Big Gay Picture Show

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema and more

Taking a look at the world of film through gay eyes - news, reviews, trailers, gay film, queer cinema & more

Watch Clooney, Pitt and Co. In 8: A Play About The Fight For Marriage Equality

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Last night a ridiculously star studded ensemble gathered in LA to participate in a reading of Dustin Lance Black’s play, 8, about the fight for marriage equality in California and more specifically the court case that struck down Prop 8, which has banned same sex marriage in the US’ most populous state.

However if you didn’t stay up to watch the livestream which hit 3.45am UK time, the whole thing is now on Youtube, and we’ve embedded it above. As often with staged readings of plays, it’s slightly static and a little hammy, but it still works and the starry ensemble is certainly impressive.

If you want to watch, start the video above and then click “Skip ahead to start” to get to the beginning, about 30 minutes in. It’s well worth watching, with Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Kevin Bacon, Jane Lynch, John C. Reilly, Chris Colfer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Cleve Jones, George Takei,  Yeardley Smith, Christine Lahti, Jamie Lee Curtis, Matthew Morrison and Matt Bomer all taking part.

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Brad Pitt Joins Clooney & Co. In Star-Studded Prop. 8 Play Reading

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It was already set to be one of the most star-studded plays in history, and now it’s got even starrier as Brad Pitt has signed up for this Saturday’s staged reading of Dustin Lance Black’s play, 8.

He joins George Clooney, Kevin Bacon, Jane Lynch, John C. Reilly, Chris Colfer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Cleve Jones, George Takei,  Yeardley Smith, Christine Lahti, Jamie Lee Curtis, Matthew Morrison, Matt Bomer and others in the one night only event, which hopes to raise millions for the fight for marriage equality.

Black’s play is based on transcripts and interviews with those involved in the court case that sought to overturn Proposition 8, which banned same sex marriage in California. Brad Pitt will star as Judge Vaughn R. Walker, the man who found Prop. 8 unconstitutional.

Until now this incredible starry event looked like it would be limited to the lucky few who managed to snag a ticket to attend the reading at LA’s Wilshire Ebell Theatre. However, it’s now been announced that the whole thing will be livestreamed free on Youtube. The only snag being that as it takes place at 7.45pm LA time, that’s 3.45am in the UK.

Black wrote the play because he believes people need to witness what actually happened in the case, and the Youtube stream is part of that. “People need to witness what happened in the Proposition 8 trial, if for no other reason than to see inequality and discrimination unequivocally rejected in a court of law where truth and facts matter,” said Black. “I’ve built my career around exposing and uncovering ‘the real story.’ The goal of 8 is to show the world that marriage equality is a basic constitutional right and that those who would deny this basic freedom from loving, committed couples have only vitriol and baseless hyperbole to fall back on. The facts are on our side and truth always finds the light. We are doing all we can to help speed that process along.”

You can watch director Rob Reiner’s announcement about the livestream here, and you’ll be able to return there on Saturday night to watch the star-studded production.

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Chris Colfer and Kevin Bacon Join Prop. 8 Play Reading

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It’ll be one of the most star-studded plays in history! On March 3rd at LA’s Wilshire Ebell Theatre, a special gala reading is taking place of Dustin Lance Black’s play, 8. The cast has now been completed with Chris Colfer (Glee), Kevin Bacon, and John C. Reilly signing on to join the already starry ensemble, all supporting the fight to have Prop 8 – which banned gay marriage in California – repealed.

Colfer, Bacon and Reilly join George Clooney, Jane Lynch, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Matt Bomer, Jamie Lee Curtis, George Takei, Matthew Morrison, Yeardley Smith, Campbell Brown, Rory O’Malley, and activist Cleve Jones in the production, which will be the West Coast premiere of the play. 8 is based on the transcript of the court case that overturned Proposition 8 (a decision that is currently working its ways through the appeals court), as well as interviews with the plaintiffs and their families.

Chris Colfer will play Ryan Kendall, a young man who testified about his experience being sent by his parents to so-called “reparative therapy” as a teenager. John C. Reilly will play United States District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who found Proposition 8 unconstitutional after presiding over the historic 12-day public trial. Kevin Bacon will play Charles J. Cooper, the lead attorney for the anti-marriage proponents of Proposition 8

It’ll certainly be an interesting evening, although if you want to go, you’re out of luck as tickets for the charity event have long sold out. The one-night-only event is expected to raise $2 million for the American Foundation for Equal Rights.

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We Were Here (DVD)

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Although it’s a bit of a shame We Were Here didn’t hit DVD  last week, just in time for AIDS Awareness Day on December 1st, the powerful documentary about the impact of HIV and AIDS in San Francisco in the 1980s has now been released. It’s already received plenty of plaudits, including being shortlisted for the Best Documentary Oscar.

We Were Here consists of interviews with San Franciscans who lived through the early years of the emergence of AIDS, giving testimony about its effect on them and those around them. For a younger generation for whom HIV has largely seemed like a manageable condition (whether that’s the truth or not), it’s sobering stuff. [Read more…]