A gay guide to the 1997 Oscars.The Birdcage may be the one obviously gay film that's up for an Academy Award this year, but most of the nominees have at least one gay connection. Here's the Oscar tip sheet for all of us on the pink team. Marvin's Room Marvin's Room is a 1996 film, based on the play of the same name by Scott McPherson. The play, which was directed by David Petrarca, was adapted for the screen by McPherson and directed by Jerry Zaks. Why it's nominated: Best performance by an actress in a leading role, Diane Keaton. Why we care: Gay playwright Scott McPherson adapted his 1990 stage play for the screen before he died of AIDS complications in 1992. Widely perceived as a fable of family love in the age of AIDS, the film was produced by gay Hollywood hotshot Scott Rudin Scott Rudin (born July 14, 1958) is an American motion picture producer and theatre producer known for his award-winning films and Broadway plays and also for his legendary temper. . The Crucible Why it's nominated: Best performance by an actress in a supporting role supporting role n → second rôle m supporting role n → ruolo non protagonista , Joan Allen. Why we care: Based on Arthur Miller's 1953 play, this drama is directed by talented gay Brit Nicholas Hytner Nicholas Hytner (born May 7, 1956) is an award-winning English producer and director. Background Hytner was born in Manchester to a Jewish family, attended Manchester Grammar School and read English at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. . " The Crucible is about the need to demonize de·mon·ize tr.v. de·mon·ized, de·mon·iz·ing, de·mon·iz·es 1. To turn into or as if into a demon. 2. To possess by or as if by a demon. 3. those in a community that are felt to be dangerous, " Hytner told The Advocate last November. "There will definitely be gay people who will be able to relate this story to their own experience. " The Portrait of a Lady Why it's nominated: Best performance by an actress in a supporting role. Barbara Hershey. Why we care: The film is based on the classic novel by 7Henry James, who's recently fumed fume n. 1. Vapor, gas, or smoke, especially if irritating, harmful, or strong. 2. A strong or acrid odor. 3. A state of resentment or vexation. v. up on the gay rumor mill. romantically linked to Oliver Wendell Holmes. The Birdcage Why it's nominated: Best achievement in art direction, Bo Welch (production design) and Cheryl Carasik (set decoration). Why we care: At least the sets were openly gay. William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet star-crossed lovers die as teenagers. [Br. Lit.: Romeo and Juliet] See : Death, Premature Romeo and Juliet archetypal star-crossed lovers. [Br. Lit. Why it's nominated: Best achievement in art direction, Catherine Martin (production design) and Brigitte Broch
Why we care: As directed and cowritten by Australian whiz kid Baz Luhrmann, this ultrahip retelling re·tell·ing n. A new account or an adaptation of a story: a retelling of a Roman myth. of the classic love story features Romeo's best friend, Mercutio, as a cross-dresser and a homosexual. "There's no question he is, " Luhrmann told The Advocate last November, referring to Mercutio's sexuality. "Shakespeare himself had a variety of relationships." Fly Away Home Why it's nominated: Best achievement in cinematography cinematography: see motion picture photography. cinematography Art and technology of motion-picture photography. It involves the composition of a scene, lighting of the set and actors, choice of cameras, camera angle, and integration of special , Caleb Deschanel. Why we care: This hit family film was executive-produced by gay Hollywood producer and manager Sandy Gallin. Michael Collins Why it's nominated: Best achievement in cinematography, Chris Menges; best original dramatic score. Elliot Goldenthal. Why we care: Written and directed by The Crying Game's Neil Jordan, this political drama was produced by Geffen Pictures, headed by gay mogul David Geffen. The Nutty Professor Why it's nominated: Best achievement in makeup, Rick Baker. Why we care: Yes, Eddie Murphy apologized in 1996 for jokes he made early in his career about AIDS and gay men--but that didn't stop him from prancing it up as a Richard Simmons--type fitness guru in his smash hit comeback comedy. P.S.: He was hilarious. The First Wives Club Why it's nominated: Best original musical or comedy score, Marc Shaiman. Why we care: So many reasons, so little space. Three-time Oscar nominee Shaiman is openly gay and a longtime collaborator of First Wife Bette Midler. Gay honcho Honcho A slang term describing the leader or person in charge of an organization. Notes: The CEO of a company could be referred to as the honcho or "head honcho." See also: CEO, CFO, COO, Insider, Leprechaun Leader Scott Rudin produced, from a script that was reportedly doctored by reigning gay wit Paul Rudnick. Jennifer Dundas plays the openly lesbian daughter of First Wife Diane Keaton, and macho woman Lea DeLaria makes a scene-stealing play for First Wife Goldie Hawn. Lone Star Why it's nominated: Best screenplay written directly for the screen, John Sayles (whose 1983 film Lianna dealt with lesbianism lesbianism: see homosexuality. lesbianism also called sapphism or female homosexuality, the quality or state of intense emotional and usually erotic attraction of a woman to another woman. before it was chic). Why we care: A career soldier about to embark on an interracial marriage exchanges the following dialogue with a friend: Soldier 1: You met her family? They gonna be cool about you being a white guy? Soldier 2: Priscilla says they think any woman over 30 who's not married must be a lesbian. She figures they'll be so relieved that I'm a man--Soldier 1: It's always heartwarming heart·warm·ing or heart-warm·ing adj. 1. Causing gladness and pleasure. 2. Eliciting sympathy and tender feelings: a heartwarming tale. Adj. 1. to see a prejudice defeated by a deeper prejudice. Hamlet Why it's nominated: Best screenplay based on material previously produced or published, Kenneth Branagh; best achievement in art direction, Tim Harvey; best achievement in costume design, Alexandra Byrne; best original dramatic score, Patrick Doyle. Why we care: As playwright Terrence McNally wrote in the December 3 edition of the Los Angeles Times, "The greatest gay character ever written is Hamlet.... Reconsider his misogynic mi·sog·y·ny n. Hatred of women: "Every organized patriarchal religion works overtime to contribute its own brand of misogyny" Robin Morgan. treatment of both his mother and his alleged girl-friend, reexamine re·ex·am·ine also re-ex·am·ine tr.v. re·ex·am·ined, re·ex·am·in·ing, re·ex·am·ines 1. To examine again or anew; review. 2. Law To question (a witness) again after cross-examination. his relationship with his best friend, Horatio, and check out his over-the-top enthusiasm for the theater and actors. If it takes one to know one, Hamlet is one. Trust me on this. " The English Patient Why it's nominated: This film's 12 nominations span the Academy's gamut, including the big one: Best Picture. Why we care: In this passionate World War Ii epic, Peter Ruhring plays a British mapmaker map·mak·er n. A person who makes maps; a cartographer. map  mak·ing n. in love with a young Moroccan man. If this gay couple hadn't played footsie Footsie A slang term for the FTSE 100 index. Notes: The Footsie consists of 100 blue chip stocks that trade on the London Stock Exchange. See also: Blue Chip Stock, FTSE, Index, Standard & Poors, S&P 500, Wilshire 5000 equity index Footsie (FTSE) in the desert, Ralph Fiennes and Kristen Scott Thomas might never have kissed. Shine Why it's nominated: Among the film's seven nominations is a nod for Best Picture. Why we care: Played by Nicholas Bell, the first teacher to guide Australian piano prodigy David Helfgott (Alex Rafalowicz, portraying the pianist as a child) is distinctly unmarried. Helfgott's father (Armin Mueller-Stahl) wonders why. Years later, the teacher clears up that mystery by attending one of David's concerts with a male date. Sling Blade Why it's nominated: Best performance by an actor in a leading role and best screenplay based on material previously produced or published, Billy Bob Thornton. Why we care: Aside from his stunning performance as a mentally impaired murderer, Thornton has written one of the best-conceived gay characters of the year. Thornton's real-life pal John Ritter rit·ter n. pl. ritter A knight. [German, from Middle High German riter, from Middle Dutch ridder, from r shines as a small-town gay everyman whose unconditional love extends to the woman he never bedded and the son he never fathered. |
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