Finding North
Finding North is a 1998 gay-themed independent comedy-drama. Written by Kim Powers and directed by Tanya Wexler, the film stars Wendy Makkena and John Benjamin Hickey.
| Finding North | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Tanya Wexler |
| Produced by | Stephen Dyer Steven A. Jones |
| Written by | Kim Powers |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Café Noir |
| Cinematography | Michael Barrett |
| Edited by | Thom Zimny |
| Distributed by | Cowboy Booking International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
Finding North tells the story of Rhonda (Makkena), a bank teller who's depressed upon turning 30, and Travis (Hickey), a gay man who's recently lost his lover to AIDS and grown suicidal. Travis receives an audio tape recorded by his lover, Bobby, before his death which sends him on a scavenger hunt of sorts to Bobby's home town in Texas. Through a series of mishaps, Rhonda ends up accompanying him on his journey. Together they follow Bobby's instructions as best they can, collecting items that represent Bobby's past, despite the many changes to the town in the years since Bobby left. Ultimately they end up at the grave site Bobby's parents had prepared for him decades earlier. They bury the collected items at Bobby's instruction and together start to try "finding north" (an expression of Bobby's; "when things hit rock bottom, sure as hell can't get any further south, might as well start finding north").
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Wendy Makkena | Rhonda Portelli |
| John Benjamin Hickey | Travis Furlong |
| Jonathan Walker | Voice of Bobby |
| Anne Bobby | Debi |
| Rebecca Creskoff | Gina |
| Angela Pietropinto | Mrs. Portelli |
| Freddie Roman | Mr. Portelli |
| Molly McClure | Aunt Bonnie |
| Jay Michaelson | Bud |
| Yusef Bulos | Taxi Driver |
| Garrett Moran | Stripper |
| Steven Jones | Funeral Director |
| Lynn Metrik | Bank Manager |
| Phyllis Cicero | Janice |
| Spiro Malas | Waiter |
| Amy Zimmerman | Ticket Agent |
| Jonah Marsh | Car Rental Agent |
| Bo Barron | Counter Boy |
| Cherami Leigh | Gretchen |
| Matt Whitton | Young Bobby |
| Jody Napolotano | Young Don Franklin |
| Gail Cronauer | Mrs. Penn |
| R. Bruce Elliott | T.V. Salesman |
| Kermit Key | Geezer 1 |
| Richard Rogers | Geezer 2 |
| Russ Marker | Geezer 3 |
| T.J. Morehouse | Drugstore Clerk |
| Mary Sheldon | Ellen |
| Westin Self | Younger Bobby |
| Norman Bennett | Farmer McDonald |
| Kirk Sisco | Party Guests |
| Joel S. Greco | |
| Victoria Wright | |
| Kelly D. Lewis | |
| Kim Powers | |
| Steve Brannon | |
| Chad Jackson | |
| Katelyn Burton | |
| Mike Madrigal | |
| Marisa Perez | Baby Sitter |
| Jesse Plemons | Hobo |
| Sara Proctor | Princess |
| Harrison Lindley | Cowboy |
| Bruce Stewart | Cowboy (uncredited) |
Awards and nominations
Verzaubert - International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Rosebud Award - Best Film (nominated)
DVD release
Finding North was released on Region 1 DVD on March 7, 2000.