well i watched it, i enjoyed it, just goes to show prejudice still exists, as is all too often in the news, i felt for the characters in the program, the violin player, buillied and possibly beaten in the end, alfie, beaten and killed, Will there ever be a day when prejudice doesnt exist ??? i doubt it, and they say the gay/bi/transgender population have it easier? i dont think so, there should be more series like this on tv . well done channel 4

We're really sorry you feel bad about the depiction of gay life in the film. Of course, we realised that the film would cause mixed reactions, but it felt important to Kevin and everyone making the film that we made a strong statement about the fact that while there is now legislation against homophobia - there is still widespread homophobic behaviour, whether in attitude or worse in violence. Kevin Elyot wanted to make the point that we all, whether gay or straight, need to be responsible for our actions.

I do agree that it raised alot of interesting points and was a very well made programme. I personally think as a whole there should be more programme's where gay men aren't paedophile, drug taking, adulterous people. But as I said the programme in question was very interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by r2-danny2:
I do agree that it raised alot of interesting points and was a very well made programme. I personally think as a whole there should be more programme's where gay men aren't paedophile, drug taking, adulterous people. But as I said the programme in question was very interesting.

But it seems if your any of those in kevin's words,

quote:

Kevin Elyot wanted to make the point that we all, whether gay or straight, need to be responsible for our actions.

quote:

I do agree that it raised alot of interesting points and was a very well made programme. I personally think as a whole there should be more programme's where gay men aren't paedophile, drug taking, adulterous people. But as I said the programme in question was very interesting.

I can't see any important questions raised. We don't need to be told that homophobia exists, we know it and deal with it.

This drama did more to enforce homophobic views that we all bonk in toilets, abuse chemicals, sleep with kids and are "confused", weak victims of our own making.
I'm certain the writer has been segregated from the real world for quite some time and had to simply resort to assumption.

I'm of the strong belief he used tabloids for research and guessed at the rest.

Yes difficult at times to watch but there was also some good humour.

I know for many this will have been too much in terms of subject and/or content matter; also because they have not experienced the "action" portrayed, some may feel that it was not realistic.

I started my first sexual relationship when I was 11 which lasted for five years. I also remember as a boy watching men from my window and masturbating.

I also regularly "chatted up" a male teacher who I fancied when he gave me lifts home from the theatre club at school. Nothing happened and now I find it hard to believe I did such things but I did.

I was also picked up by a then very famous London Radio DJ when I was just 16. This is only just over a year older than the boy in the production. (We should also remember it was the boy that came on to the older man).

I guess my point is that if I read the above, I could quite easily believe that it could not have happened, but the events took place over quite a few years.

Similarly when combining the stories and events of several characters, a book, film or TV programme can take on the realm of fantasy and possibly leave a nasty taste in the mouth of consumers, who, find it difficult to take on board the subject matter let alone its intensity.

I completely agree with 'brizmaxb'. I can see aspects of the film that have happened in my life and some aspects in my friends. I find it difficult to believe that any gay individual can not make a connection in some way, if not through their own experiences then through those of a friend.


Of course it was extreme, however how much impact would a drama have if it wasn't, thats what good drama needs to get its message across.

It really made me think about the circumstances i have put my self in, taking someone home on a saturday night, makes me realise i've just been lucky.

A fantastic drama, well done

quote:

Originally posted by Elinor C4:
We're really sorry you feel bad about the depiction of gay life in the film. Of course, we realised that the film would cause mixed reactions, but it felt important to Kevin and everyone making the film that we made a strong statement about the fact that while there is now legislation against homophobia - there is still widespread homophobic behaviour, whether in attitude or worse in violence. Kevin Elyot wanted to make the point that we all, whether gay or straight, need to be responsible for our actions.

Hi Producer.

I watched this drama last night and as a straight woman I found it very intriguing not to mention interesting. I normally can't stand to watch gay themed dramas or films because they in my opinion always seem to focus on the sex which in my opinion can be bit too much for me to stomach at times. Some may argue that that is not indeed the case with all gay themed movies or dramas but then maybe I have never really given one a chance before switching over.
Anyway I gave this one a chance, maybe because there seemed to be nothing else on and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters to me seemed real and the acting was superb. I was confused at times though and I wonder if you could help me.
What was the point of the black boy? Was he gay too?
The man, who was going around beating up gays..what was his story? Was he gay? I couldn't figure out if he was or not because he walked right into it with that bloke that ended up beating him to a pulp. I kept thinking that he must have fancied that one because why on earth would he want to take on anyone that obviously bigger and stronger than him? And then he was coming onto the Doctor in the hospital when he was obviously in no state to start another fight…
The man that was seduced by the 14 year old boy? Was he really a paedophile? I know the obvious answer to this is probably yes because he ended up sleeping with the boy but he did try and tell him to piss off at first and this boy was extremely persistent! Paedophiles normally have no self control. The boy also looked older than his years, maybe 17 or 18. It possible that the man did not know his age but then again I can't remember if the man actually admitted if he had seem him in his uniform or not, which would have been a good indication that he was probably underage.
All in all it was a good drama but maybe a little more development of the character background stories would have been useful too.

I think the point about the violinist was not to say whether he was or was not gay in order to illustrate that it can affect anyone. Conjecture and assumption in action.

quote:

Originally posted by bazzzzzzz:
I think the point about the violinist was not to say whether he was or was not gay in order to illustrate that it can affect anyone. Conjecture and assumption in action.

Ah right that is an interesting thought because I was thinking that the violin boy was guilty of looking like a nerd and nothing else.

I have to say that the whole thing was pretty confusing and hard work.The portrayal of gays being paedophiles, drug users etc. was in my opinion homophobic itself. The wedding scene stereotypical (gay vicar crying.I just found it all difficult to get to grips with no real answers to anything.The writer is Gay and "understands" sorry that's not the gay world i live and work in.yes i know these things happen but the portrayal was all wrong in my opinion.Lets see what tomorrow nights programme brings!

This programme underlined modern gay stereotypes just as badly as John Inman and Larry Grayson did in the 70's. Written by some homophobic religious zealot, I presume, the underlying message to the programme was quite simple. If you are gay and wish to practice then be prepared to be battered to death whether you pick up cottaging or in nightclubs. If you are in a relationship then you will cheat, even on a special day. In the two anal penetrations there was no hint of a condom, thereby suggesting gays are quite happy to spread disease and end up like the slightly queenie older guy, who was flogging his programme, and the only one not to get any sex and was heavily hinted at suffering from aids. As for predatory gays it suggests that starts at 14 and quite frightening tha lad was too. Why they had to make the older guy a paedo I dont know but that subject does not belong in a gay programme and if we were to have sympathy for him struggling with his problem, then I for one do not buy into it, a child molester whether into boys or girls is a pervert and neither gay or straight, just simply wrong. As for poor little Billy Elliot with his violin, the programme is telling any youngsters to fall in line with the muggers or be beaten up also as some sort of shirtlifter instead of a talented youth.
Most of what was in the programme happens in life, I know that for a fact but just as I was surprised when I hit the clubs thirty years ago to find loads of John Inmans and Larry Graysons about, there was the balance, the ordinary gay bloke. This programme had no balance, it was thoughtful, provoking, sexy even but totally for ratings and to aid gaybashers with their deepseated beliefs as to what gays are really about.

I totally agree with the last post and i am hoping that C4 will redeem themselves tonight with their programme. It seems that C4 have missed out on a great opportunity once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
I am still totally angry about all of the depictions of modern gay life shown on this programme. Again i will say that this is not a representation of the gay community i know and work with at spanish gay properties.