Actor-turned-filmmaker Brian J. Smith’s gently probing documentary, A House is Not a Disco, takes a loving look at the gay community on the famed Fire Island. Letting the locals do the talking, he unwraps the island’s mystique and issues with a nonjudgmental eye.
Fire Island Pines is as much a self-perpetuating legend as it is a location. A mythical haven for gay men where they are free to be themselves completely. A homonormative escape from the everyday that has made its way into the pop cultural lexicon of queerness. In New York, straight people go to the Hamptons, the gays go to the Pines.
Smith explores the island’s history, from the early generations of gay men who slowly built up the area, through the height of the AIDS crisis in the United States to today. The problems facing the modern day Pines Party are juxtaposed with the foundation of one of the first real “circuit parties”, Beach 79. There’s a warm joy in hearing the stories of the older men who made Fire Island their home and enjoyed the freedom of the Pines, mixed with the younger crowd coming to party. There is a messy exuberance to their dreams, mixed with expensive real estate and beautiful swimming pools.
The film doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the complexity inherent in this queer community. Fire Island was known for being an elitist enclave of buff white cis gay men and increased inclusivity comes with some reticence. Copious amounts of alcohol, and other substances, are available and the party lifestyle can take its toll, mentally and physically. As some partygoers discover, their dream of Fire Island doesn’t always line up with the cold hard reality. But there is a deep-rooted appreciation for the freedom it has given those who live and visit the Pines, a space to simply relax and completely be yourself.
Smith never lingers on the negatives for long. His affection for the island is evident in the beautiful way cinematographer Eric Schleicher lenses the action. This has the sensual eye of a homoerotic Michael Bay movie. With no narration, the film glides from location to location and topic to topic like the perfect dinner party conversation, thanks to some skillfully subtle editing by Blake Pruitt.
There is an element of underlying tension that hums underneath the beautiful visuals. The Pines are undergoing a generational shift as the Generation X (and older) gay men who made it their home are being replaced by a younger generation with different priorities. Meanwhile the world at large is changing due to the climate crisis, and the Pines is literally washing away. It’s a reminder that history is ephemeral and always changing, so enjoy the good while it’s there.
A House is Not a Disco is all about the good vibes and gay history. The combination of funny, relaxed conversations and rich, warm visuals make this a chilled out and entertaining watch with enough depth to keep it grounded. A double bill with Andrew Ahn’s 2022 Fire Island—which is discussed briefly in this doc—feels like a must.
By Chad Armstrong
A House is Not a Disco received its Australian Premiere at the 34th annual Melbourne Queer Film Festival. MQFF34 runs November 14th-24th, 2024. For the full lineup and to purchase tickets head to mqff.com.au.
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