. The film reminds you that it’s more than just the designers that are affected by outsourcing.
In Coming of Age in Cherry Grove: The Invasion, we are taken on a very different journey. Known as the epicenter for drag and one of the most accepting communities for LGBTQ people, Cherry Grove, a small community on Fire Island, has been a gay escape since the 1940s.
In the 1940s and 50s, there were very few places where people in the gay community could be out and proud. Through tell-all accounts from legendary drag queens and long-time residents, Coming of Age in Cherry Grove tells the story of a special place where people could come to discover who they are and be who they are. You learn about the infamous start of the Invasion of the Pine, a fourth of July celebration that dates back to 1976. The Invasion was the result of queers fighting back in a fabulous, kick ass way. Based on the trailer, I knew I was in for a colorful and cheeky ride, and I was not disappointed. Coming of Age in Cherry Grove: The Invasion, gives you a glimpse of history through the eyes of audacious people who opened doors for a more out generation.
After watching both documentaries, I caught up with the director, James Belzer, to have a one-on-one chat about his projects.
What were some of the challenges you faced directing these documentaries?
Key challenges with both projects: Getting both stories to come together in a way that captured the essence of the story, with the personalities of each subject intact, in as concise a manner as possible. Approach with each film is similar to the long form editorial style that you’d find in an article from The New Yorker, for example. The goal was to let each subject share their thoughts in their own voice.
What do you hope viewers will take away from the film Make It In America: Empowering Global Fashion? What do you hope the fashion industry will take away?
My hope is that the consumers will pay more attention to where the products they buy are made. That they begin supporting brands that are US made and also, start asking their favorite brands to consider making more of their products in the US whenever possible. For instance, they can speak to a store manager when shopping and ask them to pass the message along to management. Or, they can contact the brand headquarters and pass the message along directly.
For the fashion industry, it is more about demonstrating the right leadership – for them to just take the initiative & produce more domestic products. By providing more of their products that are made in the US, it then offers the consumers a chance to support the factories that are making the brand’s product here.
The subject matter of Cherry Grove: The Invasion is quite different from your two other films. Why was it so important for you to make Coming of Age in Cherry Grove: The Invasion?
The Cherry Grove film was actually my first project that I started back in the summer of 2009 on the side while I was still working at Harper’s Bazaar. [I] was given some great advice at the time, which was to make films about things that I knew well. I’d been going to Cherry Grove for many years at that point & found it to be so interesting. There are so many colorful characters that live there & some great stories to be told about the community – it was just a lot of fun to start putting it all together. But then, needed to put this project aside temporarily to make THE TENTS, in order to capture the developments with NY Fashion Week as it was preparing to move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center. I left Harper’s Bazaar in Jan 2010 to focus on THE TENTS & filmmaking [and] continued to work on Cherry Grove over the past 5+ years to finish the film.
There was definitely a sense of pride from the residents of Cherry Grove. How do you think they perceived the film?
For so many, it was just such a great opportunity to get the stories about their life in Cherry Grove down in a documentary. We had a special screening of the film in Cherry Grove over Labor Day weekend. It was completely sold out & everyone said how much they loved the film.
Conversations about drag culture today tend to focus on present day drag. Was it important for you to bridge the gap between past and present drag culture?
Yes, absolutely! When you hear stories from some of the older members of the drag community about what it used to be like for them back in the day, you can really appreciate how much freedom we all have now. The LGBTQ community has come a long way & we all have much to be thankful for. The progress that has been made is a direct result of their willingness to be bold during that period of time. We can all appreciate their efforts to be out & proud – they actively participated in the movement towards awareness & acceptance.
What’s next for you in the film industry? Are you working on any new projects?
Yes, with three documentaries under my belt now, I’m writing an original screenplay for my first narrative feature film. I will expand on many of the things I’ve encountered over the years in NYC & certainly, include lots of fashion elements & players, with some thought-provoking theories & ideas explored.
In tandem with the film, Make It In America: Empowering Global Fashion, the Phoenix Art Museum is hosting a landmark exhibition for the Save the Garment District movement currently on display until March 2015. Both documentaries are available on iTunes and many other outlets.
Watch Make It In America: Empowering Global Fashion here and Coming of Age in Cherry Grove: The Invasion here.
Twisted Talk: Have you seen any of James Belzer’s documentaries? Are you interested in checking them out now? Discuss below!
