by John Ruhland

Part 12

Gay and Lesbian Liberation

The movies on this list are well-suited to watching as a group to stimulate political discussions, and may be especially pertinent in the wake of the Seattle WTO demonstrations. Most can be found on video at the Seattle Public Library, or independent video stores.

*highly recommended    **a “must see”

A SPECIAL DAY, Carlo Ponti 1977. A progressive radio announcer and a harried housewife who cherishes Mussolini meet on the day Hitler comes to Italy on parade to celebrate a pact with Mussolini. Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni.

*BLACK IS...BLACK AIN’T, 1995. Marlon T. Riggs, who unfortunately followed conventional medical treatment and died of AIDS treatment, gives a beautiful depiction of what it means to be black, what it means to have AIDS, and more.

THE BROADCAST TAPES OF DR. PETER, David Paperny 1993. Chronicles last two years of life and growth of MD who develops AIDS and unfortunately follows conventional medical treatment.

CHASING AMY. Story of a young bisexual woman.

*DAKAN (DESTINY Guinea), Mohamed Camara 1997. Two men fall in love in a traditional society.

GAY CUBA, Marlene Moleon & Sonja de Vries 1995. Lives and history of gay people in Cuba.

*KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, Hector Babenko 1985. Stars William Hurt. Relationship between gay man and freedom fighter.

**RELAX, IT’S JUST SEX, P.J. Castellaneta. Who is responsible for the death of 300,000 people killed by pharmaceutical drugs?

STRAWBERRY & CHOCOLATE, (Cuba) 1996. Sensitive movie about hetero- and homosexual relationships.

THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK, 1986. Story of first openly gay politician assassinated by a former cop while in office (see THE PARALLAX VIEW).

TORCH SONG TRILOGY, 1988. Very funny and deep look at life of a gay man.

THE WEDDING BANQUET. Taiwanese-American man unable to face family pressure marries a woman, but his parents learn the truth.