The RENT movie trailer appears to be homophobic — Page 5

There is no doubt that RENT is about love and friendship. But the trailer only wishes to portray it in a way that is palatable to those who are homophobic about the male-male interaction. As such, I find it offensive.

As for the notion that there are bigger battles to be fought, I agree. But when a trailer for a movie that has an important gay male relationship ends up pandering to those who would oppress gay people, then surely the alarm bells must go off. It's like being stabbed in the back by someone you considered a friend.

has the trailer been in theatres yet?

I seriously thought this thread was a joke at first...

art, they didn't show Nathan Lane and Robin Williams kiss in the entirety of The Birdcage, does that make it homophobic? This argument is pretty desperate, and just because the one kiss between two men is not in the trailer doesn't make it homophobic. Would you like for them to have shown the entire movie in the preview? Perhaps then we would get all of RENT's themes quite clearly from the trailer...

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I respect art and broadwaybaby's opinions, but I would also like some clarification between the two. Broadwaybaby, it sounds as if your argument is coming from the stage production, and is carrying over to the film, and Art...you seem to have nothing against the stage musical, but are thus far dissappointed in what you have seen for the film. I don't want to assume, so can you all verify this for me? They are totally different arguments in the sense that if you were dissappointed with the stage version, and thought it did not have enough gay male interaction, that's one thing, but to be dissappointed in a full film version that has yet to reveal itself, that could at the very least portray its gay male relationship as it does in the stage version sounds like someone is really upset about the book for the stage musical. Am I making sense? Anyway, I think acceptance takes a while, which it shouldn't, but history has shown is does. Rent, and whatever gay portrayals are shown, can only have a positive effect.

This thread is tiring and took alot of energy out of me...

My two cents

Its a trailer. The point is to get as many people into the movie as humanly possible. As a very proud gay man I would love to see them try and get as many closed minded conservatives into the theaters as they can. Wouldn't you? Hopefully then the movie (as apose to a minute long trailer) would speak to them in a positive way on the issues of gay relationships...as I know the play has to so many. If not showing two men kissing will get them in, then by all means take it out of the trailer. Hopefully then these people who would be offended by it will not be when they see the whole movie, because they'll see it as a loving healthy relationship based on real things and not just perverted sexuality (or whatever they think).

Also, if its all about a kiss, you're crazy. My boyfriend of three years and I don't really define our relationship by sex...or kissing. I personally felt that the Collins-Angel relationship was handled beautifully and honestly in the trailer. We see angel is a man, we see Collins eye him lovingly, we see them holding hands. It makes it look more sweet and loving and honest and sincere than sexual...and I personally think thats a good thing.

Just my two cents. The trailer looks fierce.

bravo, Parker. I just love your second point. I've been trying to put that into words; you did it beautifully.

Bravo, robbiej!

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This community will never be 'together'. Why? Because we are as magnificently diverse as the rest of America. We have gay Repubs, Dems, Libertarians, Socialists, from every race and religious background, from vanilla to kink. Do you really think we could every agree on everything? Or even anything?

No offense, but no one cares what you think about gay marriage. If you want it or not, that's your business. But the RIGHT to have your relationship protected under the law shouldn't even be a question in anyone's mind. Whether you choose to exercise that right is another matter completely.

I didn't have a problem with the trailer I saw. But the comments from these people who are themselves margianalizing the gay relationship at the very center of RENT and are unfazed by the fact that true gay representation is sadly lacking is disturbing to me.

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No one has ever questioned Republicans liking RENT.

There has been question on why conservatives do? Or why homophobes do? (and they give the same answer as many have on this thread...)

But there is a WHOLE other thread for this particular topic.

:)

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As everyone has said there are homosexual inages in the trailer! Even if the arguement that this is for publicity they still have to show at least some form of homosexual images. Luring people into the theatre that are homophobic to see this movie is not a smart move. The trailer is ment for the public to get a better sense of what they will be seeing. Alot of success for movies comes from word of mouth, so having these people who are clueless cause they didnt know homosexuality was in this movie would not be a smart move at all for publicity.

I do agree we are living in a very certain era right now. There was an argument a while back stating that the gay rights movement is going backward due to shows like Queer eye and Will and Grace. I personally think that these shows are helping the gay rights act. Remember like 10-15 years ago when there were NO gay images on TV. Yes Things Jack does is very sterotypical gay but come on steroptypes are there for a reason. It is up to you to believe them or not. There is always the most extreme sides on the gay shows. Will is opposite jack and there is the full spectrum on Queer eye (not everyone of them is flamming like Carson). We must look at anything dealing with gay issues as a positive thing. A movie like Rent helps the gay rights movement no matter how the advertise for the movie. We are no longer forced into silence as much as we once were. Personally I find it refreshing to be able to step out of my closet for a little fresh air every once and a while. By no means is this country at a place it needs to be. That is why the trailer is not 1-2 minutes of gays making out. But it does show two women kissing and even a step further a drag queen. On a thread there was a great quote:

Homophobics are wrong and gay activists are right, because one group wants rights for some while the other wants rights for all

This quote is the absolute truth. We live in a country that can not look up from the Bible pages long enough to see a population of love and devotion that just would like to be looked upon as a "normal" citizen of this country (full rights and all). In Bare the musical the teacher says the best line in the world, "God made no mistakes." Through my stuggle with religion I find that this really keeps me connected. I am the exact same as every single heterosexual and until the blindfolds can be removed from this county, most importantly our government, homophobia will continue and the gay rights movement will never be finished.

To sun up, embrace a movie like Rent, even through all of its out right or lack there of, images that you feel should or should not be there. Be fortunate that someone saw that this movie has a message that needs to be spread around the world!

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Zoneace--what an ***hole comment. He wasn't asking for "back alley BJs and annonymous buttplugging". HOW DARE YOU??

He mentioned the lack of a gay male kiss. WHY must you and others take it to the extreme? Maybe you should reach puberty before you start thinking and discussing "back alley BJs and annonymous buttplugging".

And theatreboi11: you better give me credit for that quote, buster!

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BRAVO Theatreboi11!!!!

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Well, none of that, while true, negates the fact that we need to evolve in this country. And, one of these days, people are going to be brave again and fight the status quo despite what the public thinks is popular.

So, my point ultimately is that art2 has started an important and relevant conversation. There IS a double standard. And, some of us are tired of being complacent.

All I did say was that I didn't think RENT was the battle to fight on this and that I don't think it's fair to call the the film's trailer homophobic.

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Updated On: 8/11/05 at 02:23 PM