Summary
Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World is a 2003 documentary film directed by American filmmaker John Scagliotti about the issues experienced by gay, lesbian and transgender people in developing countries.[1] It was the first documentary film to explore these issues in non-Western countries.[2][3] It is narrated by actress and comedian Janeane Garofalo. It was produced by Janet Baus and Dan Hunt, both of whom had worked with Scagliotti on his previous film, After Stonewall.[4] The film focuses in particular on Cairo 52, a group of 52 Egyptian men who were arrested on board a floating gay nightclub in 2001. It features interviews with gay-rights activists from countries around the world including Honduras, Namibia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Vietnam.[5]
| Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | John Scagliotti |
| Produced by | Janet Baus Dan Hunt |
| Narrated by | Janeane Garofalo |
| Edited by | Anat Salomon |
| Music by | Don DiNicola |
Production company | After Stonewall Productions |
| Distributed by | First Run Features (DVD) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 62 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Overview edit
The film opens with the Cairo 52. In 2001, 52 Egyptian men were arrested on board the Queen Boat on the Nile, which was a gay disco.[1] With no specific law against homosexuality in Egypt, the men were arrested for debauchery.[6] They were tried and sentenced to between one and five years imprisonment.[3] Scagliotti interviews one of the men, Ashraf Zanati.[6]
Distribution edit
Dangerous Living was screened at several international film festivals and was an official selection at the International Film Festival on Human Rights in Geneva.[7] It won Audience Awards at the Barcelona GLBT International Festival and the Hartford Alternatives Festival.[7] It was also shown at the 2003 San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (Frameline) and the 2005 Boston Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.[5][8] The film had its US broadcast premiere on May 11, 2005 on the here! network, with an introduction by former US ambassador James Hormel.[3] This coincided with the fourth anniversary of Cairo 52. It was released on DVD by First Run Features on May 24, 2005, as part of their "Human Rights Watch Collection".[3][7] Dennis Harvey reviewed the film for Variety; he called it "workmanlike and at times [...] cluttered" but "fascinating and educational."[9]
References edit
- ^ a b Ehrenstein, David (May 24, 2005), "Still Living Dangerously", The Advocate, p. 76, retrieved February 5, 2010
- ^ "Advocate Bulletin", The Advocate, p. 41, June 7, 2005, retrieved February 5, 2010
- ^ a b c d "World premiere of "Dangerous Living" sponsored by SIT's Netherlands program". worldlearning.org. May 9, 2005. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ "The Filmmakers". Official After Stonewall Productions site. 2003. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ a b "Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World". Frameline. 2003. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ a b "Press Kit". Official After Stonewall Productions site. 2003. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Dangerous Living". First Run Features. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ Morris, Wesley (May 8, 2005), "Gay film fest lineup is safe and sincere", The Boston Globe, retrieved February 5, 2010
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (July 21, 2003), "Dangerous Living: Coming Out In The Developing World Review", Variety, retrieved February 5, 2010
External links edit
- Official website
- Dangerous Living at IMDb
