Chatter: 10 Gay Themed Films You Should See

This weekend sees the annual Gay Pride march in London which will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York which represented a watershed in the fight for gay and lesbian rights not just in the USA but in other Western countries.  With this in mind, On Celluloid presents a list of 10 gay themed films which you really should see.

1.Brokeback Mountain (2005, Directed by Ang Lee): This film may prove to be the one that took gay themed films into the mainstream taking 3 Oscars including best director but being cruelly overlooked for best picture.  Starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as the star-crossed lovers who have to come to terms with their feelings for each other whilst they tend the sheep up on Brokeback Mountain.  A beautiful film which features tender performances from its leading men and stunning cinematography.

2. Victim (1961, directed by Basil Dearden): A film which has a place in queer film history as Dirk Bogarde becomes the first person in film to say the word “homosexual” whilst playing a successful, married barrister who is approached by a young professional man with whom he previously had a relationship who is, in turn, being blackmailed by a gang for his sexuality.  Released in the years preceeding the Wolfenden Report and the subsequent decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK in 1967, this was an incredibly brave film and one which shows just how far the UK has come on gay rights in the last fifty years.

3. Latter Days (2003, directed by C. Jay Cox): Telling the story of a Mormon missionary who is sent to Los Angeles to preach his church’s teachings who ends up in the same apartment complex as a gay party boy.  As they get to know each other, their relationship blossoms and missionary Aaron is forced to choose between his church and his feelings.  This film, written and directed by a former member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, has a superb performance from Steve Sandvoss as Elder Aaron which makes this film.

 

4. My Beautiful Laundrette (1985, directed by Stephen Frears): A landmark film for a number of reasons, not least because it brought the talents of actor Daniel Day Lewis and director Steven Frears to popular attention.  However, it is also significant for the fact that this is a film set during the Thatcher-era showing an inter-racial relationship and for challenging the public perception of gays as effete, weak and feminine.

 

5. My Summer of Love (2004, directed by Pawel Palikowski): Bringing Emily Blunt to prominence, My Summer of Love tells the story not just of a blossoming  relationship between 2 young women but also of romance between the class divide as toffee nosed school girl Tasmin (Blunt) falls for working class girl Mona (played by Natalie Press).  Add in the presence of always reliable Paddy Considine as Mona’s troubled Born Again Christian and you can see the class of this film based on the novel by Helen Cross.

6. Get Real (1998, directed by Simon Shore ): Growing up and realising a difference between you and the other boys at school is the central theme of Get Real which pits Ben Silverstone and Brad Gordon together as Simon and John, one of whom has come to terms with his sexuality but not found a way to come out whilst at school and the high school jock who is fighting his urges.  Silverstone plays his role well and the final scene at the prizegiving will have even the hardest heart in tears.

 

7. The Laramie Project (2002, directed by Moises Kaufman): Matthew Shepard was a young man in Laramie, Wyoming brutally murdered by men who he met in a bar who objected to his sexuality, one of the highest profile gay hate crimes.  The Laramie Project was put together by Moises Kaufman to make sense of the aftermath of such a crime in smalltown America.  A heartbreaking film and a fitting tribute to all those who suffer hate crime of any kind.

8. Beautiful Thing (1996 directed by Hettie Macdonald): Another British film which combines the issues of sexuality and class although this time the protagonists are all working class living in a council high rise in South East London.  This story tells the tale of the burgeoning relationship and coming to terms with it of Ste and Jamie, two young lads who get throw together as misfits on the estate.  This film is particularly interesting for the performance of Linda Henry as Jamie’s mother who goes through the tempest of emotions when a child comes out.

9. Cruising (1980, directed by William Friedkin): Probably the most controversial film on the list as Al Pacino stars as an undercover cop in New York City on the hunt for a serial killer who targets gay men.  Set largely in the S&M fetish scene, this film caused controversy during its filming for its depiction of gay life.

10. Boys Don’t Cry (1999, directed by Kimberley Peirce): An Oscar winning performance from Hilary Swank as Brandon Teena in this cinematic retelling of a true story set in rural Nebraska.  Swank’s character is a girl who turns herself into a boy to attract local women and bonding with new male friends in the process.  Swank is heartbreaking in the lead role and her tender romance with Chloe Sevingny’s character feels real enough to allow the viewer to invest emotionally in the film.