(See letter below)

'Celluloid Closet' documentary highlights stories between lines
Jordan Eicher
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: La Vida

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Deep in the heart of the "Bible Belt," discussion that emphasizes the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experiences, is seen as a rarity by some. However, Monday night, the continuation of a documentary series tackled just that, with the viewing of "The Celluloid Closet."

Don't know if you can read this but it was a letter thanking me for my contribution to getting the documentary made.



"The Celluloid Closet" provides funny and insightful anecdotes on the issue of homosexuality in Hollywood, both on and off the screen. With commentary from players of the silver screen as well-known as Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Curtis, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Fierstein and Gore Vidal, the documentary shows both the tragedy and triumph, as it takes a closer look into the unique subtext throughout the history of cinema.

Tracia Earl, an instructor in the School of Art and one of the promoters of the film series, said she felt the turnout was able to tie real strings to the presentation.

"It's interesting, because I didn't really know who would be coming to this thing, so I chose the documentary route because they tend to be more 'real-life' and people connect with that," she said. "And that's just the point, to make a connection."

Those willing to comment on the documentary and its revelations affecting their own perspectives said they've seen Hollywood's negative stereotypical portrayal of the gay and lesbian community, and although they believe that visibility is a positive thing for the most part, it's films like these that can make them reconsider.

"In 'The Bird Cage' for instance, the main characters are such stereotypes, I don't know if that's better or not," said Jennifer Coulter of Lubbock.

"(Mainstream Hollywood) may be afraid of what they get and in turn not make any money, but then again, they might be afraid of what they get if they did make money," said Jay Davis, a grad student from Louisiana in the counselor education program.

"I think they fact that they exclude so much (of the true gay and lesbian lifestyles) to such a degree, well, someone should grow some balls."

With movies like "The Hunger," "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Philadelphia," "Cabaret," "The Color Purple," "The Boys in the Band" and "Personal Best" under the microscope, "The Celluloid Closet" read between the lines of many films that either had been forced in to subtleness by censorship on filmmakers or profiled by society. Earl said she believes this series will help unravel some of those issue for a region that might otherwise go unaware.

"Queer documentary films serve an important community function by affirming our live, making us visible and enabling us to learn the stories and histories of other queer people in the United States and around the world," she said. "At the same time, films of this kind also help to inform people who don't identify as queer to become more aware of sexual and gender diversity and reduce prejudice and dangerous ignorance."