Hi and welcome to this month’s Library Film Blog. Let me begin by wishing a very Happy Pride Month to all those who celebrate it. It may be almost over, but I thought we could continue the celebrations by experiencing some of the history of LGBTQ people through some expertly picked films from our collection. Each entry focuses on the life and experiences of LGBTQ+ people both in the past and modern times (with one admittedly being much darker than the others).
We start with Carol (2015) directed by Todd Haynes. Released in recent years, yet set as far back as the 1950s, mainly in New York. It tells the story of an unsurprisingly (given the era) forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer and an older woman going through a messy divorce. Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) as the photographer Therese who, when working in a department store at Christmas, spots the glamourous Carol (Cate Blanchett, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Elizabeth) buying a present for her daughter. Though initially searching for a specific item, Carol chooses Therese’ recommendation and proceeds to forget her gloves on the counter after the purchase. Therese mails them back to her using an address left on a sales slip for the store, and so begins their infatuation with each other. As a thank you for returning the gloves, Carol invites Therese (who is having doubts about her relationship with her boyfriend) to lunch at her New Jersey home. Their first meeting ends abruptly however due an argument between Carol and her estranged husband Harge (who is aware of her true sexual nature and is threatening to use it against her in the battle for their daughter’s custody).
Sometime later, Carol visits Therese’s apartment to gift her a camera & film as an apology; the two then decide to venture out on a road trip, to rid Carol’s mind off the divorce battle and so both can work through their true feelings for one another. They try to navigate a relationship in a time when homosexuality was extremely shunned, especially for a lady of Carol’s stature. The best reviewed film of 2015, for both its performances and direction, Carol was also ranked as the best LGBT film of all time by the BFI. Despite winning several awards, it failed to win any at the Oscars and sparked major controversy when it wasn’t even considered for nomination in the Best Picture or Best Director categories. This continued the Oscar’s trend of diminishing LGBT films, while also being seen as a demonstration of many people’s dominant aversion to seeing Lesbian or gay love displayed on screen, even in the 21st Century. A heart-wrenching film, it is available to watch now on both DVD & e-stream through the Library. View the trailer by clicking the link below:
What film can be more perfect for this category then one titled, Pride (2014). The epitome of all we are focusing on, this comedy-drama directed by Stephen Beresford, is based on the true story of the Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners campaign (LGSM) and their involvement in the 1984 British miner’s strike. Starring an ensemble cast (including: Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Andrew Scott and Bill Nighy); it begins as activist Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) hears of the strike through the news, and deduces the lack in harassment for gays by the police is due to their focus on the miners. Realizing this, he organizes a collection for the miners at the Gay Pride Parade in London, founding the LGSM after it is a huge success. Even with gaining an increasing number of members and following, the LGSM faces stern opposition: from the miners themselves, who wish not to be associated with them; and within their own community by some who feel mistreated by the miners in the past.
Seemingly undeterred, the LGSM travels to Onllwyn in Wales to donate the money to the miners there, receiving a further frosty welcome. To show some gratitude, the Onllwyn miner’s spokesperson meets he LGSM back in London and thanks them, truly kickstarting their campaign despite further blowback from members of the Women’s Support Group (mainly consisting of the wives and partners of the miner’s). As the strike rages on, the LGSM fights to be recognized, accepted and be shown gratitude for their support, all while continuing to raise more funds for the miner’s families; even in the face of ridicule from the public and the newspapers. Due to it’s subject, Pride received a limited release at first but expanded its reach in accordance with a rise in both popularity and critical acclaim. Even with its story, it is a real hoot and enjoyment to watch; with Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian calling it, “impassioned and lovable.” It also won the Queer Palm award (dedicated to LGBT cinema, albeit a controversial award for side-lining films with those themes) at the 2012 Cannes Festival. This award-winning picture is available now on both DVD & e-stream through the Library. Watch a clip of one of the most poignant scenes in the film by clicking the link below:
From a historical comedy-drama to a more modern one, next we take a look at Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right (2010). With its incredible cast that includes: Annette Benning (American Beauty), Julianne Moore (The Lost World: Jurassic Park), Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers), Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland), and Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games); this film was always likely to be hit regardless of its premise. That premise focusing on a lesbian couple, Nicole ‘Nic’ (Benning) & Jules (Moore) Allgood, who are focused on raising their two teenage children, one born to each of them through the same sperm donor. When the couple’s 16-year old son Laser (Hutcherson) decides he wants to meet his father, he enlists the help of his 18-year old sister Joni (Wasikowska) who is old enough to access the donor database.
They find his name is Paul Hatfield (Ruffalo), an organic goods restaurant owner and proceed to contact him, without their mothers’ knowledge at first.
The rest of the feature follows the fallout from the kids meeting their ‘father’ and Nic & Jules discovering the whole plot, with everyone getting to know each other. This coincides with and exaggerates troubles in the couple’s marriage, as they fear they are losing their children. A warm film about marriage in general, as well as the universal challenges that come with it (whatever the sexuality of the couple) & family values; it received wide-spread acclamation from critics and audiences. What followed were several award nominations including for the Best Picture Oscar (losing to The King’s Speech). The is uplifting and incredibly realistic film is available now, to watch when and where you want only on e-stream. See Paul’s awkward first meeting with the mother’s by watching the clip below:
Although the days are getting lighter as we approach the summer, I end this blog on a much darker note with Kimberley Pierce’s biographic, Boys Don’t Cry (1999). This shocking motion picture is based upon the events surrounding the hate crime murder of trans man Brandon Teena. It stars Hilary Swank in the main role (who won her first Best Actress Oscar for her part, before Million Dollar Baby), also featuring Chloë Sevigny (American Psycho) and Peter Sarsgaard (Knight and Day, The Batman) in supporting roles. Brandon Teena is a young transgender man from Lincoln, Nebraska, whose sex change is discovered by a former girlfriend’s boyfriend leading to several death threats. Consequently, after engaging in a bar fight, he is evicted and decides to move across the state. Teena relocates to Fall City, looking to find both himself and new love; where he meets and makes friends with two ex-convicts, John Lotter (Sarsgaard) & Tom Nissen and their female friends Candace & Lana Tisdel (Sevigny).
An unsuspecting Brandon begins to enjoy his new life, forms a relationship with Lana and the two conceive plans to eventually move away and work together. However, tragedy strikes as Brandon is arrested (on a previous warrant from Lincoln) and sent to the women’s section of the city prison, and while he is incarcerated Candace discovers his true nature and past through a serious of documents in his home. What follows is a traumatic barrage of abuse (both verbal and physical) from those he once thought friends; with only Lana still on his side; all leading to a harrowing conclusion.
Even though, it received criticism for not portraying the real-life events entirely accurately this drama was still a hit with many in spite of its subject and disturbing origin. The inaccuracies of the story fail to take away from the performances of the actors or the importance of the narrative told. Praise was heaped on Swank and Sevigny, in addition to the handling of such delicate themes. In relation to the themes, the film was well received by the LGBT community for highlighting: self & transgender identity, the causes & nature of abuse and violence against LGBT people. These were especially poignant with the film being released a mere year after another real-life hate murder, of gay U.S. student Matthew Shephard. The impact of Boy’s Don’t Cry is insurmountable and as such it was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry in 2019 for its cultural and historical significance. That cultural and historical significance can be witnessed only on e-stream through the Library now. Get sneak peek from the trailer in the link below:
So once again, I am wishing Happy Pride celebrations to all LGBTQ+ people out there. For those who wish to learn more about what it stands for and the history of what they have endured, look no further than the masterpieces listed above.
Not sure how to access e-stream? Then simply click on the link below…
Bradford College Planet Estream.
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