By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Jeffrey Schwarz
Country: united_states
Year: 2012
Running time: 93
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1444284/
Bruce says: “‘I’m fighting for generations that come after me,’ Vitto Russo states early in this excellent documentary. ‘When you talk about gay rights you have to talk about Vito,’ a friend tells the camera. Born in east Harlem but raised in New Jersey, Vito knew that New York was his destiny. He packed his bags immediately after high school graduation. Even when he was suffering from AIDS many years later, he proclaimed. ‘I’d rather die in New York than live in New Jersey.’
“From childhood Vito had a fascination for the movies. He landed a job in the film department at the Museum of Modern Art, a position that gave him access to hundreds of films. Vito believed that much of the collective homosexual self-loathing was formed by the movies. His most acknowledged accomplishment was The Celluloid Closet which carefully and intelligently documents Hollywood homophobia and portrayal of homosexuality, both intentionally and unintentionally, throughout film history. Rejected by fifteen publishers it finally was published by Harper and Row in 1981. It became the subject of an award winning documentary directed by RobEpstein and Jeffrey Friedman in 1995. VITO includes clips from many of the disparate films Vito wrote about: MAEDCHEN IN UNIFORM; WONDER BAR; THE SHOP ON MAIN STREET; YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN; ADVISE AND CONSENT, to name a few.
“Vito was also a founder of ACT UP (the subject of the recent documentary HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE). He made a meager living as a freelance gay journalist. He craved the limelight and nurtured relationships with many stars. He had the unique ability to bring out those stars to rally around AIDS issues at a time when unequivocal AIDS publicity was much needed. His relationship with his long-time partner Jeffrey was bittersweet; Jeffrey had little ambition as opposed to Vito who always craved the spotlight. Vito’s infectious love of life was appreciated by his family, friends and fellow activists. His is a life to celebrate. Much of the subject matter in VITO has been covered in other films which slightly diminishes its impact. 4 cats
“(VITO screened at the 2012 Provincetown International Film Festival. It is part of a summer documentary series on HBO.)”
Chris says: “Vito Russo’s contributions to the gay liberation movement in the ‘70s and AIDS activism in the ‘80s were nothing to scoff at. Still, he might remain unknown to most people today if not for The Celluloid Closet, his groundbreaking 1981 book on how gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered characters were portrayed (or coded) in Hollywood films throughout the decades. It began as a research project that evolved into a lecture series, taking nearly a decade to complete. Although it now seems like a product of its time, given the advances queer visibility has made since the book’s publication, it’s still an essential film studies text.
“Jeffrey Schwarz’s documentary pays tribute to Russo’s short (he died of AIDS at age 44) but full life. He grew up in the Bronx, perceived as different and a sissy but a beneficiary of rare (for the era) support from his tight-knit family (many of whom are interviewed here). His life as an out and outspoken young man in pre-Stonewall New York City nearly fascinates as much as his emergence post-Stonewall leading the early gay rights group Gay Activists Alliance. Following his book’s publication, he became involved with Jeffrey Sevick, a shy Californian who was in many ways Russo’s opposite. Sevick’s death from AIDS only intensified Russo’s activism as his involvement in ACT UP and media presence as someone living with the illness continued until his own death a few years later.
“For someone who extensively studied portrayals of LGBT people on screen, Russo himself comes off as a rich personality: articulate, impassioned and engaging. If Schwarz’s film seems a bit by-the-numbers at times and courts hagiography, it’s mostly forgivable since you leave VITO fully comprehending was a treat it could be spending ninety minutes in Russo’s company. 4 cats
“(This film screened at the 2012 Provincetown International Film Festival; it premieres on HBO this Monday, July 23)