Check out these films. They each address LGBT issues in an exceptional way. Here's some more about them...
The
Laramie Project
Members of New York's Tectonic
Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming after the murder of Matthew Shepard
to produce this film, which is based on more than 200 interviews they conducted
in Laramie. It follows, and in some cases re-enacts, the chronology of Shepherd's
visit to a local bar, his kidnap and beating, the discovery of him tied to
a fence, the vigil at the hospital, his death and funeral, and the trial of
his killers. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family,
cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It concludes
with a Laramie staging of "Angels in America" a year after Shephard's
death.
Trembling
Before G-d
This
is a documentary built around intimately-told personal stories of Hasidic
and Orthodox Jews who are gay or lesbian. The film portrays a group of people
who face a profound dilemma - how to reconcile their passionate love of Judaism
and the Divine with the drastic Biblical prohibitions that forbid homosexuality.
Boys
Don't Cry
This film is based on actual events. Brandon Teena is the popular
new guy in a tiny Nebraska town. He hangs out with the guys and he charms
the young women, who've never met a more sensitive and considerate young man.
Life is good for Brandon, now that he's one of the guys and dating hometown
beauty Lana but, he's forgotten to mention one important detail: Brandon Teena
is actually a woman named Teena Brandon. When Brandon's best friends make
this discovery, his life eventually is ripped apart.
If
These Walls Could Talk 2
This film is composed of three segments set in the same house, but with different
occupants which spans nearly 40 years. 1961:
When Abby dies of a stroke, her surviving partner of 50 years must silently
face heartbreak and the denial of her status as "family" by the
hospital and Abby's heirs. 1972: Linda, a feminist, out, college student is
ousted, along with her lesbian cohorts, from the on-campus womens' group.
Then Linda meets Amy and comes to understand and fall in love with her, while
learning about her own prejudices. 2000: Fran and Kal want to have a baby.
But they want the baby to be theirs and theirs alone, so to the sperm bank
they go. But difficult decisions need to be made: ordering over the internet?
which donor? what race? what gender? And, is it right to bring a baby into
a world that is undoubtedly prejudiced?
Philadelphia
When a man with AIDS is fired by a conservative law firm because of his condition,
he hires a homophobic/heterosexist small time lawyer as the only willing advocate
for a wrongful dismissal suit. This broke ground in the film industry as the
first mainstream movie to address the AIDS epidemic. It proves to be a sensitive
and heartfelt look at the affect of AIDS on family and friends, as well as
the discrimination faced by people living with AIDS.
Ma
Vie En Rose (My Life in Pink)
Ludovic is a young boy who can't wait to grow up to be a woman. He talks of
marrying the boy next door and can't understand why everyone is so surprised
about it. When his family discovers his gender role confusion, they are forced
to contend with their own discomfort and the lack of understanding from their
new neighbors. Their anger and impatience cave and Ludovic is sent to see
a psychiatrist in the hopes of fixing whatever is wrong with him. A charming
movie that addresses transgender and gender issues in general, through the
eyes of a child. In French with English subtitles.