As the fight for gay marriage in the U.S. reaches fever pitch Jim de Sève offers this exciting, dramatic and important documentary on the subject.
Review
Kicking off with astounding, recently discovered footage of a 1971 act of public disobedience — in which gay hippies from the Gay Activists Alliance invaded NYC’s marriage bureau — Tying the Knot quickly moves into the present-day battle for same-sex marriage equality. Director Jim de Sève mixes politics with moving personal accounts that illustrate and humanize why this issue is so crucial.
Lois, a lesbian police officer, is killed in the line of duty. Although she married her partner Mickie in 1991, their lack of legal recognition leaves Mickie in a bitter struggle for pension/survivor benefits with Lois’ family. Rural gay Sam has it even worse: after Earl, his husband of 22 years, passes away, the destitute Sam is in danger of losing their home to Earl’s homophobic redneck cousins, who contest the will and routinely terrorize Sam. De Sève juxtaposes these tense, involving stories against examinations of the politics, history and other countries’ policies regarding same-sex marriage rights. A tremendous, accomplished work shot over three years in several countries (including Canada and the Netherlands), Tying The Knot is a must-see.
Audio commentary: With filmmaker and Evan Wolfson of the Freedom to Marry coalition.
Post screening Q&A from the South Carolina G&L Pride festival; Panel discussion from NewFest; never-before-seen outtakes; theatrical trailer; filmmaker and crew biographies
As a gay man living in New York who is out in all aspects of my life, I tend to mistakenly think of myself as having all the rights I really need. For that reason, sometimes I forget (and I admit I haven’t thought enough about) the very real reasons why this issue is so important. There are over 1,000 Federal rights and privileges that straight married people have that gay couples are denied because of the legal invisibility of their unions. This film powerfully and poignantly underscores why gay marriage is such an important issue. The film was entertaining, informative, gripping and enraging all at the same time. Unlike many small independent films, the DVD issue contains many extras that made the whole package even more worthwhile. I strongly recommend this film.
Blew Me Away
