Located just fifty miles from New York City, Fire Island Pines is the world’s most well-know “homo-normative” community. I had never heard of the place myself, and that’s why director Brian J. Smith’s “A House Is Not A Disco” is so eye-opening. The film documents a year in the life of the visitors and residents of this “queer beach town,” following along on their daily activities like shopping at the neighborhood grocery store and planning for elaborately wild parties, to evidencing their ever-changing routines and serious worries about climate change, the film features a cast of activists, eccentrics, newcomers, and more, all people who desire a life of inclusivity and freedom.
Smith lets his camera observe, which gives a real fly-on-the-wall feeling to the film. His subjects have big personalities and really make the movie tick. Not everything is interesting, and it does feel quite repetitive. Still, there’s something quite warm and fuzzy about hearing fabulous gay men talk so honestly about their love of Fire Island Pines and the sense of security and freedom that they’ve never felt anywhere else.
This is a niche documentary that will play especially well with like-minded audiences (and probably won’t go over so smoothly with others). The subjects in the film are outspoken and highly confident in their opinions, and the expression of liberal ideas (and ideals) aren’t going to be a great match for certain folks in flyover states.
“A House is Not A Disco” isn’t the most entertaining documentary around, but it presents a terrific opportunity to learn about a community and the people who are breathing new life into it. To that end, the film is a celebration of being true yourself, while also having a lot of fun doing so.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 