Vito: The Life of Gay Rights Activist Vito Russo

Gr 9 Up—Presented by HBO Documentary Films, this moving portrayal of the life of one of the significant leaders of the Gay Rights Movement clicks all the proverbial boxes. Consisting of two significant threads, the nicely paced and logically developed presentation puts a very personal face on the campaign as well as offering an historical retrospective to gay visibility. Russo fueled his passion for equality through his cable television show in New York and his writing in journals, newspapers, and especially in his seminal book, The Celluloid Closet (Joanna Cotler Bks., 1981), a history of gay/lesbian portrayal in film. As a leading activist in the post-Stonewall era until his 1990 death from AIDS, Russo zealously confronted the age-old prejudices with a passion that this program touchingly depicts. In addition to a wide range of interviews with him, his family members, and a variety of other movement leaders, vintage stills as well as film and video capture the moment in a most captivating manner. My favorite clip is of a very young Bette Midler's participation in a rally (she and Barry Manilow began their careers performing together in gay NYC bathhouses). Some adult language is included, so preview carefully. There are 12 chapter selection options as well as the choice of subtitles and audio commentary. Bonus sections offer excerpts from Russo's Our Time television program, interview outtakes, and audio commentary. This will be a valuable addition to most media collections and be welcomed by many classroom teachers.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL