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Amos Lassen wrote on 04/09/2010:

THE STONEWALL SET from First Run Features



"BEFORE STONEWALL"--our history documented
“BEFORE STONEWALL: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community”

Our Stories, Our Lives

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

“Before Stonewall” (First Run Features) is an obligatory film—it is the story of gay and lesbians and how so much of what we have today was gained for us by a courageous few. In 1969, the New York police raided the Stonewall Inn, a famous gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York. This led to three days and three nights of rioting by the gay community of New York. And thus was born the gay liberation movement in America. It was then that the group of New York men and women said that they had had enough and were not going to take anymore. The closet door of America opened and out we poured—determined to fight for our right to meet and to begin the fight for equality.
In this amazing film, we get a look at the events leading up to that night at the Stonewall and we also see what really made it happen. Up until then we were the victims of horrible and terrifying treatment at the hands of the law enforcement agencies across this great country. This is the story, our story which is at times humorous and at other times revealing but most important—it is our story. The beginnings of the gay rights movement were at times glorious, at times depressing. and always emotional. We had finally decided that being third-class citizens was not for us. Sure, we all have heard of Stonewall but how many of us are aware of what happened before Stonewall. In this movie we have a decade by decade history of gay life in America through historical film footage and interviews with those who lived through the period. I tell so many of my younger friends that when they consider where we, the gay community, are today, to look back and see how it came to be and that those who fought for it are the true heroes.
I have seen this movie many times and it never ceases to amaze
me. The material that has been gleaned from the archives—film clips and photographs of gay life in America from 1900 to the 60s is enough alone to make this film a treasure, But add to that the interviews with those who were alive during pre-Stonewall and that makes this movie priceless. It is a must for everyone but especially for those who are interested in the field of gay studies and for anyone who is socially conscious.
It examines how gay people lived and supported each other in the days before the famous raids which were a catalyst for the gay rights movement. It features many brave individuals who risked life and limb back then by even broaching the subject of homosexuality.
If you consider yourself a member of a community, it is only right that you would want to know the history of that community. Here is an easy way to have a look at our history. It is fascinating, lively, funny, sad and above all intelligent. This is a movie that you owe it to yourself to see.

“AFTER STONEWALL: The making of a gay and Lesbian Community”

The Rest of the Story

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

First Run Features followed its successful documentary “Before Stonewall” with “After Stonewall” which picks the story up and brings it almost up to date. Whereas “Before Stonewall” is revealing and historical and a look at the issues that caused Stonewall to happen, “After Stonewall” picks up the story by looking at gay and lesbian life from the time of the riots to the end of the 20th century. Making it even more relevant is the fact that it is narrated by one of our modern gay heroines, Melissa Etheridge. This film captures the labor of love, the struggles, the battles, the defeats and the victories we have experiences since 1960 and explores how AIDS has changed the direction of our liberation movement.
The two movies, taken together, are a beautifully recorded gay and lesbian history and how we have moved from being a despised group that was often hidden to a vibrant and important part of American life. Again there is a great deal of retrieved archival material and wonderful interviews. Some of the people included are Larry Kramer, Craig Lucas, Barney Frank, Michael Bronski, Rita Mae Brown and Armistead Maupin. Issues discussed include the devastation caused by AIDS, the rise of the gay movie, the Christian right, alternative families and political power.
Beautifully photographed, this is a film that’s as important as its precursor. Many times we forget the blood, sweat and tears that went into making us who we are today. Out icons are here in this film right next to out idols. The movie exemplifies the quote given by Andrew Kopkind which appeared in the intelligent news magazine “The Nation”,

“What started tumbling out of the closets at the time of the Stonewall has profoundly altered the way we live”.

If you have no idea of how we lived way back then, then you must see the films about it. They will make you proud.