The Celluloid Closet (film)

Last updated
The Celluloid Closet
The-celluloid-closet-movie-poster-1996-1020203535.jpg
Promotional release poster
Directed by
Written by
Produced by
  • Rob Epstein
  • Jeffrey Friedman
Narrated by Lily Tomlin
Cinematography Nancy Schreiber
Edited byJeffrey Friedman
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics
Release date
  • February 15, 1996 (1996-02-15)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1,400,591 [1]

The Celluloid Closet is a 1996 American documentary film directed and co-written by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, and executive produced by Howard Rosenman. The film is based on Vito Russo's 1981 book The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies , [2] [3] and on lecture and film clip presentations he gave from 1972 to 1982. Russo had researched the history of how motion pictures, especially Hollywood films, had portrayed gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters.

Contents

The Celluloid Closet was given a limited release in select theatres, including the Castro Theatre in San Francisco in April 1996, and then shown on cable channel HBO as part of its series America Undercover .

Overview

The documentary interviews various men and women connected to the Hollywood industry to comment on various film clips and their own personal experiences with the treatment of LGBT characters in film. From the sissy characters to the censorship of the Hollywood Production Code, the coded gay characters and cruel stereotypes to the changes made in the early 1990s.

Vito Russo wanted his book to be transformed into a documentary film and helped out on the project until he died in 1990. Some critics of the documentary noted that it was less political than the book and ended on a more positive note. However, Russo had wanted the documentary to be entertaining and to reflect the positive changes that had occurred up to 1990.

Production

Russo approached Epstein about making a film version of The Celluloid Closet and wrote a proposal for the film version in 1986. [4] However, it was not until Russo died in 1990 that Epstein and Friedman gained any traction on the project. After his death, Channel 4 in England approached the filmmakers about the film, and offered development funding in order to write a treatment "and most importantly to determine if it would even be possible to obtain the film clips from studios." [4]

After developing the project for years, fundraising remained the biggest obstacle. Lily Tomlin, the actress and comedian who narrated the film, launched a direct mail fundraising campaign in Vito Russo's honor. [4] She also headlined a benefit at the Castro Theatre, which featured Robin Williams, Harvey Fierstein, and drag star Lypsinka. Steve Tisch, James Hormel, and Hugh Hefner offered "significant support", and the filmmakers began to receive foundation funding from the Paul Robeson Fund, the California Council for the Humanities, and the Chicago Resource Center. [4]

European television again played an important role in funding the project, when ZDF/arte signed on, but it was not until the filmmakers contacted HBO that they were able to begin production. In May 1994, "Lily Tomlin contacted Michael Fuchs, chairman of HBO, on behalf of the project. Epstein, Friedman, Tomlin, and Rosenman flew to New York for a meeting with Fuchs and HBO Vice President Sheila Nevins. At that meeting, HBO committed to supply the remainder of the budget." [4]

Credits

Interviewees

The following people are interviewed for the documentary.

Films referenced

The following is a list of film excerpts in The Celluloid Closet:

Release

In 2001, the DVD of the documentary includes a crew audio commentary, a second audio commentary with the late Russo, an interview Russo gave in 1990, and some deleted interviews put together into a second documentary titled Rescued from the Closet. [5]

Reception and impact

The Celluloid Closet had precursors in Parker Tyler's 1972 book Screening the Sexes and Richard Dyer's 1977 Gays and Film. [6]

The film was released at a dramatic time in gay history, as Bill Clinton was elected president as the first major party presidential candidate to court and to promise openly to gay voters. However, the movement faced a huge public setback when "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was passed. [7] In response to these obstacles, the LGBT-rights movement became increasingly media focused, realizing that the images projected into the world negatively affected perceptions of homosexuality. In 1994, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation was formed as a national organization. The Celluloid Closet came out in 1996, as marches and protests against homosexual representation in film and television grew.

Time magazine noted that "protests [were] aimed specifically at some of Hollywood's biggest and most prestigious films, including The Silence of the Lambs , which features a crazed transvestite who kills and flays women, and JFK , which has a scene in which gays alleged to be conspirators in the Kennedy assassination cavort in sadomasochistic fun and games." [8] The article quoted above features an interview with Kate Sorensen, a member of Queer Nation, an organization that helped to organize the protests: "Every lesbian and bisexual character in these films is accused of being a psychotic killer ... And the girl never gets the girl. I'm tired of that." Gay activists across the country attacked films like these, where the homosexual character is portrayed as a disgustingly erotic killer.

It was believed that these portrayals reflected "a perverse fear of AIDS or the rising intolerance that [had] caused an increase in hate crimes of all kinds. Still, Hollywood's treatment of gays [hadn't] helped. With few exceptions, the homosexual characters in films are creepy misfits or campy caricatures". [8] The release of The Celluloid Closet further emphasized the twisted way homosexuals have been depicted throughout history. Addressing specific issues that were pertinent at the time, Russo exposes the existence of Hollywood homosexuals as well as the uncontrolled homophobia that keeps homosexuality in the closet on and off the screen. [9]

According to writer Richard Barrios, "Russo essentially did for film what ACT UP did for AIDS awareness ... he opened up a world and a culture that had almost never been discussed before under any circumstances, exposing prejudices and hurts." [10] The film continued to motivate the need for positive representation of homosexuals. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation held seminars for staff at Columbia Pictures and Carolco. In addition, Hollywood Supports, a service organization with the mission to combat AIDS phobia and homophobia in the entertainment industry, was founded. [8]

Accolades

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) gives an award called the Vito Russo Award to openly gay or lesbian people within the Hollywood film industry who advance the cause of fighting homophobia. The award was created after Russo's death. The film received the GLAAD Vito Russo Award award in 1996. [11]

In addition, the film was honored with four Emmy Award nominations in 1996. It was nominated for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Informational Programming for editing, sound recording and director of photography. It was also nominated for Outstanding Informational special. Additionally, the film received both a Peabody Award [12] and recognition at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival by winning the Freedom of Expression award. [13]

It was also nominated for the Truer Than Fiction Award at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

Outing is the act of disclosing an LGBT person's sexual orientation or gender identity without that person's consent. It is often done for political reasons, either to instrumentalize homophobia in order to discredit political opponents or to combat homophobia and heterosexism by revealing that a prominent or respected individual is homosexual. Historical examples of outing include the Krupp affair, Eulenburg affair, and Röhm scandal.

<i>Salomé</i> (1922 film) 1923 film by Charles Bryant

Salomé is a 1922-23 silent film directed by Charles Bryant and Alla Nazimova, who also stars. It is an adaptation of the 1891 Oscar Wilde play of the same name. The play itself is a loose retelling of the biblical story of King Herod and his execution of John the Baptist at the request of Herod's stepdaughter, Salomé, whom he lusts after.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latent homosexuality</span> Non-consciously experienced attraction toward members of the same sex

Latent homosexuality is an erotic attraction toward members of the same sex that is not consciously experienced or expressed in overt action. This may mean a hidden inclination or potential for interest in homosexual relationships, which is either suppressed or not recognized, and which has not yet been explored, or may never be explored.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT themes in speculative fiction</span>

LGBT themes in speculative fiction include lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) themes in science fiction, fantasy, horror fiction and related genres. Such elements may include an LGBT character as the protagonist or a major character, or explorations of sexuality or gender that deviate from the heteronormative.

<i>A Florida Enchantment</i> 1914 American film

A Florida Enchantment (1914) is a silent film directed by Sidney Drew and released by the Vitagraph studio. The feature-length comedy/fantasy was shot in and around St. Augustine, Florida, where its story is set. It is notable for its cross-dressing lead characters, much later discussed as bisexual, lesbian, gay, and transgender.

The GLAAD Vito Russo Award is a special GLAAD Media Award presented annually by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. It is named in honor of Vito Russo, a founding member of GLAAD, and presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.123

Boze Hadleigh is an author. Until the 1990s, he published some of his works under the pseudonym George Hadley-Garcia. Several of his books cover popular culture, show business, and LGBT culture. His 22 books have been translated into 14 languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT stereotypes</span> Stereotypes around LGBTQ people and communities

LGBT stereotypes are stereotypes about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are based on their sexual orientations, gender identities, or gender expressions. Stereotypical perceptions may be acquired through interactions with parents, teachers, peers and mass media, or, more generally, through a lack of firsthand familiarity, resulting in an increased reliance on generalizations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vito Russo</span> American historian and LGBT activist

Vito Russo was an American LGBT activist, film historian, and author. He is best remembered as the author of the book The Celluloid Closet, described in The New York Times as "an essential reference book" on homosexuality in the US film industry. In 1985, he co-founded the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a media watchdog organization that strives to end anti-LGBT rhetoric, and advocates for LGBT inclusion in popular media.

<i>Partners</i> (1982 film) 1982 gay-themed buddy comedy directed by James Burrows

Partners is a 1982 American gay-themed buddy comedy film directed by James Burrows and starring Ryan O'Neal and John Hurt as a mismatched pair of cops.

<i>Buddies</i> (1985 film) 1985 American film

Buddies is a 1985 American drama film. It is the first film to deal with the AIDS pandemic, preceding the television film An Early Frost. Directed by Arthur J. Bressan Jr., who died of complications from AIDS two years after the film was released, the film follows a New York City gay man in a monogamous relationship becoming a "buddy" or a volunteer friend to another gay man dying of AIDS and the friendship that develops. The film stars Geoff Edholm, David Schachter, Billy Lux, and David Rose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeffrey Friedman (filmmaker)</span> American film director and producer (born 1951)

Jeffrey Friedman is an American filmmaker. In 2021, he and Rob Epstein won a Grammy Award for their work on the documentary film Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice

Howard Rosenman, also known as Zvi Howard Rosenman, is an American producer and motion picture executive. He specializes in producing romantic comedy films and documentary films. Some of his most popular productions include Father of the Bride (1991) starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton, Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) and The Family Man (2000) starring Nicolas Cage. Rosenman's documentary film Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt won the Peabody Award and the 1990 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature; his film The Celluloid Closet also won the Peabody Award.

Since the transition into the modern-day gay rights movement, homosexuality has appeared more frequently in American film and cinema.

Vito is a 2011 American documentary film produced and directed by Jeffrey Schwarz of the Los Angeles-based production company Automat Pictures. The film documents the life of Vito Russo, gay activist, film scholar, and author of The Celluloid Closet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of LGBT topics</span> Overview of and topical guide to LGBT topics

The following outline offers an overview and guide to LGBT topics.

<i>The Celluloid Closet</i> (book) 1981 book by Vito Russo

The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies is a non-fiction book by film historian and LGBT activist Vito Russo, first published in 1981 by Harper & Row. The book examines the history of depictions of homosexuality in film, particularly in Hollywood films, from queer coded to overt portrayals. A revised edition of the book was published in 1987, with 80 additional pages.

References

  1. ↑ The Celluloid Closet at Box Office Mojo
  2. ↑ Walters, Berry (March 10, 1996). "Documenting Hollywood's homophobia". The San Francisco Examiner . p. B-9. Retrieved June 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ Britton, Bonnie (May 24, 1996). "Hollywood's gays step out of 'The Celluloid Closet'". The Indianapolis News . Indianapolis, Indiana. p. D-3. Retrieved June 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Telling Pictures: The Celluloid Closet". tellingpictures.com. 2004. Archived from the original on 13 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  5. ↑ Duncan, Phillip (June 8, 2001). "Celluliod Closet: SE, The". www.dvdtalk.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  6. ↑ Rosenbaum, Jonathan (1981-08-04), "The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies", Soho News, retrieved 2010-02-25
  7. ↑ "The Gay Rights Movement, U. S.". The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Encyclopedia. 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 Simpson, Janice C.; Cole, Patrick E. (April 6, 1992). "Out of the Celluloid Closet: Gay Activists are on a Rampage Against Negative Stereotyping and Other Acts of Homophobia in Hollywood". Time. Vol. 139, no. 6. p. 65. Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  9. ↑ Smelik, Anneke (1998). "Gay and Lesbian Criticism". In Hill, John; Church Gibson, Pamela (eds.). The Oxford Guide to Film Studies (PDF). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 135.
  10. ↑ Barrios, Richard (2005). Screened Out: Playing Gay in Hollywood from Edison to Stonewall. London: Routledge. p.  5. ISBN   978-0415923293.
  11. ↑ "The Celluloid Closet (1995) - Awards - IMDb". IMDb .
  12. ↑ "The Celluloid Closet". peabodyawards.com. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  13. ↑ Milvy, Erika. "Out and About". www.metroactive.com. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  14. ↑ "12th annual Spirit Awards ceremony - FULL SHOW | 1997 | Film Independent" – via www.youtube.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.