January 6, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Shedding “Moonlight” on the LGBTQ Narrative

 

Credit: A24

Even if you didn’t watch the Oscars, you’ve probably heard about the chaos that is now being referred to as “envelope gate.”

The presenters for best picture – Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty – mistakenly announced “La La Land” as the winner, moments before it was revealed that they had been handed the wrong envelope, and that “Moonlight,” a film that follows the life of a gay, African American boy as he grows up in poverty with his drug-addicted mother, was the true winner.

Though “La La Land” was a great film, what Moonlight’s win means for the future of movies and storytelling is, in general, far more profound. This was the first LGBTQ film to win the night’s most prestigious award: Best Picture.

“Milk” was the first LGBTQ script to win the best adapted screenplay Oscar in 2008, an award that “Moonlight” also won. By winning, screenwriter Barry Jenkins, has paved the way for character perspectives that tackle issues of sexuality further than “Milk” was able to.

What could this open avenue lead to? It’s certainly a game changer for subsequent storytelling within film, plays, and novels. Breaking down the barriers of hetero-normativity is a long overdue movement, considering the legalization of gay marriage occurred in 2015.

“Moonlight’s” win means even more if you think back to the LGBTQ storylines that were snubbed during the 2016 Oscars. For example, “Carol,” a film about a woman going on her own sexual journey, was excluded from the best picture nomination, even though many felt it deserved to be nominated.

One of the biggest stories to break just a couple of days after the “Moonlight” win was Disney’s announcement of its first openly homosexual charactor, LeFou, in their upcoming live-action movie, “Beauty and the Beast.” This information had not previously been revealed to the public, even with the film’s debut quickly approaching.

There’s a possibility that with “Moonlight’s” widely supportive reception, Disney felt confident that an LGBTQ storyline would not deter audiences from seeing the film. This recent breakthrough for the LGBTQ community will hopefully lead to further acceptance of their stories.

If you liked “Moonlight,” here are some more LGBTQ stories you might find interesting:

Books:

“If I Was Your Gir”l by Meredith Russo

“The Great American Whatever” by Tim Federle

“Symptoms of Being Human” by Jeff Garvin

“True Letters from a Fictional Life” by Kenneth Logan

“The Art of Being Norma”l by Lisa Williamson

Films:

“The Kids Are Alright”

“Boys Don’t Cry”

“A Single Man”

“Don’t Call Me Son”

“Closet Monster”

 

This article was first posted on Red Cedar Review and is reprinted here with permission.

Tags: , , in A&E, ARTS, FILM
Related Posts

Nikki Glaser Hosts Historic 82nd Golden Globes, Kicking Off 2025 Awards Season

January 5, 2025

January 5, 2025

Demi Moore Earns Her First-Ever Win, Setting the Stage for Surprises  The 82 Annual Golden Globe ceremony took place on...

Memoria Offers a Thought-Provoking New Year’s Eve Option in Beverly Hills

December 30, 2024

December 30, 2024

Join a Special Screening of Tilda Swinton’s Acclaimed Film at the Music Hall For those seeking a unique way to...

Film Review: The Brutalist

December 24, 2024

December 24, 2024

By Dolores Quintana Filled with grandeur as stark as the Brutalist architecture designed by László Tóth, The Brutalist is epic...

Film Review: Nosferatu

December 22, 2024

December 22, 2024

By Dolores Quintana Claws encased in a velvet glove. The audience helplessly feels Death’s wings enveloping the characters. Robert Egger’s...

Werewolves: Steven C. Miller’s Thrilling New Film in Theatres December 6

December 5, 2024

December 5, 2024

Watch Interviews with Star Frank Grillo and Director Steven C. Miller   What if a supermoon could unleash humanity’s darkest instincts?...

Gotham Awards Spotlight LGBTQ+ Talent with Wins for Vera Drew and Colman Domingo

December 3, 2024

December 3, 2024

LGBTQ Artists Deliver Heartfelt Speeches as They Take Home Top Honors The Gotham Film & Media Institute celebrated the 34th...

Kino Lorber’s Restored Version of Tarkovsky’s The Sacrifice Premieres at Music Hall

November 28, 2024

November 28, 2024

Late Director’s Final Masterpiece Returns to the Big Screen This Friday A restored version of Andrei Tarkovsky’s final masterpiece, The...

Hammer Museum Presents 10th Edition of MoMA Contenders: Screenings, Conversations with Top Filmmakers

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Lineup Features Films by Steve McQueen, Sean Baker, and Brady Corbett The Hammer Museum will host the 10th edition of...

Trailer for Luca Guadagnino’s Queer Drops, Set for Limited Release on November 27

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Based on William S. Burroughs’ Novel, the FilmBrings a Powerful Love Story to Life Not content with releasing one amazing...

The Oscar Micheaux Film Festival Kicks Off at the Culver Theater This Week

October 21, 2024

October 21, 2024

A Week-Long Celebration of Independent and Mainstream Cinema  The Oscar Micheaux Film Festival returns for its sixth annual celebration, running...

Queer Holiday Horror Film Carnage for Christmas Opens October 18 at Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills

October 18, 2024

October 18, 2024

Director Vera Drew Will Moderate a Q&A with Alice Maio Mackay on Friday at 8:00 p.m. Dark Star Pictures is...

Tegan and Sara’s 15-Year Catfishing Nightmare Exposed in New Documentary

October 2, 2024

October 2, 2024

Indie Rock Duo Teams With Filmmaker Erin Lee Carr to Investigate the Scheme Indie rock icons Tegan and Sara, known...

Suspect Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Sell Stolen Warhol Artwork in Beverly Hills Auction House

October 1, 2024

October 1, 2024

The Warhol Print Was Originally Sold by a West Hollywood Gallery  Brian Alec Light, 58, of Hudson, Ohio, is expected...

Sarah Paulson Attends West Coast Premiere of Hold Your Breath at Beyond Fest

September 29, 2024

September 29, 2024

The Chilling Horror Film Set in 1930s Oklahoma Debuts on Hulu on October Actress and Executive Producer Sarah Paulson attended...

Ariana DeBose and Arian Moayed Walk Red Carpet at Fantastic Fest for “House of Spoils” Premiere

September 23, 2024

September 23, 2024

Prime Video Thriller Set to Premiere October 3 Following Exclusive Screening Academy Award winning, LGTBQ actor Ariana DeBose, Arian Moayed,...