Finding North

Finding North
Directed by Tanya Wexler
Produced by Stephen Dyer
Steven A. Jones
Written by Kim Powers
Starring Wendy Makkena
John Benjamin Hickey
Music by Café Noir
Cinematography Michael Barrett
Edited by Thom Zimny
Distributed by Cowboy Booking International
Release dates
January 10, 1998 (Sundance Film Festival)
Running time
95 minutes
Country United States
Language English

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.

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.

External links