Tag Archives: Film

Fans Hail Charlize Theron’s Character in ‘Mad Max’ as a Feminist Powerhouse

Have you seen the trailer for Charlize Theron new kick ass action film Mad Max: Fury Road?

In the new movie the South African-born actress plays the role of amputee warrior Furiosa alongside Tom Hardy’s Mad Max. Her character is very much the dominant between the two, and “emotionally drives” the story forward.

During an interview at the on Thursday, Theron was asked if “Max Max” is a “sort of feminist film.”

You know what I think is even more powerful about it? [It’s] that I think George didn’t have a feminist agenda up his sleeve, and I think that’s what makes the story even more powerful, especially how the women are represented in it.

It’s just very truthful, and I really applaud him for that. I think when we use the word ‘feminism’ people get a little freaked out, it’s like we’re somehow, like, being put on a pedestal or anything like that. George has this innate understanding that women are just as complex and interesting as men, and he was really interested in discovering all of that. I think through just his need and want for the truth he actually made an incredible feminist movie.”

Theron has also been praised by the films director George Miller for breaking out of the Hollywood gender stereotype mould and showing “the truth of who we are as women”.

She recently discussed why it’s important for young girls to know what feminism really means in an interview with Elle UK.

This is a good time for us to bring this to a place of fairness, and girls need to know that being a feminist is a good thing. It doesn’t mean that you hate men. It means equal rights. If you’re doing the same job, you should be compensated and treated in the same way.”

Sony Plans to Remake Lesbian Favourite – ‘The Craft’

Great news – The Hollywood Reporter has the information that Sony Pictures are looking to remake the 1996 supernatural feature film The Craft, with Leigh Janiak set to both write and direct the new version.

The original film follows Sarah (Robin Tunney), a new girl in school, who she catches the eye of Nancy (Fairuza Balk), Bonnie (lesbian favourite Neve Campbell) and Rochelle (Rachel True), a witch circle looking for another member. Sarah has natural powers from within to add to their learned spells.

At first they concentrate on spells to improve their lives or get back at enemies in school, touching on issues of racial prejudice, sexism, class and outer beauty. The outsiders in high school get back at those who taunt them. But soon they’re connecting with greater powers. Nancy, Bonnie and Rachel become very narcissistic, while Sarah is worried. Whatever you send out comes back threefold, and she’s not interested in doing harm to others. Then people start dying, and Sarah must summon her powers to keep herself and others safe.

OK, so technically the original film wasn’t meant to be a lesbian/bi film, but I don’t know a single queer woman who doesn’t love this ’90s teen tale of witchcraft woes. What is it, exactly, about modern witchcraft and catholic school girls that screams “lesbianism” hey?

Candles are not inherently lesbian, nor are long flowing skirts, essential oils and wearing multiple chunky silver rings, but in the 90’s they did scream lesbian. Then there was the catholic girls school thing going on. The insane jealousies. Also I was convinced that Rochelle and Bonnie were together.

Reese Witherspoon Slates Actors Who Won’t Play Gay Characters

Reese Witherspoon thinks actors who refuse to play gay roles need to “lighten up”.

During an interview with PrideSource, the actress – who is currently promoting in Hot Pursuit – insists it is the job of actors to “transform” and be “malleable” and become many different characters.

I think gay people are able to play straight roles; straight people are able to play gay roles. The whole point of being an actor is to transform. If people don’t understand that we need to be malleable in our sexuality, then I think they need to lighten up.”

In her new movie she shares an intimate embrace and even a kiss with Sofia Vergara.

She added:

I have a ton of lesbian friends, and I think any kind of women who relates to us or enjoys the movie – that’s awesome! The whole movie is: It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what your sexual orientation is, what you do for a living, what your ethnicity is – women are women, and we all have a lot in common. It’s liberating because it’s not all about our characters’ romantic lives or that we’re chasing men – it’s that we’re running for our lives and we have to figure out a way to get along so that we survive.”

Witherspoon shared a girl-on-girl smooch with Brittany Murphy in 1996’s Freeway.

Head here to check out the full PrideSource interview with Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara.

Amber Heard Discusses Why She Signed to do the New Eddie Redmayne Film ‘The Danish Girl’

Bisexual actress Amber Heard, now married to Johnny Depp has been discussing her reasons for joining Eddie Redmayne in the film The Danish Girl.

In the film, Redmayne plays an artist famous for getting one of the first known gender-reassignment surgeries. Heard plays his wife.

Talking to IndieWire, she said

It’s story about heart and love between two people and identity as well and it just so happens to be also an LGBT issue. Discrimination, identity, family relationships love, all these things within the context of a society. All of these things within a society that doesn’t accept that. Somebody undergoing a sex change to fully realize themselves is incredibly compelling for me.

I’m obviously a major advocate for equality and as a member of the LGBT community, I am honored to be able to be part of a story that represents a part of that struggle and that life.”

Heard has been a staunch advocate for the LGBTI community, which is one of the reasons why she wanted to star in the upcoming film. She came out as bisexual in 2010.

There’s always been gay people. That’s a fact. And I’m not trying to say that having ambiguous gender identity, I’m not saying that’s new. Look at the Greek culture, that’s fairly recent too in the span of human culture, but to actively be able to change it in this way…awesome.”

In the interview the Austin-born actress also discusses the limitations she faced being an actress.

you’re constantly asked to choose between one of two archetypes: sexy or not. And within the “not,” you perhaps can acquire for yourself a few different traits, but they’re going to be severely limited. The story’s not going to be about you. In the former, it’s completely unfulfilling work to undergo and it’s not fulfilling for an audience to watch. It’s incredible frustrating that a system is in place where you have to choose one or the other. I should not have to choose to be taken seriously or to be beautiful.”

The Danish Girl will be released in December.

Anna Paquin Would Return as X-Men’s Rogue on One Condition

Rogue has long been my favourite character in the X-Men series, but the truth is that the mutant heroine hasn’t really had the opportunity to do very much on the big screen.

Played by bisexual actress Anna Paquin in the original X-Men trilogy and a brief cameo in X-Men: Days of Future Past, she got plenty of chances to mope and be a disgruntled teen with unfortunate powers, but she didn’t really ever get into the action and fight the forces of evil.

Rogue had always had super strength and the ability to fly in the comics after permanently stealing Ms Marvel’s powers.

Evidently, Paquin herself has noticed this, and as a result her one requirement for ever getting back into the X-Men franchise is that she has to be allowed to fly and kick ass.

@AnnaPaquinFans if I get to fly, absolutely

— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) April 19, 2015

@AnnaPaquinFans no I'm saying that comic book rogue gets to fly and I never did. I want to be badass rogue not shy teen rogue

— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) April 19, 2015

X-Men: Apocalypse will be the next instalment of the series. It will arrive in 2016.

LGBTQ Documentary Teaches Young People About Love and Identity

Coming to terms to your identity as a young LGBTQ identified person can often be a difficult thing. Not only is there the fear of what will happen when they come out (about being ostracised from friendship groups and kicked out of their homes by guardians) but there are also many questions about the identities themselves.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of queer representation in general but specifically about young people, there’s a lot that young people (both non-LGBTQ and LGBTQ-identified) do not know and there are also myths about LGBTQ identities that need to be dispelled.

Attempting to educate young people across the board is a new documentary called The Year We Thought About Love. As the title suggests, the documentary is about a Boston LGBTQ youth group called True Colors: OUT Youth Theater. The film follows the troupe as they consider their own loves – be it first loves, present loves or heartbreak – and turn it into a stage production.

Although the film is directed towards young people (the audiences who watch the play in the film are also middle and high school students), it doesn’t hold back. For example, there’s the story of trans girl of colour Alyssa who explains that she has been thrown out of her home, there’s Chi a religious gay male of colour who is trying to navigate homophobia at home as well as within his church.

These are the stories that the media very rarely shows or dares to tackle and The Year We Thought About Love shows the true face of the LGBTQ community. Not only this but for many people, it may take the voices of these young people to help them truly understand LGBTQ identities and help them dismiss feelings of ignorance towards queer people.

The Year We Thought About Love can be seen at screenings around the United States this April.

What Is Being Gay (According to the Media)?

Lesbian and gay stereotypes permeate every aspect of our society, especially the media. These cliched views of gay characters have existed since the 1900s and are still prevalent, whether you notice them or not.

All exposure isn’t good exposure; these stereotypes are actually extremely damaging to the LGBT community, especially for queer women.

When it comes to portraying lesbianism on screen, there is an historical tendency to sensationalise the subject matter.

If you believe the work of exploitation directors such as Jean Rollin and Jess Franco, every woman alive is just waiting for any chance to shed their clothes and get down to lesbian business in a very explicit way.

Lesbian Media stereotypes

The Promiscuous Casanova

These ladies have a different woman every night, and make damn sure not to remember their names the next morning. They’re suave, cocky and always managing to get the girl. As viewers, we tend to fancy them, or want to be (look at how popular the Shane haircut got). They are usually presented with frown and general self-hatred is a must.

The Lesbian Psycho

These ladies range from bunny boilers to full blown psychopaths – if they’re not trying to destroy someone’s life, they’re chasing us with kitchen knives.

The Vampire Dyke

These ladies are a mix of pale skin, pouting lips, sharp teeth and no remorse. They are so overtly sexual that labelling them, as a lesbian doesn’t really work, as they want everyone. They’ll kiss you, strip you, lick you and then eat you.

The Hot Lesbian

These ladies are stunningly gorgeous. You’ll watch them wade out of pools in slow motion, climbing off motorcycles in leather one-suits, flicking their gorgeous locks in the wind and licking their plumped up lips in anticipation. These women are there strictly for the male gaze, but men beware, as these women will still your woman. It would appear no one can resist especially the naïve girlfriend of some pumped up jock.

All exposure isn’t good exposure; these stereotypes are extremely damaging to the LGBT community.

Indian Censors Mute The Word ‘Lesbian’ From Film ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’

Last month, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cause controversy when it a issued a list of English and Hindi swear words that were to be banned.

Now the CBFC has asked the filmmakers of Dum Laga Ke Haisha to mute the word ‘lesbian’ from their new movie.

The word was supposed to be said in a court scene where a young boy asks, ‘Mummy, is older sister turning into a lesbian?’

More: Bollywood embraces gay couples in new video

However, the CBFC ruled that it was ‘not appropriate’ for a child to say lesbian and muted the word, as well as deleting four Hindi words.

Director Sharat Katariya said he was amused when censors first objected to the word lesbian and asked,

“[they] said you are removing gaalis (swear words) but lesbian is not a gaali, why are you removing it? So they said the fact that a little kid mouths it, it is not appropriate. And they didn’t find it (the context the word was being used) humorous. But otherwise “lesbian” word can be used. I didn’t argue too much as there wasn’t much scope anyways.”

Sharat Katariya

Director and censorship board member Ashoke Pandit condemned the decision as ‘shameful’ on Twitter with the hashtag ‘freedom of expression.’

https://twitter.com/ashokepandit/status/566176730088370177

“This entire thing makes no sense. To mute the word ‘lesbian’ as though it is a swear word is to disrespect the feelings of the entire LGBT community and this decision doesn’t seem to be in accordance with any rules of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which is followed by the examining committees who rate the film.”

Ashoke Pandit

The romantic comedy stars Ayushmann Khurana and Bhumi Pednekar in lead roles, featuring Kumar Sanu in a cameo.

Kristen Stewart To Join Michelle Williams And Laura Dern In New Kelly Reichardt’s Film

Kristen Stewart has signed up to join Reichardt’s (as-yet-untitled) next film alongside Academy Award nominees, and lesbian favourites, Michelle Williams (If These Walls Could Talk 2) and Laura Dern (the lesbian who coaxes Ellen DeGeneres out of the closet in the famous 1997 “The Puppy Episode” of the television series Ellen).

Stewart has seen a shift in a career as of late – moving more indie, than teen ideal – and receiving critical respectability with her role in Clouds Of Sils Maria. The role won her a Cesar award, which is more impressive than an Oscar because it’s French.

More: Kristen Stewart Wins a César Award, France’s Version of the Oscar

Set in a small-town in Montana, Stewart will reportedly play a lawyer from Boise, Idaho who takes a teaching job several hours from where she lives. Despite her nerves about teaching, she’s determined to prove to herself that she can do it. Soon after taking the job, Beth develops a close friendship with Jamie, a local woman who’s auditing her class. Whether this role will be played by Williams, Dern, or one of the film’s other, less fancy cast members – including Point Break’s James Le Gros, Mad Men’s Jared Harris, and newcomer Sara Rodier – is not yet known.

Polyamorous Love Story Film ‘Twice’ Seeks Funding

If there’s one thing that queer people are collectively fed up with it’s seeing the same old stories time and time again. Representation is nice, yes, but does it always have to be a case of ‘two same sex people meet each other, one realises they aren’t straight and ditches their opposite sex partner’? We’ve seen that time and time again.

And queer media isn’t the only place we’re assaulted with trope-y love triangles either. Take the entirety of the Twilight franchise, for example, or even The Hunger Games. It’s always the same thing – someone taken falls in love with somebody new and then they’re forced to choose.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. Some people aren’t about that choose-y life; why sacrifice one loving relationship just so that you can begin another? Some people are polyamorous and have multiple partners, loving them equally. That’s not talked about very often and there’s a misunderstanding and a stigma surrounding the polyamorous identity but polyamorous love story film ‘Twice’ would like to change that.

Twice focuses on two people, a man and a woman, who experience a polyamorous love story from two very different viewpoints. One of the leads, named Woman, is polyamorous and one of her partners, Man, grows uncomfortable with her identity and her idea of the magic number (the idea that because there are more people involved in a relationship it doesn’t mean that you’ll love each of them any less) and so he breaks up with her.

The film is described by its creators as being “about second chances, actively loving, being honest, coming out, heartbreak, recovery and the power that exists within the everyday story you tell yourself.” That certainly sounds like it’ll hit all of the right notes to be a soppy, popcorn fest and even if it isn’t explicitly queer it certainly appeals to a queer audience who that’s looking for something more than a woman torn between two tedious men.

Furthermore, should Twice prove successful, who knows what sort of stories we’ll get about queer characters in future? Say, an alternative where Brittany on Glee can love Artie and Santana rather than breaking one or both of their hearts.

Half of Twice has been filmed and its creators are looking for $25,000 to finish the rest of the movie. Check it out on Kickstarter here.

Whitney Houston Biopic To Include Lesbian Storyline

One of the world’s best selling artists, there are few souls over the age of 20 who don’t know Whitney Houston’s name. Massively talented, you’ve probably danced around the room to ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)’ or had a little cry to ‘I Will Always Love You’ (which is also the best selling single by a woman in history).

That’s why it was devastating to so many fans when she passed away in 2012. The singer had faced a well documented battle with drugs during her career, something which contributed to her unfortunate passing.

But, as her drug use and chart-topping hits garnered plenty of headlines, another scandal laid in wait. Oft-rumoured was that Whitney Houston’s childhood friend, Robyn Crawford, was also her lesbian lover. And in ‘Whitney’, the upcoming Lifetime movie about her life, Crawford is set to feature.

Yolonda Ross, the actress who plays Robyn Crawford in the film told The Daily Beast that:

“It’s interesting how that, which was a thing that was actually written in the press at one time, was squashed and brushed away when all the other stuff happened in her life later. It’s an interesting part of her life. Whether they were together or not, they were people who were so important to each other.”

As the (alleged) story goes, Whitney and Robyn were incredibly close and in a TIME magazine interview in 1987 Whitney told the publication that Robyn is “sister [she] never had.” According to gossip mongers, the two did date and LGBT activist Peter Tatchell suggested that not only were they an item but that Whitney later married Bobby Brown in 1992 to quell the gay rumours that had run rampant in the late 80s.

Throughout her life though, Whitney denied it, once saying that:

“People see Robyn with me, and they draw their own conclusions. Anyway, whose business is it if you’re gay or like dogs? What others do shouldn’t matter. Let people talk. It doesn’t bother me because I know I’m not gay. I don’t care.”

Meanwhile, following Whitney’s passing Robyn wrote in Esquire:

“And we went around the world. I was her assistant and then her executive assistant and then her creative director. I was her point person for the day-to-day. I traveled all around the world first-class and anyone who ever worked for her will tell you her checks never bounced. You knew she was going to take care of you. She wasn’t going to be in a five-star hotel while you were in a two. I flew the Concorde the way some people ride the bus. She shared the fruits, and she changed a lot of lives. The record company, the band members, her family, her friends, me — she fed everybody. Deep down inside that’s what made her tired.

…And that was Whitney. She could not pick up the phone, and that meant it was too painful. I have never spoken about her until now. And she knew I wouldn’t. She was a loyal friend, and she knew I was never going to be disloyal to her. I was never going to betray her. Now I can’t believe that I’m never going to hug her or hear her laughter again. I loved her laughter, and that’s what I miss most, that’s what I miss already.”

So with a firm denial, an unclear obituary and more than a handful of rumours to go on, the producers of the Whitney movie couldn’t exactly state for certain that Whitney and Robyn dated. There is more than a bit of subtext in the film as they make it clear that the two women could have been a romantic pair.

You’ll be able to see it for yourself when the film premieres on Lifetime on January 17th, 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFzUbjbbPSE

Yolonda Ross Plays Whitney Houston‘s Lesbian Assistant Robyn Crawford in New Movie

Yolonda Ross is set to play Whitney Houston‘s longtime good friend and assistant, who was also rumored to be her lesbian lover – Robyn Crawford in the Lifetime movie, “I Will Always Love You, The Whitney Houston Story”.

Not a stranger to playing gay, Yolonda made her feature film debut in the Award winning independent film “Stranger Inside” which was directed by Cheryl Dunye in 2001. She also stared in Slippery Slope.

The Whitney Houston biopic is being directed by Angela Bassett (her debut), starring Yaya DaCosta Alafia as Houston, and Arlen Escarpeta as Bobby Brown.

The film will chronicle the headline-making partnership between the iconic singer, actress, producer and model, and singer, songwriter Bobby Brown – from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity, to their courtship and tumultuous marriage.

Bassett is directing the film, which is tentatively titled “Whitney Houston,” from a script penned by Shem Bitterman (“Betty & Coretta” – the Lifetime Original Movie that Bassett starred in last year).

“I really just want to tell a story about a boy and a girl who fell in love. And these are the words and this is the place, and these are the people on the outside, you know? And I want to be as honest as I can about doing that.”

Angela Bassett

The film is scheduled to debut in 2015.

Greatest Anti-Heroines of the Silver Screen

It was 20 years ago today that the legendary action movie Léon was released to critical and commercial acclaim. 12-year-old Natalie Portman stole the show as the apprentice hit-woman, despite world-class acting support from Gary Oldman, Jean Reno and Danny Aiello.

We take this opportunity to present 9 other classic anti-heroines who have blown away generations of film-lovers with their sexiness and sassiness.

Bonnie Parker, Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde were a real-life crime duo who caused havoc in 1930s America. This 1967 film portrayed Bonnie Parker (played by Faye Dunaway) as a cigar-smoking femme fatale who you would not want to get on the wrong side of. Check out her skills with a shotgun and gorgeous choice of hats throughout the movie.

Nikita, La Femme Nikita

Assassins seem to be the theme of cinematic anti-heroines. Wan and drug-addicted Nikita (Anne Parillaud) goes on a killing spree after escaping a life sentence in this 1990 tale of cruelty and revenge.

Beatrix Kiddo, Kill Bill Parts One and Two

Who can ever forget that yellow jumpsuit? Samurai sword-wielding Beatrix “the Black Mamba” Kiddo was played with understated charisma by Uma Thurman, directed with dark and bloody humour by Quentin Tarantino. Vengeance is the name of the game once Beatrix awakes from a 4-year-long coma…

Shoshanna Dreyfus, Inglourious Basterds

After his homage to Eastern martial arts movies, Tarantino turned his camera on World War II. Perhaps the most memorable of all the characters in Inglourious Basterds is the young Jewish girl Shoshanna Dreyfus whose parents have been murdered by the coolly psychopathic ‘Jew Killer’, Colonel Lander (played by the marvellous Christoph Waltz). Shoshanna’s aim is to kill the top brass of the Third Reich when they visit her cinema.

Lara Croft, Tomb Raider

Not many good films get made from computer games but Tomb Raider is an exception. This is partly due to a dynamite performance from Angelina Jolie as the titular heroin, jumping, kicking and shooting her way through jungles, deserts, caves and – eventually – an alternative dimension of reality.

Mathilda, Léon

The on-screen chemistry between Natalie Portman and Jean Reno is unsurpassed in action film history. Reno’s hitman trains the pubescent Mathilda in the art of extreme violence so that she can take revenge on the corrupt, drug-addled detective who massacred her family.

Lisbeth Salander, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Few screen anti-heroines exude attitude in the same way as Noomi Rapace, the punk rocker-cum-computer hacker from the first adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s much-loved crime novel. She makes light work of an evil rapist and an equally evil murderer.

Hit Girl, Kick Ass

Yet another apprentice hitgirl, except this one is even smaller and even more ferocious. She takes pity on the goofy and inept superhero Kick Ass and helps him try and destroy a criminal empire.

Hanna Heller, Hanna

This 2011 thriller sees our eponymous anti-heroine brought up in rural Finland to be a bloodthirsty killing machine before being sent to chase down the wily CIA officer Marissa Wiegler.

Ellen Ripley, Alien