Out at the Movies looks back decade by decade at the history of gay cinema, celebrating films which have defined the genre. Indie films, the avant-garde, sex on screen, bad guys, lesbian lovers, transgender films, camp comedies, musicals and gay rom-coms – it’s all here.

As well as highlighting key movements and triumphs in gay cinema, author Steven Paul Davies looks at the influence of gay filmmakers and actors within the industry, as well as some of the most iconic scenes from gay cinema and the most memorable dialogue.

We caught up with Steven to find out more about his definitive guide to gay cinema.

So what exactly constitutes 'gay cinema'?
Most people would define gay cinema as the one where homosexuality is the centre of the film’s conflict. However, in my book, I’ve also covered films that are loved and adored by gay audiences, but without a typical 'gay storyline'. The obvious example is The Wizard of Oz. 

Tell us about your book, Out at the Movies. What can people expect?
Well, I’ve been writing books on film and TV for about six years and I’ve wanted to do this one for a long time. Most books out there on gay cinema are either too academic and for film studies students, or they are just A-Zs and reference guides.

I wanted to tell more of a story about the emergence of gay cinema. Celluloid Closet did that, but the last edition of that ends around the time of Torch Song Trilogy in the late 80s. There have been so many more developments since then. I think my book is more accessible and the kind you could have on the coffee table to dip in and out of. 

I must say though, it was only after Brokeback Mountain that bigger publishers took interest. I think they could see the value of the pink pound! It’s out now, though, and I’m really happy with the end result. I love the way the book looks and the reaction has been good.

What sort of research went into the book?
I watched literally hundreds of gay-interest films, mostly on DVDs that were sent to me by various film companies, both in the UK and US. I also interviewed a few key people in the industry - people like Simon Callow, Sir Ian McKellen and Todd Haynes - and did quite a lot of research at the British Film Institute in London – they have great archives there.

"From the late 50s through to the 70s, gay characters always seemed to be portrayed as emotional wrecks, many of them suicidal, or as villains and people to be feared. Things are better now, though!"

What films featured in the book are among your favourites?
It’s difficult to choose one, but I’m a big fan of Beautiful Thing. It’s a coming of age film with a twist – all the usual teen angst coupled with the angst of realising and learning to deal with being gay. The main characters are believable and engaging, the story is compelling, and I'm a sucker for a (reasonably) happy ending. 

I also loved Brokeback Mountain – it is the romance film of the decade. It has two of Hollywood’s greatest young actors playing roles we would never expect - and doing so outstandingly. For a lighter film, my favourite gay comedy has got to be Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The flamboyant costumes and design are outstanding and who could forget Guy Pearce lip-synching to opera inside an oversized stiletto on top of a moving shiny bus?

How were gay people represented in the early days of film?
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, gay characters were usually cast as the leading man’s effeminate friend or as the sissy, with their sexual orientation understood, but never discussed. Later, especially from the late 50s through to the 70s, gay characters always seemed to be portrayed as emotional wrecks, many of them suicidal, or as villains and people to be feared. Things are better now, though!

Which period in history or key movements do you see as being the most important for the genre?
Throughout the decades, there have always been a few films, here and there, which broke new ground. Victim in 1961 was instrumental in paving the way for the legalisation of homosexuality in Britain. Dirk Bogarde, at the time Britain’s revered matinee idol, risked his career to portray a closeted gay lawyer who stands up to blackmailers at a time when being gay was a crime. Today, yes, things are different, but Bogarde was born in 1921, and homosexuality was only finally legalized in Britain in 1967. As an actor, he risked a great deal to take a crucial role at a time when it made a difference.

Real progress was also made with the rise of independent cinema in the 80s - films like Parting Glances (1986) and Poison (1991). Then Hollywood studios began embracing gay-themed movies with films like Philadelphia (1993) and, of course, Brokeback Mountain (2005), which was a total triumph and a monumental moment in gay film history.

"My favourite gay comedy has got to be Priscilla, Queen of the Desert...who could forget Guy Pearce lip-synching to opera inside an oversized stiletto on top of a moving shiny bus?"

How does American gay cinema compare to European gay cinema?
I think on the whole, from the 60s onwards, gay filmmakers across many European countries produced more artistically significant queer-themed films than their American counterparts. A lot of European gay cinema seems to look at conflicts between classes and generations. I love the films of Visconti, Pasolini and Fassbinder, as well as Derek Jarman and Almodóvar. 

What do you think is next for gay cinema?
Since Brokeback Mountain’s success, producers have been dusting off old gay-interest scripts, so there should be some good gay movies coming out without the old stereotypical characters. Gus Van Sant is about to release Milk with Sean Penn and I’m really looking forward to seeing how I Love You Philip Morris turns out - Ewan McGregor and Jim Carrey playing gay.

When did you first become interested in film?
I really started getting into film when I was about 15 or 16, watching Alex Cox’s BBC2 series Moviedrome - lots of unusual quality films from around the world. I realised then that I had a taste for the offbeat, genre-breaking stuff - films that were a bit different to Hollywood big bangs and boring rom-coms.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
A couple of years ago, I bought a loft apartment in Manchester’s gay village. It’s one of only seven apartments with the world famous Canal Street address. Very Queer as Folk! So a lot of my time is spent socialising with mates – Manchester’s a great city, not just the restaurants, bars and clubs, but culturally, too. 

I also quite like spending time at my place in Herefordshire to relax. It’s nice to have both – the city life and some time in the country, too. I also travel a lot, usually city breaks, and I spent six weeks driving around Europe last year.

Out at the Movies: A History of Gay Cinema, by Steven Paul Davies
Published by: Kamera Books
Released: 23 October 2008
ISBN: 1842432915

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