First feature-length doc on gay and lesbian identities to screen March 25

The groundbreaking documentary, Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives, is set to screen as part of Pacific Cinémathèque's Secrets Beyond the Door: Treasures from the UCLA Festival of Preservation series on March 25th.

Thirty two years ago, in 1978, Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives startled audiences across the country when it appeared in movie theatres and on television. The first feature-length documentary about lesbian and gay identity made by gay filmmakers, the film had a huge impact when it was released and became an icon of the emerging gay rights movement of the 1970s.

Offering a vastly different perspective on gay and lesbian identity in America than was common view at the time, the film presents 26 diverse gay and lesbian individuals who, with profundity, honesty and humour, describe their struggle to live a decent life in America despite prejudice, discriminatory laws and society’s unwillingness to treat them with respect and equality.

In honor of its place in our collective history, Word is Out was selected for the Legacy Project for GLBT Film Preservation by Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. The original film negative was recently restored, and it is this re-mastered 35mm print that audiences will see during the March 25th screening.

Word is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives
Pacific Cinémathèque, 1131 Howe Street, Vancouver
Thursday, 25 March 2010 @ 6:45pm

Tickets are $9.50 - $11.50 available at the Pacific Cinémathèque box office or online.