Not being a big movie goer, and rarely watching movies on TV, I am probably not the best person to respond.

But, I do recall seeing the occasional movie with a gay theme at a cinema or on TV. That is, general cinema, not at a specific GLBTI film festival. Usually late-night if on TV … or edited a bit for earlier showing.

And I do recall the occasional article in gay press on the subject. Maybe look at http://www.samesame.com.au/features/5344/10-gay-films-you-must-see.htm

There are a number of GLBTI film festivals around the world (including some state capitals and some provincial cities in Australia) where such films are shown – larger Festivals run for a week; others a weekend. I'd be surprized if there are none in NZ.

Obviously, as with all movies, there is a continuum: Non-romantic …. romantic …. sexy …. erotic …. pornographic. General cinema and TV release may get to sexy and very occasionally to erotic. Have never seen any at Festivals which are pornographic (and wouldn't go anyway). Most movies can be purchased on-line on DVD. There's probably some available for on-line download somewhere?

I guess we have to be realistic that GLBTI people are a relatively small percentatge of the total population, so we can't expect to be featured in all movies. At least now (in multi-cultural Australia) we are gradually starting to see a wider representation of various ethnicities on TV programmes. And there is definitely now less recidence to include gay characters/themes in soapies and dramas. And less slurs. So that's progress.

Hi Jordan

In terms of mainstream movies with gay themes, there was Brokeback Mountain, Imagine Me and You, Milk, The Birdcage, The Rocky Horror Picture, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, De-Lovely (actually that was more art house and less mainstream), Philadelphia, American Beauty (OK this only shows a sad side issue rather than a gay relationship), In and Out, Deathtrap, The Crying Game, Boys Don't Cry, Velvet Goldmine..

That's a good start, Jordan. Have you seen any of these?

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Do you get netflix? They have a slew of gay romantic movies that stream on-line. I'm a gay movie fan and i've seen some of the best and little seen movies with gay themes. Strand Releasing has a lot of good titles in ther LGBT catalog:

http://store.strandreleasing.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=5

I'm into the edgier movies like "Burnt Money," "Farewell My Concubine," "if…"

"Better than Chocolate" is a good lesbian love flick, so is "Lost and Delirious" if you want something serious. "Latter Days" is cute and so is Greg Araki's "Nowhere" if you like quirky with a killer soundtrack.

It also helps if you know the truth Hollywood tries to cover up. In the movie "The Krays" (based on a true story) in real life one of the twins was gay, also the flick "Dead Ringers" (also based on a true story) one of the twins is gay, but the movie never says it.

Tell me if you need more info.

Hi Jordan

Below is a list of my favourite lesbian movies. Sorry but I don't know the gay boy ones as much. Like RQC, I prefer more edgy and arthouse films. RQC, if I was in LA we could go to see a film together perhaps. That would be fun. 🙂 We have Hares and Hyenas in Melbourne where you can rent gay films. And there is the Melb Queer Film festival where they show lots of great doco's as well as other films of all LGBTI genres. My friend was in an excellent one called My Orchid Adventure about intersex issues, which I can highly recommend. Do you have a film festival or gay movie shop near where you live or in any of the major cities? They will post movies out to you.

Favourite Lesbian Movies

Clare of the Moon, When Night is Falling, Tipping the Velvet,The Diaries of Anne Lister (period drama that my ex recommended and I'm yet to see but from her comments, I can already tell I'll like it), Nina’s Heavenly Delights, Butterfly, Elena Undone, The Secrets, Saving Face, Spider Lilies, I Can’t Think Straight, A Marine Story, The Gymnast, Aimee and Jaguar, Love My Life.

The Chinese Botanist's Daughter is an excellent film but very violent in parts and has a sad ending so I can't list it in my fave's but it stands out in my mind as beautiful and poignant in other ways.

Oh and one of my all-time favourite movies is All About My Mother, which has trans themes but is more about women and mothers. The acting, dialogue, relationships, themes, cinematography, directing and production are all excellent and really beautiful. It's in Spanish though so as long as you don't mind sub titles.

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Thanks Ann 😛 speaking of movies with subtitles, I watched a gay themed movie a few weeks ago called 'Patrik Age 1.5'

It was all in subtitles, but it was such a hilarious movie I didn't mind it at all. I just had to read fast! Lol 😀

Thanks again!