Book description
Over the decades, gay cinema has reflected the community's journey from
persecution to emancipation to acceptance. Politicised dramas like
Victim in the 60s, The Naked Civil Servant in the 70s, and the AIDS
cinema of the 80s have given way in recent years to films which
celebrate a vast array of gay life-styles. Gay films have undergone a
major shift, from the fringe to the mainstream and the 2005 Academy
Awards were dubbed ' the Gay Oscars' with gongs going to Brokeback
Mountain, Capote and Transamerica. Producers began clamouring to back
gay-themed movies, including I Love You Philip Morris with Jim Carey and
Ewan McGregor, and Gus Van Sant's Milk, starring Sean Penn as Harvey
Milk, the first prominent American political figure to be elected to
office on an openly gay ticket back in the 70s. So loved was he that his
brutal and homophobic assassination by ex-policeman Daniel White sparked
the biggest riots in gay history. Out at the Movies looks back, decade
by decade, at the history of gay cinema, celebrating the films which
have defined the genre. Indie films, the avant-garde, sex on screen, bad
guys, lesbian lovers, transgender films, camp comedies, musicals and gay
rom-coms -- all are featured here. As well as highloighting the key
movements and triumphs in gay cinema, the author includes information on
gay filmmakers and actors, and their influence within the industry.
Interspersed throughout are some of the most iconic scenes from gay
cinema and the most memorable dialogue.
