Come meet the outrageous "Raging Grannies" at their S.F. film premiere

               The Raging Grannies do their thing--protesting (Photo by Justin Miel)

After spending twenty years teaching English at a Bay Area high school, Pam Walton decided to quit her teaching job and pursue two dreams: becoming a filmmaker and stepping out of the closet.

Since coming out as a lesbian and forming Pam Walton Productions, her filmmaking company, Walton spends her time creating videos that are “illuminating gay and lesbian lives and promoting grassroots democracy.”

Her first non-LGBT film, Raging Grannies: The Action League, premieres in San Francisco on June 27 at Frameline33 in the Victoria Theater. The Raging Grannies, who are easily recognizable in their flowing dresses, big hats and feather boas, originated in British Columbia, Canada, and now have 60 "gaggles" around the world, including the United States and Israel. (Walton's film focuses on the Bay Area Peninsula Action League Grannies.)

I recently spoke with Pam Walton about her award-winning films, how to become a Raging Granny and what to expect at the Grannies’ film premiere.

Describe how your project "Raging Grannies" came to be.

The Grannies are a filmmaker's dream come true. They're natural born performers, they're a visual sensation, and they're on my side of the political spectrum.

I met the Grannies in 2004 when I was making a short film about the 2004 election. I couldn’t believe Bush really won again, and I met the Grannies at a rally in Palo Alto where they were holding a mock funeral for free elections. They walked down the street with a cardboard coffin to Rep. Anna Eshoo’s office, demanding that she object to the electoral vote count, especially in Ohio.

How does an older woman get to be a Raging Granny?

Actually, there are no age requirements. Most of the Grannies are in their 70’s, but some are as young as 57 and one is 92. All you really need is a burning desire to get up off the couch and into the streets for a good cause.

Describe your films. How and when did you first know you wanted to be a film director/producer?

I taught high school English for 20 years and stayed in the closet during that time. It became unbearable and I decided to get out of that closet by leaving teaching and becoming a filmmaker. All of my films, until Raging Grannies, have been about gay and lesbian issues.

How has being lesbian impacted your art?

Being a lesbian has had a huge impact on my art. Since I was stuffed in a closet for 40 years, I simply couldn’t stop coming out in every film I made.

What inspires you?

I love commitment and hard work. I love to see people working their way through adversity and ignorance, finally coming to what's true and real for them.

What can film goers expect to see at the June 27th screening at the Victoria Theatre?

On the 27th, audiences will see what they rarely get to see in mainstream media: Pushy, noisy, active older women making a difference.

The Grannies and I will be attending Frameline’s opening night, and the Grannies will be at the Victoria Theater on the 27th to sing and answer questions after the movie.

"Raging Grannies" will show at Frameline33 in the Victoria Theatre, 2961 "16th" Street, San Francisco at 11:00 am. Ticket prices range from $7.00 to $8.00.

(To purchase tickets, click here or to see the film's trailer, click here.)

For more info: Pam Walton, Raging Grannies