Showing posts with label T.V Shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label T.V Shows. Show all posts
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Gay roles on television need to be real
When it comes to the portrayal of gay and lesbian people on TV, it's still the same old issues and cliches
Let me begin by saying that whatever conclusions I draw, they will be incorrect. I will have said the wrong thing, sold out, screwed over the sisterhood or dissed my brothers. I'm simply not capable of representing the diverse and dizzyingly rich panorama of gay existence, and neither, it transpires, is television.
Although the BBC and Channel 4 fare well in this report, there is much left to do. The responsibility must fall on the biggest hitters – soap operas. Watched by millions of middle Englanders week after week, they could change the perception of gay people where it matters most. In 1987, EastEnders' Barry and Colin shared a chaste mouth-graze. In 1994, Brookside's Beth and Margaret locked lips. Coronation Street discovered lesbians this year. If gay history had evolved as slowly and timidly as television portrayed it, then the first drag queen would be tiptoeing out of the primordial ooze around about now.
What saddens me is that the same issues keep arising. For gay men, it's the predominance of the camp cliche. For lesbians, despair at the outdated butch-femme stereotypes. Gay women generally are under-represented, unless you count the number of times the word "lesbian" or "dyke" features as a lazy comic's punchline.
As compensation we have gay-centric dramas; the excellent Sugar Rush and the groundbreaking Queer as Folk. Maybe the up-and-coming Lip Service on BBC3 will join those ranks. But surely, in order for true ground to break, there has to be a middle way – something between the tepid sexlessness of the soaps' queer couplings and the separatist universe of the US show The L Word, in which the characters are like something out of the Barbie Lesbian Range: the tennis pro with detachable miniskirt, the hairdresser with blow-drier.
For me the solution is less "L" word than "I" word. Issues. Gay characters are a gift because they can deliver the shock value that soap operas are hardwired to. But surely, by normalising rather than pathologising gay culture you please not only gay respondents, but the 19% of heterosexual viewers that the report reveals are still squeamish about our presence on their screens.
When gay characters stop cat-hoarding, scatter-cushion throwing and compulsively shagging — when we're just sitting around paying bills like Average Jos – then middle England, and the Queer Nation, will be happy
True Lesbiღns
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
New lesbian drama on the way for UK
A BBC lesbian drama is causing a stir in the UK before it has even aired.
Lip Service follows the lives of a group of lesbians in their 20s. Although it is set in Glasgow rather than West Hollywood, there are clear parallels with The L Word – it's based around friendships, relationships, general life struggles and sex.
The show's apparently 'saucy' content has already grabbed British tabloid headlines, with News of the World reporting a show insider as saying: "Lip Service has the same buzz as Queer As Folk but might prove too edgy. There are a lot of naked sex scenes between women. Bosses think it's too explicit for BBC1 - so they're starting it on (BBC) Three."
Another 'insider' questions whether it's an attempt by BBC bosses to gain ratings.
However a reviewer from Beehive City says "Lip Service is far more than glossy lesbo-porn (although it does have quite a lot of that in it), the show has a solid script and multi-dimensional characters that have been well crafted ... It is such a pleasure, and somewhat of a shock by recent standards to see BBC Three commission a genuinely interesting, engaging and provocative drama that young people will enjoy."
Lip Service premieres on October 12 on BBC Three.
Watch a brief clip from the show below:
Lip Service follows the lives of a group of lesbians in their 20s. Although it is set in Glasgow rather than West Hollywood, there are clear parallels with The L Word – it's based around friendships, relationships, general life struggles and sex.
The show's apparently 'saucy' content has already grabbed British tabloid headlines, with News of the World reporting a show insider as saying: "Lip Service has the same buzz as Queer As Folk but might prove too edgy. There are a lot of naked sex scenes between women. Bosses think it's too explicit for BBC1 - so they're starting it on (BBC) Three."
Another 'insider' questions whether it's an attempt by BBC bosses to gain ratings.
However a reviewer from Beehive City says "Lip Service is far more than glossy lesbo-porn (although it does have quite a lot of that in it), the show has a solid script and multi-dimensional characters that have been well crafted ... It is such a pleasure, and somewhat of a shock by recent standards to see BBC Three commission a genuinely interesting, engaging and provocative drama that young people will enjoy."
Lip Service premieres on October 12 on BBC Three.
Watch a brief clip from the show below:
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Lip Service – Lesbian drama coming to BBC Three
Sex, lies and true love in modern Scotland feature in BBC Three’s seductive new relationship drama Lip Service, which follows the lives of a group of twenty-something lesbians.
Starring Laura Fraser, Ruta Gedmintas and Fiona Button, Lip Service is a compelling and sexy six-part series filmed on location in Glasgow, written by Harriet Braun (Mistresses, Attachments) and produced by Kudos Film And Television through BBC Scotland.
Cat (Laura Fraser) is a self-assured architect, unnerved by the return of her former lover, Frankie (Ruta Gedmintas), a talented but emotionally reckless photographer who arrives back in Glasgow unannounced, bringing havoc in her wake.
Fiona Button plays struggling actress Tess, Cat’s best friend and flatmate, who has an uncanny knack of falling for the wrong sorts of women.
Here, writer and creator Harriet explains her inspirations and motivations behind Lip Service.
“The idea initially came about because I was approached by Derek Wax at Kudos (executive producer of Lip Service) who wanted to work on an original project with me. I’d seen Queer As Folk and Go Fish years ago and thought I’d love to do something like that.
“Then The L Word came along, but I figured there was definitely room for another lesbian drama. In my view, lesbians are under-represented on British television – so I thought it was high time we had a series in the UK. And anyway, The L Word was set in California and the weather was much better – it’ll rain a lot more in Lip Service!
“The BBC were extremely receptive to the idea of Lip Service. We didn’t meet any resistance at all – in fact, quite the opposite.
“I wanted to create believable, multi-faceted characters that people can really identify with and also to mix comedy and drama. I wanted it to feel very real and often our most embarrassing moments can end up being very funny in retrospect. There’s also a mystery element to Lip Service that keeps you guessing.
“It was very important to me to that the lesbian characters in this story feel authentic to a lesbian audience. But I don’t think anyone could attempt to portray every member of a community in a drama – if they tried, they’d fail.
“Lip Service follows characters at a pivotal point in their lives – they’re either in their late-twenties or early-thirties. It’s a time when people are often frustrated about where they are in life and wonder if they’ll ever be the person they want to be. Or they’re aware they’ve made mistakes and don’t want to make the same mistakes again. You start to take stock and realise life isn’t a dress rehearsal.
“As a writer, I’m always most interested in what’s going on under the surface. So, it’s also about secrets. I think most of the characters, in one way or another, are hiding their emotions or fears and desires and it’s about the consequences of playing emotional games or not being honest with yourself or others.
“At the heart of this drama are a group of friends and their lives and loves. The relationship between Frankie and Cat is complicated and a catalyst for drama in the series.
“I think, in some ways, Cat and Frankie are two sides of the same coin. They seem very different because Frankie is irreverent, impulsive and boundary-less, whereas Cat’s fairly uptight, a control freak and responsible. But I think, underneath all of that, they are both quite troubled and insecure and are drawn to that in each other. They would also like a bit of what the other one has – Cat would like to be more impulsive and Frankie would like to be more responsible.
“And, of course, the back story is that they were teenage friends who fell for each other. Frankie was Cat’s first love and then they got into a relationship in their twenties, but never got a chance to see it through because Frankie got cold feet and ran off to America. So, for Cat, it’s unfinished business – it’s someone that you loved and can’t let go of and have never really been able to forget.
“At the point Frankie returns, Cat’s trying to move on and then her ex-lover arrives home and it just brings everything back up to the surface again.”
“I can certainly relate to the great love Frankie and Cat have. I was interested in exploring the terrain of people who have been friends and looking at what happens when it turns into love – those situations can be very complicated and drawn out. And I think you see it again and again, people who repeatedly go back to the same person, people who can’t leave an ex alone – even if they are not particularly good for each other.
“Glasgow’s a fantastic city and I loved filming there – although we were outside working on location a lot and I didn’t think it was possible for feet to be that cold!
“I remember once we were filming on the roof terrace of an office block. It was meant to be a mild evening where two characters had gone up there to have a romantic moment. But, when we actually filmed the scene, there was a blizzard so, for continuity’s sake, the crew had to stand over the actors with umbrellas to keep the snow off them, while they were shivering away in light autumn clothing!
“If you’re a fan of character-led drama with a lot of comedy and suspense, then you should have fun watching Lip Service.
“You don’t need to be part of a particular ‘group’ to understand the emotions portrayed, be it heartbreak or fear of failure or love. After all, I really enjoyed Six Feet Under and I’m not an undertaker!”
Derek Wax, award-winning executive producer (Sex Traffic, Occupation), Kudos Film & Television, adds: “So many of the best dramas derive in some way from a writer’s personal passion and experience – as a producer, I’m interested in finding and exploring worlds that haven’t been portrayed before. Harriet wanted to write about characters grounded in a reality which we rarely see on television, to portray an under-represented group and culture.
“In Lip Service, Harriet has created a funny and emotionally-layered relationship drama. She has the ability to combine tragedy and comedy from moment to moment so that one minute you’re laughing and the next you’re deeply affected, as the characters are being torn apart by the emotional pressures of their lives. They are very real, warm and human, but Lip Service doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker side of human relationships.
“Also, what we have created is a drama that is not issue-driven. The characters don’t live in a bubble, it’s about the everyday reality of being gay and being young and it avoids clichés.
“The cultural climate is more accepting towards a drama like Lip Service. It’s hard to think of this series being made 10 or 20 years ago, but lesbian culture is much more visible and confident now. It feels like the time is right for it.”
Matthew Read, executive producer, BBC Scotland, adds: “Lip Service is a truthful, funny and engaging drama which shows an alternative side of Glasgow that’s seen rarely on our screens. Harriet Braun has created a brilliant set of characters that have been brought to life by an incredibly charismatic cast. BBC Scotland are extremely excited to have been involved in the production alongside Kudos Film and Television.”
Starring Laura Fraser, Ruta Gedmintas and Fiona Button, Lip Service is a compelling and sexy six-part series filmed on location in Glasgow, written by Harriet Braun (Mistresses, Attachments) and produced by Kudos Film And Television through BBC Scotland.
Cat (Laura Fraser) is a self-assured architect, unnerved by the return of her former lover, Frankie (Ruta Gedmintas), a talented but emotionally reckless photographer who arrives back in Glasgow unannounced, bringing havoc in her wake.
Fiona Button plays struggling actress Tess, Cat’s best friend and flatmate, who has an uncanny knack of falling for the wrong sorts of women.
Here, writer and creator Harriet explains her inspirations and motivations behind Lip Service.
“The idea initially came about because I was approached by Derek Wax at Kudos (executive producer of Lip Service) who wanted to work on an original project with me. I’d seen Queer As Folk and Go Fish years ago and thought I’d love to do something like that.
“Then The L Word came along, but I figured there was definitely room for another lesbian drama. In my view, lesbians are under-represented on British television – so I thought it was high time we had a series in the UK. And anyway, The L Word was set in California and the weather was much better – it’ll rain a lot more in Lip Service!
“The BBC were extremely receptive to the idea of Lip Service. We didn’t meet any resistance at all – in fact, quite the opposite.
“I wanted to create believable, multi-faceted characters that people can really identify with and also to mix comedy and drama. I wanted it to feel very real and often our most embarrassing moments can end up being very funny in retrospect. There’s also a mystery element to Lip Service that keeps you guessing.
“It was very important to me to that the lesbian characters in this story feel authentic to a lesbian audience. But I don’t think anyone could attempt to portray every member of a community in a drama – if they tried, they’d fail.
“Lip Service follows characters at a pivotal point in their lives – they’re either in their late-twenties or early-thirties. It’s a time when people are often frustrated about where they are in life and wonder if they’ll ever be the person they want to be. Or they’re aware they’ve made mistakes and don’t want to make the same mistakes again. You start to take stock and realise life isn’t a dress rehearsal.
“As a writer, I’m always most interested in what’s going on under the surface. So, it’s also about secrets. I think most of the characters, in one way or another, are hiding their emotions or fears and desires and it’s about the consequences of playing emotional games or not being honest with yourself or others.
“At the heart of this drama are a group of friends and their lives and loves. The relationship between Frankie and Cat is complicated and a catalyst for drama in the series.
“I think, in some ways, Cat and Frankie are two sides of the same coin. They seem very different because Frankie is irreverent, impulsive and boundary-less, whereas Cat’s fairly uptight, a control freak and responsible. But I think, underneath all of that, they are both quite troubled and insecure and are drawn to that in each other. They would also like a bit of what the other one has – Cat would like to be more impulsive and Frankie would like to be more responsible.
“And, of course, the back story is that they were teenage friends who fell for each other. Frankie was Cat’s first love and then they got into a relationship in their twenties, but never got a chance to see it through because Frankie got cold feet and ran off to America. So, for Cat, it’s unfinished business – it’s someone that you loved and can’t let go of and have never really been able to forget.
“At the point Frankie returns, Cat’s trying to move on and then her ex-lover arrives home and it just brings everything back up to the surface again.”
“I can certainly relate to the great love Frankie and Cat have. I was interested in exploring the terrain of people who have been friends and looking at what happens when it turns into love – those situations can be very complicated and drawn out. And I think you see it again and again, people who repeatedly go back to the same person, people who can’t leave an ex alone – even if they are not particularly good for each other.
“Glasgow’s a fantastic city and I loved filming there – although we were outside working on location a lot and I didn’t think it was possible for feet to be that cold!
“I remember once we were filming on the roof terrace of an office block. It was meant to be a mild evening where two characters had gone up there to have a romantic moment. But, when we actually filmed the scene, there was a blizzard so, for continuity’s sake, the crew had to stand over the actors with umbrellas to keep the snow off them, while they were shivering away in light autumn clothing!
“If you’re a fan of character-led drama with a lot of comedy and suspense, then you should have fun watching Lip Service.
“You don’t need to be part of a particular ‘group’ to understand the emotions portrayed, be it heartbreak or fear of failure or love. After all, I really enjoyed Six Feet Under and I’m not an undertaker!”
Derek Wax, award-winning executive producer (Sex Traffic, Occupation), Kudos Film & Television, adds: “So many of the best dramas derive in some way from a writer’s personal passion and experience – as a producer, I’m interested in finding and exploring worlds that haven’t been portrayed before. Harriet wanted to write about characters grounded in a reality which we rarely see on television, to portray an under-represented group and culture.
“In Lip Service, Harriet has created a funny and emotionally-layered relationship drama. She has the ability to combine tragedy and comedy from moment to moment so that one minute you’re laughing and the next you’re deeply affected, as the characters are being torn apart by the emotional pressures of their lives. They are very real, warm and human, but Lip Service doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker side of human relationships.
“Also, what we have created is a drama that is not issue-driven. The characters don’t live in a bubble, it’s about the everyday reality of being gay and being young and it avoids clichés.
“The cultural climate is more accepting towards a drama like Lip Service. It’s hard to think of this series being made 10 or 20 years ago, but lesbian culture is much more visible and confident now. It feels like the time is right for it.”
Matthew Read, executive producer, BBC Scotland, adds: “Lip Service is a truthful, funny and engaging drama which shows an alternative side of Glasgow that’s seen rarely on our screens. Harriet Braun has created a brilliant set of characters that have been brought to life by an incredibly charismatic cast. BBC Scotland are extremely excited to have been involved in the production alongside Kudos Film and Television.”
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Corrie Lesbians finally smooch
CORRIE lesbians Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson finally have their much-anticipated snog next week.
The pair, who play sexually confused Sophie Webster and Sian Powers, lock lips in a surprise kiss.
It happens in next Sunday's episode - after the pals have been rowing all week about Sian's boyfriend Ryan Connor (Ben Thompson).
When they finally sort out their differences, the teens are overcome by emotion - and end up sharing a smooch.
A source from the soap said: "The snog is out of the blue for both of them. The relief of making friends comes out in a kiss.
"They then have to work out their real feelings for each other."
See the steamy scene in Coronation Street on Sunday, April 11 at 7.30pm on ITV1.
On Film, The Trials Of An Iranian Lesbian Activist
In a new feature film, "Cul De Sac," London-based Iranian directors Ramin Goudarzi-Nejad and Mahshad Torkan tell the story of a lesbian woman who flees Iran's repressive Islamic regime. The script draws on the real-life experiences of Kiana Firouz, who plays herself in the film. Hossein Ghavimi, a correspondent for RFE/RL's Radio Farda, asked Goudarzi-Nejad and Firouz about their motivation in making the film.
Actress and documentary filmmaker Kiana Firouz in a scene from 'Cul de Sac'
Ramin Goudarzi-Nejad: The story is in fact based on the life of an Iranian homosexual woman who attempts to draw the world's attention to the voices of Iranian lesbians. She consequently finds her return to Iran impossible. She claims asylum in the United Kingdom, but the Home Office incredibly turns the case down.
She had been making a documentary film about Iranian homosexuals back when she lived in Iran, but the Iranian Intelligence Service found the footage and started following her. She managed to leave the country because she realized that the security service had become suspicious about her activities and the existence of her film. They started to investigate regarding the identity of the filmmaker and interviewees and the content of the documentary, but she was already here in the U.K. to study and work for human rights.
The evidence clearly shows that she is a lesbian [facing persecution in Iran.] But the Home Office did not consider the facts and refused her asylum application.
RFE/RL: What motivated you to make this movie?
Goudarzi-Nejad: I made a short film in 2007 called "Have I Ever Happened?" which at the time was reviewed by Radio Farda. It was about an Iranian poet who was also a lesbian. The film was screened at two international film festivals together with other events. I received lots of messages from Iranian homosexuals, especially lesbians, and they gave me the impression that they were quite impressed and admired the work. They kept asking me to make more movies about homosexuals' lives.
Once Kiana called me while she was in Iran and briefed me on her filmmaking experiences in Iran. She was considering making a documentary film about Iranian homosexuals. She was concerned with finding out whether there would be a chance to screen the film after completion. I gave her my best knowledge about the dangers and risks that she has to take into account, but she seemed determined to do it. So I agreed to support the distribution of her film and to help publicize the voice of this innocent, vulnerable minority internationally.
RFE/RL: Did Kiana write the script of "Cul de Sac" herself?
Goudarzi-Nejad: No, she wasn't involved with writing the script, but it was written based on her life story.
RFE/RL (to Kiana Firouz): I'm interested in what inspired you to act in "Cul de Sac." Can you tell us some details about your role in the film?
Firouz: Sure -- I played the role of an Iranian lesbian in this film. The story is mainly based on my life.
In my opinion, the film potentially falls into the genre of docudrama. It was important to me as an Iranian lesbian to play a role like this. I believe the best way to enlighten people is to raise public awareness through free media, and film is the most powerful medium that can share the difficulties that all Iranian lesbians are experiencing. I strongly believe this film will touch everyone.
RFE/RL: What stage of completion is the film at now? Will it be screened soon?
Firouz: The movie is scheduled to be screened next month. The trailer has been on YouTube since December 2009, and it was watched by more than a thousand viewers just in the first four days.
RFE/RL: Will it appear at film festivals?
Firouz: Yes, it will definitely be shown at film festivals. So far, two film festivals in San Francisco and Canada have invited us.
RFE/RL: Can you tell us about the difficulties you've faced in applying for asylum in the United Kingdom?
Firouz: As an Iranian lesbian activist, I sought asylum in the U.K. My application was turned down and ignored by the Home Office, despite the serious threats to my life that I'll face if they deport me to Iran.
I'm shattered and emotionally devastated that they have dealt with my application so irresponsibly. A serious campaign has been already launched to support me and save my life.
The Iranian Queer Organization and the U.K. Gay and Lesbian Immigration Group are also supporting me. I am ready to take any further risks to fight for our rights.
The situation for homosexuals is not only terrifying and horrible in Iran, but also for those who have escaped to seek asylum in other free countries, mostly signatories of the Geneva Convention, and especially Turkey. It seems to me that fate still does not wish us a peaceful life. We are going to resist and we will take every possible action until the day the whole world hears our voices
Brooke Vincent fearless over lesbian scenes
'Coronation Street' stars Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson are not worried the public might think they are gay when they take part in the soap's first lesbian kiss.
Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson "don't care" if people think their 'Coronation Street' kiss means they are a real-life couple.
The actresses - who play teenagers Sophie Webster and Sian Powers in the soap - are due to engage in a lesbian love story on the ITV1 show and Brooke is convinced members of the public will believe the storyline is real.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, she said: "I think we're going to get a lot of people believing we are gay because we are really close in real life, plus a lot of people think 'Corrie' is real.
"So when they see me and Sacha out together, they might be a bit like, 'Woah!' We don't care though - it's funny."
However, the 17-year-old star was delighted to be asked to take part in the adventurous storyline.
She said: "Me and Sacha are so flattered."
While the girl-on-girl kiss is a first for the ITV soap, the actresses have been inspired by previous soap lesbians.
Sacha, 18, is particularly impressed with her "idol" Anna Friel, whose character Beth Jordache famously kissed another woman on Channel 4's 'Brookside' in 1994.
She added: "Anna Friel, who is my idol, went through a similar thing and she's now doing amazing stuff."
Brooke Vincent and Sacha Parkinson "don't care" if people think their 'Coronation Street' kiss means they are a real-life couple.
The actresses - who play teenagers Sophie Webster and Sian Powers in the soap - are due to engage in a lesbian love story on the ITV1 show and Brooke is convinced members of the public will believe the storyline is real.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, she said: "I think we're going to get a lot of people believing we are gay because we are really close in real life, plus a lot of people think 'Corrie' is real.
"So when they see me and Sacha out together, they might be a bit like, 'Woah!' We don't care though - it's funny."
However, the 17-year-old star was delighted to be asked to take part in the adventurous storyline.
She said: "Me and Sacha are so flattered."
While the girl-on-girl kiss is a first for the ITV soap, the actresses have been inspired by previous soap lesbians.
Sacha, 18, is particularly impressed with her "idol" Anna Friel, whose character Beth Jordache famously kissed another woman on Channel 4's 'Brookside' in 1994.
She added: "Anna Friel, who is my idol, went through a similar thing and she's now doing amazing stuff."
Friday, April 2, 2010
E! Introduces the Ladies of The Real L Word
E! Introduces the Ladies of The Real L Word
For those of you still suffering withdrawals from the end of the groundbreaking guilty please, The L Word, Showtime borrows from Real Housewives to bring you…The Real L World.
However, for those of us who wanted more reality from the first incarnation of The L Word, it remains to be seen if Showtime will deliver. Looks can be deceiving, and lesbian “reality” in L.A. is surely different than the lived reality of queer women in other cities.
E! provides a sneak peak at the cast of the reality series set to debut at 10 p.m. June 20. Described as “a rare, fly-on-the-wall look into the lives of attractive and successful L.A. lesbians,” The Real L Word stars (clockwise from far left):
• Tracy, 29: A film and television development exec new to the lesbian scene, whose mother is having a hard time dealing with her sexuality.
• Whitney, 27: A Hollywood special effects artist is a self-professed terrible girlfriend.
• Nikki, 37: A rep/manager/producer/industry bigwig who publicly came out on The Oprah Winfrey Show and is now engaged and planning her wedding to Real L Word costar Jill.
• Rose, 35: A real estate advisor who wants to settle down, but can’t seem to shake her old habits, who was apparently the inspiration for the character Papi in the original series.
• Mikey, 34: Founder of The Gallery Los Angeles and producer of LA Fashion Weekend, she’s also engaged and trying to plan a wedding of her own.
• Jill, 33: A writer and “Jersey girl next door,” she is engaged to costar Nikki and has the support of her family.
We’re definitely curious to see what kind of picture is painted by the “real” lesbians selected for the new series. Will they parallel the characters in the original series? Fall into classic lesbian stereotypes? Only time will tell.
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