Interview with Jesse Archer: Blogger, Actor and Writer

Could you travel a continent of gorgeous cities and perverse slums, eschewing posh hotels? Could you do it, and maintain your sparkle? Writer/actor Jesse Archer's new book You Can Run: Gay, Glam, and Gritty Travels in South America details the two years of his life that he spent trekking through South America with a co-dependent ex, a prissy Argentinean, and a hot pink wig. After visiting Philly for the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival with his movie A Four Letter Word, Jesse returns for a book signing at Giovanni's Room. We got down'n dirty with him between visits, to find out what happens when people stop being polite and start speaking Spanish.

A Four Letter Word was an incredible movie!
Thank you! I had such a good time in Philly! We just got back from Outfest in LA. Casper Andreas (co-writer) and I won Outstanding Screenplay. It's gonna do a small distribution early next year, and then be available on DVD.

Let's talk about You Can Run...
It's totally me, the way I live. I get down to the nitty gritty.

And you chronicled your entire two-year experience?
I document my entire life. I feel like if I don't write it down, or take a picture of it, it didn't happen. When I got back from South America, I wrote a few of the stories from my journals into narrative tales. It was a great form of therapy.

Your experiences in "the Third World" were extraordinary and scary.
I'm actually on my way to the 14th Street Post Office (in NYC). Nothing more Third World then the Post Office. That is pure ghetto. It's a lot like Bolivia. Maybe worse.

Ha! So you did grow and evolve from the journey!
When you are put in a stressful situation, you learn so much about your strengths your weaknesses, and you are much more open to new ideas.

Which is better: Traveling alone or with companions?
Both are so different, if I had to choose...traveling alone. You don't' have to consider anyone else, and you can go anywhere. Couples traveling never met anyone!

Did you plan on publishing them as a book?
I submitted them to an editor as more of a travel memoir, for magazines. But the suggestion came to put them together as a book.

It's an incredibly funny and brutally honest book.
It's a decision you make with memoirs. You have to go all the way. Otherwise, what is the point? Otherwise, it's tame.

Would you do it again? No flush toilets? The whole enchilada?
I could not duplicate any of it. I'm seven years older; I don't think I would be up for some of the adventures. For example, I don't think I would be able to put myself through the Amazon ride again.

How about Zane, one of the central romances in the book?
Zane? Oh, no.

You seemed like soul mates though!
Did you read the book? [LAUGHS] No, I think our relationship was a first love thing. Then it fell into this co-dependency. Soon you emotional react and respond without thinking. I like life and living. A relationship like that, it is not dull.

I actually think I have a Zane in my life.
Really? What's his name? I've got three words for you: YOU CAN RUN!