Educational Media Reviews Online

Vito presents an overview of the life, work, and contributions of Gay activist, film historian, and author Vito Russo who is best known as the author of The Celluloid Closet. In his book, Russo demonstrates that Gay and Lesbian people were erased or demonized in American film and proposes that the negative portrayals perpetuate homophobic stereotypes which contribute to the oppression of gay people. Vito includes several film clips as audio-visual examples of the evidence Russo used to support his theory.

Constructed from interviews, film clips, and archival footage, this chronological documentary provides insight into both Gay and Lesbian history and American cinema. Biographical highlights of Russo’s life and events significant to Gay history are interwoven in a manner which provides points of reference that aid historical perspective and contribute insight into factors that influenced Russo personally and professionally. Examples include Russo’s coming of age during the pre-Stonewall era and his reaction to witnessing the initial Stonewall riot, through Gay Liberation of the 1970s and his research for The Celluloid Closet, to his role in organizing ACT-UP.

Vito is highly recommended especially for studies pertaining to film and cinema, LGBT studies, and U.S. history. Vito is recommended for general collections as well.