[extropy-chat] ARTS: Oscar Award comments re Gay and Transgender Films

[nvitamore at austin.rr.com]

I watched the Oscars last night, away from LA and the parties on Sunset
Strip.  (I enjoyed time alone with the freedom to flick the channel when
acceptance awards went on too long - just time enough to watch the latest
designs on HGTV, and then back again.)

I have been to the Grammy Awards and at the Oscar parties on the Strip.  I
loved it - fun, exciting and full of glamour and panache.  Today is
different. Things change. It is not so subdued and regal as it once was,
now it is a bit brash. But change is a good thing, at least when it comes
to the content of this year's films.

I liked George Clooney's comment about changes in relationship of
independent films' brewing content; as the studio majors search for talent.
The independents have become story wise and the studios have become
technology rich.  Perhaps this is needed and they will marry more engaging
and HD, VR and synthetic stories.

I just read a short piece about the content this year. The gay and
transgender storylines couldn't have a place in the sun without freedom
from homosexuality:

"Others weren't surprised that the gay-themed films found mixed success at
the Oscars.

"I think America sent a message to those in the industry that this isn't
something that they're interested in, and hopefully this was something that
weighed heavily on them as they voted for these pictures," said Alan
Chambers, president of Orlando, Florida-based Exodus International, a
Christian organization that promotes "freedom from homosexuality." 
http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/06/oscars.gay.films.ap/index.html

As far as I am concerned, there was not a "mixed" success of gay-themed
films at the Oscars.  Not taking home a majority of awards does not mean
there were not successful; it simply means that someone else's direction,
acting, editing, etc. was a little bit better. Being nominated illustrates
the strong sentiment of quality in filmmaking, especially independent
films.  I'd like a little freedom from the brashness and a little more of
the subdued, gentle quality of Brokeback and the sternly elegant appearance
of Felicity Huffman.

Natasha

Natasha Vita-More
http://www.natasha.cc


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