The Celluloid Closet

1996

102 mins

Directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Documentary

Documentary exploring the historical contexts and evolution of LGBT+ representation in cinema as well as the industry's role in shaping... More

Documentary exploring the historical contexts and evolution of LGBT+ representation in cinema as well as the industry's role in shaping perceptions of the community.

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The Celluloid Closet | Ratings & Reviews

"A first-rate work of cinematic criticism..."

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Entertainment Weekly

"Makes it clear Hollywood wanted it both ways: It benefitted from the richness that gays added to films, but didn't want to acknowledge their sexuality."

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Roger Ebert

"Celebrity interviewees and glossy graphics further turn this into a colorful overview with the popular appeal of a "That's Entertainment!" and with an even more interestingly gay agenda than the history of Hollywood musical comedy."

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The New York Times

"An immensely entertaining, galloping reflection on screen perceptions of lesbians and gay men, from the humorous to the heinous to the heartening."

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Variety

""The Celluloid Closet" goes all the way back to the birth of cinema, to an experimental Thomas Edison short of two men dancing, to trace the odd, funny, sad and disgraceful history of homosexual iconography on film."

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