As well as the comissioning editor and the executive producer posting immediately after the programme, we have been reading reactions on this forum over the past few days and will be raising some of the points posters have made during the discussion programme tomorrow night. The debate will be chaired by David Aaronovitch and the contributors will include Matthew Parris, Paul Sinha, Mark Simpson, Julie Bindel and Q-Boy. I hope you will enjoy it and come back here afterwards to continue the discussion!
Most certainly Paula! I'm new to Forums and only decided to join this one to determine the reactions, at a grass roots level, to such a thought-provoking drama. I've definitely been impressed at the informed and intelligent discussions here about LGBT culture since the show & I will be looking forward to contributing further throughout the season!
Interesting concept. I taught clapham junction was boring so switched to my favourite programme. Is it me or is C4 only celebrating this? I never knew it was the 40th anniversary until i switched on the TV..lol
Originally posted by PHarfleet: It seems to me that it can only be judged in the context of its aims. Paul Harfleet
Hey Paul click and read the link I copied into this topic above.
I too have been trying to comprehend its aim in order to be able to gauge whether this programme has achieved what it set out to do. After all, that is the only way fair way to decide if the film has answered the brief.
quote:
Originally posted by PHarfleet: I was pleasantly surprised that the story did not go down a sensationalist road. Paul Harfleet
Hmmm.... if it wasn't sensationalist, I don't quite know what can be considered so. It's the stuff of tabloid headlines in my opinion. (albeit done with good production values)
I really don't think it was sensationlist... It portrayed the sensationlist views that 'communities' can have to, in this case a lone single somewhat reclusive man... I felt that the female characters reaction portrayed this sensationalist somewaht hysterical element well. The fact that to a certain extent her concerns were right raises the question that as a society we underestimate the sexuality of young people.
The boy effectively seduced this older man, yes, the responsiblity lies with the adult to resist. But this portrayel outlines the complexity of burgeoning sexuality and I don't think that a portrayel of these issues equals a sensationalism.
In general the longer I think about this the more intelligent I think the piece was. It seems to be a comment on the apathy that the gay community now has towards the politics of gayness. Just because we nearly have equal rights does not mean that we all have an easy life of acceptance and celebration, some of us struggle and have to deal with homophobia on a daily basis.
I have worked with young people who even now are thrown out of the family home simply for being gay.
To fabster, and all others.... I have just read alot more of the posts, and I think this forum has performed a really task it will be very interesting to see if the debate to be broadcast on C4 later will deal with the issues that have been discussed here as intellegently. Paul Harfleet
yeah some good comments Paul. I think you are right young people are underestimated all the time, and gay young people are no different. And yes A LOT of young people do still get chucked out for simply being gay.
I still don't know what the fuss is about, with theo and tim story. The scene of their first kiss with tear streaming down their faces is still playing in my head, its one of the most moving things I have ever seen on tv, if not anywhere. It was well shot, and done tastefully without being crasse. It certainly was NOT sensationalist.
At last i have a chance to say something to this discussion. I am Bisi, Gay activist from Nigeria, i arrived UK in march for the CHAPS conference and came in April. I came back cos of the atmosphere, where i live in Nigeria, my life has always be at risk of death, molestation, attack, rejection by my parents and even my gay friends.
I came out openly on national television in october 2004 and it has been HELL for me. I though coming to the UK will be a better option, but my very first day in London, i was called a batty man in a public bus, i have had to put up with side comments from my colleagues at work and also pressure from my gay friends for not being quite social.
Today there are many issues gay people faced everyday of their lives, and that coupled with the fact that they are human and struggling for acceptance is another.
I watched the Clapham Junction with my boyfriend and to me it was terrifying at what people can do to kill and destroy someones life for being difference and it also shows that its time for gay men to take responsibility and be honest and loyal in a relationship.
I have always set good examples of how things should be, in education, parenting, showbiz, and other area of life, we should take a bold step and show the world that we can be responsible when it comes to relationship.
