Educational Media Reviews Online

Jason Holliday is a hustler, cabaret act, and ‘houseboy’ to the rich. His story is a social study of race, class, psychology and sexuality in the 1950s and 60s. His stories of life on the outskirts of society - underrepresented in films of this era - include his experiences as a servant to the wealthy, member of the gay community, and guest of both Rikers Island and Bellevue Hospital.

Portrait of Jason is also an examination of filmmaking. The DVD is part of a bigger effort to restore the films of Shirley Clarke, highlighting the work of a female filmmaker (yet another marginalized group). The documentary is a prime example of avant-garde style and of cinéma vérité. The focus of the camera fades in and out, Jason is not always in frame, and the filmmakers prompt and goad Jason, bringing their own history with their subject into the scenes.

Those interested in using Portrait of Jason in the classroom will find that the film requires some historical context to be fully appreciated, which the bonus features do not provide.