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

Ellen Page Joins Laura Linney & Olympia Dukakis In Netflix’s Tales Of The City Revival

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Last summer it was revealed that Netflix was hoping to revive Armistead Maupin’s Tales Of The City with original cast members Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis. Now a new 10-part Tales Of The City mini-series has officially been announced, which does indeed have both Linney and Dukakis attached, and Ellen Page have been announced to join them.

Based on Maupin’s novels and stories, Tales Of The City was first turned into a six-part limited series in 1992. That spawned two follow-ups, More Tales of the City in 1998, and Further Tales of the City in 2001. They have become iconic slices on LGBT entertainment, following gay, straight and trans characters in San Francisco, living and connected to Anna Madrigal’s legendary house at 28 Barbary Lane.

Netflix’s official release says of the new series, ‘Based on the books by Armistead Maupin, this next chapter – Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City – follows Mary Ann (Laura Linney), who returns home to San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter (Ellen Page) and ex-husband Brian, twenty years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing the midlife crisis that her picture-perfect Connecticut life created, Mary Ann returns home to her chosen family and will quickly be drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) and the residents of 28 Barbary Lane.

‘Academy Award nominee and Emmy-, SAG- and Golden Globe-Award winning actress Laura Linney and Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Olympia Dukakis will reprise their roles as Mary Ann Singleton and Anna Madrigal. Barbara Garrick also to return. Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee Ellen Page will join the cast as Shawna.’

“I couldn’t be more excited about this new brand-new incarnation of Tales. It’s set in present-day San Francisco with all the joys and complications that might suggest for the residents of 28 Barbary Lane,’ comments Armistead Maupin. “Mrs. Madrigal’s tenants, both old and new, will be entangled in delicious new adventures and ever-expanding possibilities for love.”

“The magical, vivid world that Armistead Maupin built in Tales of the City is one that offered so many – particularly the LGBTQ+ community – a home for the first time. For many, Tales was the first time they saw themselves on screen,” said writer and showrunner Lauren Morelli. “I am humbled to now find my own home within Tales and to continue telling Armistead’s stories.”

Take a look at the first page of the script below. [Read more…]

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More Tales Of The City May Be Coming To Netflix With Laura Linney & Olympia Dukakis Returning

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The mini-series adaptation of Armistead Maupin’s Tales Of The City is one of the iconic slices of LGBT entertainment in the US. The 1992 six-part show spawned two follow-ups, More Tales of the City in 1998, and Further Tales of the City in 2001. However, since then our screens have been devoid of the adventures of Mary Ann Singleton, Anna Madrigal, Michael Tolliver and co..

That looks like it’s changing though, as Deadline reports that Netflix is working on a revival of the San Francisco-set series. It won’t be a reboot either, as original stars Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis are both attached to star. It’s not clear if any of the other original actors will be back.

There’s certainly plenty of material for the show, as Maupin has written a total on nine ‘Tales’ novels, including three since the last mini-series aired in 2001. The newer books have focussed on the characters two decades on from the previous instalments, contrasting a San Francisco that was vibrant but suffering in the midst of the AIDS crisis, with the city in the 21st Century, when HIV has become a manageable condition (including for lead gay character Michael Tolliver), but many other things have changed.

It would also be interesting if it includes material the final book, The Days of Anna Madrigal, which includes her as a 92-year-old looking back on her teenage life as Andy, the son of a brothel owner in Nevada.

It appears that it’s very early days for the revival, but we’ll have to cross our fingers that it doesn’t get stuck in development hell and we see it on Netflix soon.

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Legendary Actress Olympia Dukakis Steps Up To Support Gay Rights In Cyprus

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Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis has long showed she’s a supporter of all things gay, whether it’s playing Mrs. Madrigal in the adaptations of Armistead Maupin’s Tales Of The City or her more recent turn playing an ageing lesbian in Cloudburst.

Now the Greek-American actress has a few things to say about LGBT rights in Cyprus. Her message comes in response to opposition to the fact the island is due to hold it first Pride event starting on May 31st. That includes the Greek Orthodox Church issuing a statement that includes, ‘The Church and science consider homosexuality to be the human being’s fall from grace and an illness and not a natural way of life or choice’.

We’re not entirely sure what science they’re talking about, as I don’t think they’ve devised a scientific test for ‘fall from grace’ and virtually all mainstream science stopped classing being gay as an illness decades ago.

Dukakis isn’t having any of it though, saying “To be deprived of anything out of what people consider religious principals is repugnant.” We have to agree, especially as when religious people say things like this, they’re not even reflecting what a lot of those who are religious actually believe (even if they present it as a universally accepted truth of their religion) – but if you’re religious and like gay people, nobody reports that on TV. However if you want to have a dumb anti-gay rant, the media floodgates open.

Olympia is also spot on when she says it’s “offensive” to have to ask whether another human being deserves to have equal rights.

And in case you’re interested, there’s also a Kickstarter seeking funding for a documentary about the wonderful Olympia that you can donate to if you’re feeling so inclined. [Read more…]

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Cloudburst Trailer – Olympia Dukakis & Brenda Fricker play aging lesbians

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Cloudburst opened the 2012 London Lesbian & Gay Festival, but it’s only now that it’s heading towards release outside the LGBT film festival circuit, with Wolfe Video releasing a trailer for its upcoming US release (we don’t have a specific date yet, unfortunately).

The film stars a pair of Oscar winners – Olympia Dukakis (Moonstruck) and Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot) – as septuagenarian lesbian lovers Stella and Dottie. After they break out of their nursing home, the duo flee their hometown in Maine and head to Canada to get married, picking up an ally along the way in this most unlikely of road movies.

It’s an interesting subject, as the older generation of gay people has largely been ignored, with rare exceptions such as Beginners. However as those who came of age after Stonewall start to reach pensionable age, it may well be a subject we see addressed more and more. [Read more…]

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Olympia Dukakis Describes Latest Character As A ‘Foul-mouthed, Lesbian Walter Matthau’

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Olympia Dukakis & Brenda Fricker in Cloudburst

The BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival opened last night with a gala screening of Cloudburst, starring Oscar-winners Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker. Just ahead of the screening, Dukakis spoke to The Guardian about the movie, saying that she “loves” the idea that her character in the film is a ‘foul-mouthed, lesbian Walter Matthau’.

She says about Cloudburst, “It’s about two old lesbians who run off to Canada to get married, so that’s completely what it’s about. And the character of Stella is great: very belligerent and in your face. [Director] Thom Fitzgerald kept pushing me out of my comfort zone and making me say things that were more and more outrageous. I looked at the film in post-production and could barely recognise myself. I thought, My God, that’s a man!”

Dukakis, who won an Oscar for Moonstruck and played Anna Madrigal in the mini-series of Armistead Maupin’s Tales Of The City novels, was also asked about her status as a gay icon. She says, “I appreciate that my work is seen and understood and feels relevant to people. And I’m lucky enough to have friends of all different sexual persuasions, some of which are utterly inexplicable to me. So it’s all good. Last year I was grand marshal at the San Francisco gay parade, and that was good too. You get to ride around in a car and wave at people: that’s about it. My arm got so tired from the waving that my brother had to hold it up for me.”

The 26th London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival runs until April1st.

 

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Cloudburst To Open 26th London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

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It’s not too long now until the 26th BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival opens on March 23rd (running until April 1st), and now the first element of what promises to be a very interesting programme has been announced, with the news the Opening Night movie will be Cloudburst.

The film stars a pair of Oscar winners – Olympia Dukakis (Moonstruck) and Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot) – as septuagenarian lesbian lovers Stella and Dottie. It’s an interesting subject, as the older generation of gay people has largely been ignored, with rare exceptions such as the recent Beginners. However as those who came of age after Stonewall start to reach pensionable age, it may well be a subject we see addressed more and more.

According to the BFI, ‘This very funny film shows older women in love and deals with some of the harsh realities of ageing with wit, humour and a great deal of affection. Following their nursing home break out, Stella (Dukakis) and Dottie (Fricker) flee their hometown in Maine and head to Canada to get married, picking up an ally along the way in this most unlikely of road movies.’

It marks the third time director Thom Fitzgerald has helmed a film that’s opened the festival, as The Hanging Garden did so in 1998 and The Event was the opener in 2004. It’s a triple whammy no other filmmaker has matched. He commented, “I’m thrilled and tickled that the BFI has chosen Cloudburst to open its 26th London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. To me, the BFI is more than a national treasure; it’s a cultural icon of worldwide significance. It represents the best in film exhibition and preservation. I deeply appreciate its programmes.”

We’ll find out the full programme for the LLGFF on February 23rd, but they’ve certainly picked an interesting opener.

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