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Beyond Gay: Politics of Pride |
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Sometimes in North America we take human rights issues for granted and really have no understanding of what it can be like in other countries. In Beyond Gay, before Vancouver Gay Pride Parades’ 30th anniversary, director Ken Coolen and a film production team travel to places where Pride is steeped in protest, in order to experience the powerful oppression that still exists. Homosexuality remains illegal in roughly seventy countries, and in seven it is punishable by death.
The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) brings together members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of inclusive events such as the Pride Parade and Festival.
Ken Coolen is a natural event planner with a strong background in Food & Beverage management and has thrown this energy into many events in Vancouver’s gay community over the years. His accomplishments are as big as his heart.
Vancouver’s Pride Parade originally began as a small protest through the Davie Village and has blossomed into a world-class Pride Parade attracting not only supporters within the LGBT community in Vancouver but their friends worldwide. Spanning 20 blocks and attracting an audience of over 500,000 in 2008, the Pride Parade is Vancouver’s premier celebration of culture and diversity.
The film’s Director Bob Christie is a Vancouver native and Beyond Gay his feature length directorial debut. Along with Aerlyn Weissman, Bob also wrote the movie. Making the movie was certainly an experience for all involved. “I got punched in the head in Moscow and so did our other producer when they jumped us from behind,” said Christie. “It was the first time in my life I have been gay-bashed and it was pretty scary for us.”
Beyond Gay: Politics of Pride took the Best Documentary prize at Montreal’s Image+Nation and will be the Victoria Film Festival’s Canadian Opening Film for 2010. Hopefully with enough exposure it will see a much wider release. Thanks to everyone who worked on getting this movie and its message out.
Check out the website for further information: http://biggaymovie.com
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