The Celluloid Closet (1996)

Name: The Celluloid Closet
Genre: Documentary, History
Released: 1996
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 7.1
Cast: Lily Tomlin, Tony Curtis, Susan Sarandon, Gore Vidal, Whoopi Goldberg

1h 42m France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America

Documentary History

Plot

Serving as a vibrant tribute to LGBTQ+ representation in film, "The Celluloid Closet" chronicles a century of Hollywood's portrayal of gay men and lesbians. Narrated by Lily Tomlin, this enlightening documentary, directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, compiles compelling clips from 120 films to illustrate the evolving depictions of sexuality—from harmful stereotypes to more nuanced portrayals and activism in the 1990s. Featuring contributions from a star-studded roster including Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, and Whoopi Goldberg, the film offers a mix of humor and thoughtful reflections on a significant aspect of cinematic history.

Cast

Lily Tomlin Tony Curtis Susan Sarandon Gore Vidal Whoopi Goldberg Antonio Fargas Shirley MacLaine John Schlesinger Armistead Maupin Arthur Laurents Tom Hanks Farley Granger Quentin Crisp Harry Hamlin Sharon Stone