This film is part of Free
Male Sexuality
Gay men discuss sexuality, masculinity and relationships in a documentary filmed just before the outbreak of AIDS.
Overview
From clubbers at Heaven and cruisers on Hampstead Heath to academics and journalists, gay men offer their candid views on sex and relationships. They give a brief history of cruising, rue the dashed hopes of Gay Lib, and, most interestingly, critique the goal of emulating the traditionally masculine ideal of the heterosexual man, a self-loathing trait still prevalent among gay men today.
There's great poignancy to the interviews with the liberated and proudly promiscuous men seen in this documentary, shot a couple of years before the AIDS epidemic ravaged the community and radically altered representations of gay men in the media. It includes excellent interviews with erotic illustrator Oli Frey, art historian and later AIDS activist Simon Watney, and wry magazine editor Roger Baker. This intelligent and admirably unsensational exploration of homosexual men’s sexuality was filmed for Gay Life, London Weekend Television’s landmark series dedicated to LGBT topics.
Related
Heaven (Gay Life) Heaven (Gay Life)
Factual TV 1980 25 mins
The LGBT current affairs series visits the new Heaven nightclub, contrasting it with other parts of London’s gay scene.
Aids: The Victims Aids: The Victims
Factual TV 1985 27 mins
Two AIDS sufferers recount their experiences battling the disease and society's misconceptions.
Illegal Tender Illegal Tender
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1987 14 mins
Queer psychedelic portrait of a young man’s desires in an industrial wasteland
Once upon a Line Once upon a Line
Documentary 1947 10 mins
Model husbands prove that size isn't everything as they get steamed up over Lilliput locomotives
English Victory at Wimbledon English Victory at Wimbledon
Non-Fiction 1926 2 mins Silent Location: Wimbledon
Action from the 1926 Wimbledon Ladies' Singles final between Kitty Godfree and Lilí de Álvarez.
The Queen in Suffolk The Queen in Suffolk
Sponsored film 1977 19 mins Location: Ipswich
Flag-waving and fanfare in the warm July sunshine for the Silver Jubilee visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to Ipswich and Felixstowe.
Wimbledon's Jubilee Wimbledon's Jubilee
Sport 1926 2 mins Silent
In June 1926 King George V and Queen Mary lead the celebrations for Wimbledon’s 50th jubilee.
Ashford in the Water Well Dressing Ashford in the Water Well Dressing
Amateur film 1963 26 mins Location: Ashford in the Water
Attention to detail, dedication and an artist's touch are needed to create the designs made from seeds and petals that go on to adorn the wells of Derbyshire.
Winning Wimbledon Winning Wimbledon
Sport 1955 13 mins
Highlights from the conclusion of the men’s and women’s singles at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships 1955
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.