Exploring Chris Vautour’s “Pole Are Opposites” at Cinema Diverse
Canadian filmmaker Chris Vautour challenges conventional perceptions of femininity, age, and sexuality through her experimental short film Pole Are Opposites. Premiering at the Cinema Diverse Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the film features two contrasting women and invites audiences to confront their own assumptions.
Vautour, a 58-year-old masculine-presenting butch lesbian, collaborates with younger pole dancer Laurent Spidal Pouyer. Their generational differences form the film’s visual language, which embraces a raw presentation of bodies, notably celebrating the lack of representation for older queer individuals.
Vautour intentionally showcases imperfections, emphasizing the body as it is instead of conforming to typical beauty standards. The film eschews traditional narrative structures, allowing the audience to engage in their own interpretations—be it discomfort or curiosity.
Having spent decades as a location manager in the industry, Vautour’s return to filmmaking reflects her desire to reclaim her creativity and spotlight voices that are often marginalized. Her project exemplifies the importance of intergenerational collaboration within the LGBTQ+ community, suggesting that insights can flow freely regardless of age.
Ultimately, Pole Are Opposites pushes viewers to reconsider their perceptions of bodies and vulnerability, urging them to recognize the beauty in difference and coexistence. Vautour’s commitment to her craft into her late 50s serves as a potent reminder that it’s never too late to share one’s story and perspective.
