In the aftermath of Stonewall, a newly politicized Vito Russo found his voice as a gay activist and critic of LGBTQ+ representation in the media. He went on to write "The Celluloid Closet", the first book to critique Hollywood's portrayals of gays on screen. During the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, Vito became a passionate advocate for justice via the newly formed ACT UP, before his death in 1990.
Writing
Vito's own words, read with devastating clarity
Production
Seamless weaving of personal archive and cultural history
Editing
Pride footage that'll wreck you then rebuild you
Director
Jeffrey Schwarz
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lily Tomlin was so moved by Vito's book that she delayed her own coming out until after his death, fearing she'd overshadow his work.
The documentary's 2011 release coincided with the end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'—a victory Vito campaigned for but never lived to see.
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