Waters' unlikely heroes soar on a wing and a sprayer

By Jane Norris, The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, Va.

Nov. 6--Back in the day, some people would look at the characters in John Waters' films and see outsiders -- folks on the fringes, misfits who missed the mainstream.

That's certainly not how the characters in "Pink Flamingos," "Cry-Baby," "Hairspray" and other films see themselves, and it's not how Waters views them.

"I think of my characters as normal," Waters said cheerfully. "My characters are quite happy with themselves."

Waters' protagonists might not wear three-piece suits and live in trendy subdivisions, but they're brave enough to stand up for what's right, whether it's fighting racism or defending the weak from powerful bullies. His villains tend to be the ones who hold people back from success, smash their dreams and uphold conformity at the expense of fair play.

And as times have changed and American culture has embraced a wider acceptance of those who march to different drummers, an interesting phenomenon has begun to amuse the Baltimore-bred filmmaker.

"But everything's changed," Waters said. "Now everybody wants to be an outsider. Now, outsiders are 'in.'''

If it means people are willing to swim upstream and defy popular opinion to fight for good over evil, it bodes well for the future. Knowing when not to fit in -- when to follow one's conscience, even when it means telling what's conventional and safe and convenient to shove off -- is an essential life lesson for students of any age.

"No leaders fit in," Waters said. "Having the strength not to fit in -- that's the best strength of all."

Waters will speak at 4:30 this afternoon at the University of Virginia Arts Assembly in Culbreth Theatre. Although the event is free, tickets are required -- and those tickets are gone. If you haven't already called ahead to reserve your seat, your best bet is to ask at the door if there are any unclaimed tickets.

Waters will base today's talk on "This Filthy World," a presentation in which he looks back at his career and dives into what being an artist means.

"I touch on all aspects of my life," he said. He'll reflect on the importance of standing up for yourself and knowing when to take chances. He said his message is a valuable one for students to hear.

"I think it's all good in a way, because what you go to school for is to find out what you want to do," Waters said. "Discourag-ing anyone's interest and telling them they can't do their dreams is wrong -- unless you've been supporting them for 10 years."

Waters said he'd like to see young people be more willing to take chances on their dreams. He wants them to know that they can indeed make films if that's what they aspire to, whether or not they go to film school. But it may mean making a commitment and stepping outside their comfort zone.

"They want to feel safe," he said. "When I was young, I didn't want to feel safe."

After the assembly, Waters is off to the Virginia Film Festival. At 10 tonight, Waters will introduce "Pink Flamingos," the 1972 cult hit that won the young filmmaker a following. Another of his films, "Hairspray" -- the 1998 film that danced its way into mainstream success and inspired a popular Broadway musical, which spawned its own film -- can be seen at 7 this evening. That project is close to Waters' heart.

"It was a great joy of my life," Waters said of "Hairspray." "I'll be honest with you -- it was a good idea. Fat girl fights for integration -- that's high concept."

The underdog story of a plucky, plump girl's struggle to integrate a teen dance show in 1962 Baltimore has resonated around the world, and "it's almost actor-proof," he chuckled.

Many people found Waters' early films shocking. He said he's not necessarily aiming to shock.

"I try to make people laugh," Waters said. "I try to surprise people with wit. It can be shocking, but it has to be funny. Wit implies a little bit of nastiness for an audience that's looking for it."

Of his films, he said, "You're always surprised that they get made. I'm an optimist. To me, they're funny."

AT A GLANCE

John Waters

UVa Arts Assembly

4:30 this afternoon

Culbreth Theatre

Sold out; some free, unclaimed tickets may be available at door

924-3376

Screening of "Pink Flamingos" at 10 tonight

Virginia Film Festival

Newcomb Theater

$15 to $12.50

982-5277

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