Welcome to Queerty’s latest entry in our series, Queerantined: Daily Dose. Every weekday as long as the COVID-19 pandemic has us under quarantine, we’ll release a suggested bit of gloriously queer entertainment designed to keep you from getting stir crazy in the house. Each weekend, we will also suggest a binge-able title to keep you extra engaged.
The Queerstory Lesson: The Celluloid Closet/Disclosure/Visible: Out on Television
We don’t call it a binge for no reason, folks.
With pride month now in full swing, we think a crash course in the history of queer people on screen is in order. As such, we suggest a marathon of the three best films ever made on the subject. The Celluloid Closet, from directors Rob Epstein and Jeffery Friedman, traces the origins of gay and bisexual characters in the movies all the way back to the early experimental short films of Thomas Edison (yes, we’ve really been around that long). Featuring commentary by Gore Vidal, Tom Hanks, Susie Bright, Whoopi Goldberg, Ron Nyswaner and more, the film uncovers the nasty stereotyping that led gay men and women to be seen as pitiful, doomed, or violent criminals.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Disclosure, from director Sam Feder, focuses on transgender representation specifically, and features a cavalcade of showbiz trans people sharing memories of the images that shaped their own self-worth, and how some of the most positive representation of transgender people is often problematic.
Visible: Out on Television, directed by Pride 50 honoree Ryan White, explores the history of LGBTQ people on both sides of the television screen, and features interviews with writers, directors, actors and media personalities queer and straight alike. The five-part series, much like the two other titles listed here, also explores how good intentions can lead to problematic representation, and how determined artists can do more than just change the face of media–they can change the entire world.
That change, dear reader, is part of why we have a pride month in the first place. What better way to celebrate?
The Celluloid Closet streams on Amazon, YouTube, iTunes & VUDU.
Disclosure streams on Netflix.
Visible: Out on TV streams on Apple TV.
Paul
I am really upset that no mention of Vito Russo in the review of The Celluloid Closet. He spent the major part of his life dedicated to the research of LGBTQ in movies. Traveling around presenting to audiences bis research and publishing a incredible book. Shame on you.