The Celluloid Closet (Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, 1995)

Film available online: http://www.tellingpictures.com/celluloidcloset

The acclaimed documentary based on Vito Russo’s groundbreaking book, The Celluloid Closet explores the hidden subtext of more than 100 Hollywood movies – from The Maltese Falcon to Spartacus and Rebel Without A Cause to Thelma and Louise and Philadelphia. A lively cinematic journey through evolving lesbian and gay stereotypes – and homosexual self-image – as seen through the first century of movie-making. With clips from over 100 movies, and revealing interviews with many of the artists who created them.

Keywords: LGBTQ, analysis, documentary, representation