When we first heard Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Stephan Elliott had come out of the closet, our first response was, “who”?
Then when we remembered Elliott directed the original film version of The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, our next thought was, “Wasn’t he out already?”
But apparently Elliott, who also directed Eye of the Beholder and Easy Virtue, just announced he was gay publicly for the first time yesterday at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards.
“I’ve been offshore for many, many years for another reason… Basically it was because I was scared of who I was. I basically was scared that I was gay. Even after Priscilla I stayed offshore basically because I was frightened of my family. And tonight I’m coming out.”
Welcome to the club, Mr. Elliott, we’re happy to have you. Only we don’t know if we’d give you the thunderous applause your colleagues did at the awards last night.
You’re a 47-year-old filmmaker know
n for making one of the gayest, campiest movies of the last two decades.
You work in an industry where gay directors, at least, are at the top of their field. Lee Daniels (Precious) and Tate Taylor (The Help) didn’t feel the need to hide their sexuality for 20-odd years.
And we can’t help but notice your big announcement comes as your new movie, A Few Best Men (left), is being released—despite advance word that it’s perfectly dreadful. That’s right up there with getting divorced right as your new album drops.
So we’re not gonna rag on you for coming late to the party, but we’re not gonna give you a slice of cake either.
Jon
Elliott ‘came out’ AFTER his new movie had the biggest box office opening of an Australian comedy in over a decade. And while there have been some bad reviews, there have also been some very good ones for the film.
http://www.theleader.com.au/news/local/news/entertainment/movie-blue-mountains-wedding-a-laugh-a-minute/2434010.aspx
http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=18253&s=Reviews
I doubt his coming out had much to do with the film. The last month he’s been drumming up support for marriage equality in Australia, and I imagine his public coming out had more to do with that issue than his film.
Matthew Rettenmund
Typically and unnecessarily bitter response. If we are in agreement that visibility is a plus, and if we like the idea of public figures coming out and the press being less queasy about reporting on gay people, then when people come out, who cares what their reasons are? It’s GOOD. Good for him. He’s not asking for a fucking award, he’s just asking that people understand from now on, regardless of what went before, he is gay.
Now, if he or someone were arguing that he is incredibly brave, boundary-breaking, deserves a medal, then yeah, harrumph at that.
Jim Johns
Your review is weak and misinformed. You have read a feed from another online post and bought it. No wonder gay culture is a backwards entity at times.
Elliott is over here pushing for alot more than his latest movie. I feel his coming out was more about garnering support for gay rights than ticket sales. He did make the mistake of outing a known TV personality here who is not out of the closet. That wasn’t too cool.
Matthew and Jon make very balanced and valid points. I think they should have written this piece instead of you.
heres my review for this page. Sad.
hamoboy
@Jim Johns:
WHo is this known TV personality? Please tell!!!
Jonny
I agree with Matthew above, a totally unfair judgement of Stephan coming out! It had nothing to do with the film A Few Best Men, it was already a proved box office hit with a $2 million opening weekend.
He used the shitty AACTA awards as a platform to address his colleagues and the Australian film industry in which he has worked in most of his life. He was getting something off his chest, he has had issues coming out to his family all his life up until 47 years of age.
How can you be so cruel/disconnected as to say its publicity thing?
So bloody amateur Dan…
Jonny
I agree with Matthew above, a totally unfair judgement of Stephan coming out! It had nothing to do with the film A Few Best Men, it was already a proved box office hit with a $2 million opening weekend.
He used the shitty AACTA awards as a platform to address his colleagues and the Australian film industry in which he has worked in most of his life. He was getting something off his chest, he has had issues coming out to his family all his life up until 47 years of age.
How can you be so cruel/disconnected as to say its publicity thing?
So bloody amateur Dan…
Jonny
I agree with Matthew above, a totally unfair judgement of Stephan coming out! It had nothing to do with the film A Few Best Men, it was already a proved box office hit with a $2 million opening weekend.
He used the shitty AACTA awards as a platform to address his colleagues and the Australian film industry in which he has worked in most of his life. He was getting something off his chest, he has had issues coming out to his family all his life up until 47 years of age.
How can you be so cruel/disconnected as to say its publicity thing?
A completely average write-up..
Franco
He came out when he was ready. Why judge him for that? Leave the man alone.