James Franco's Student Films Inspired By Gay Poetry

New York Magazine:

As if James Franco weren't already a same-sex heartthrob after Milk, his student films are inspired by gay poetry. His first student film was based on "The Feast of Stephen" by Anthony Hecht ("Boys for the first time frankly eye each other ..."), and his most recent was inspired by "Herbert White" by Frank Bidart. At a Gucci-hosted cocktail party for an art film called Erased James Franco, Franco said he discovered Bidart while studying poetry at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina.

Read the whole story: New York Magazine

Comments

[wilray]

As far as I know James Franco isn't gay. Surprise! Most actors in gay roles are straight. The role says nothing about their orientation, however it probably does say something regarding their level of consciousness. What better way for a straight actor to show they have the acting chops than to convincingly portray a gay character. Acting superstar Tom Hanks got his first Oscar for "Philadelphia," and Will Smith's first leading role was in "Six Degrees of Separation." Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, and Guy Pearce of "Priscilla" are all straight. Generally actors have to be comfortable within their own skins if the are willing to play nude, homo-erotic scenes, so if they're gay, they're okay with being out. For Joseph Gordon-Levitt to go from being that nice alien kid from third rock to give a riveting performance as a hustler who is brutally raped in Mysterious skin he has to be comfortable with himself.

I believe this observation was made on "Rescue Me." It seems that the only celebrities that people want to admit that they're gay are young and handsome. This seems to ring true. I don't think anyone watch Capote and thought - "Phillip Seymour Hoffman should just come out already."

[klandish]

Yes it's fine for Straight actors to play Gay characters, people have been able to accept that, but either Hollywood or the general public hasn't been able to handle an OUT Gay actor playing a straight character. Therefore most Gay actors take great pains to make sure this information doesn't get out. In turn this helps create another stigma for the Gay Community and upholds the popular notion that being Gay just isn't acceptable.

[levelshot]

Without Ledger there is no Joker but I would almost bet Franco would do a fine job, just not as good as Ledger, playing the Joker.

[truthartbeauty]

I saw MILK for the first time last night. I think he did a magnificent job of acting in that film. a talented and versatile actor, and really cute too.

[oldschoololdsoul]

Inspired by a poem about a crazy killer? No wonder why entertainment or pop culture has been MIA or DOA for the last dozen years. But then this sort of deal is par for the course for generation bohemian psycho. Or is that Y or Z? Whatever.

[obmark]

So regarding the 12 years or so, what was the watershed event?

[Tropiholic]

I love James Franco!

[Patricia84]

What's with gay people "outing" allegedly gay actors? Because someone is playing a gay character or interested in gay poetry or "gay-friendly" - which is a quite unsettling expression when you come to think of it - doesn't mean he/she is gay. Next thing you know, serial killers, double agents and psychopaths everywhere will be "outing" actors just the same for playing them onscreen.

[klandish]

"which is quite unsettling expression when you think of it" Sounds like you need some unsettling.

[Jebediah Johnson]

Serial killers and psychopaths? You flatter my gay a$$!

[Patricia84]

I just mean they are playing a role for crying out loud!

[Infostream]

I agree with you, I'm a gay man and every time I hear some gossipy guy claiming to know a celebrity is gay I wonder what do they get out of it? Of course a lot of gay people are insecure from living in this dimwitted homophobic culture where the easiest laugh Leno can get is to imply someone likes showtunes or some other stereotype. So I guess somehow (I still don't really understand how) it helps some insecure gay men to imagine they "know" a famous person is gay.

[klandish]

I was sure Rock Hudson was Gay because I knew some insiders. Guess I was wrong to think that. Ahhh?

[Jebediah Johnson]

His teef aint lookin so good.



But I'd still tap him.

[TigersEye]

You're just getting too used to those Hollywood chiclet teef, baby.

[Jebediah Johnson]

True dat.

[happycat]

Maybe you and he could go to the dentist together.

[Jebediah Johnson]

I aint got no use for dentistry and voo doo crap like that. If I lose a few teefs I just go to the Walgreens and buy a new bag of candy corn to replace them.

[PlaceboStudman]

That's a queue I'd join! :-D

[daedelus]

I discovered Walt Whitman in Grade 9 English, and now it's got me worried.

[BartLA]

LOL.

[TigersEye]

I like James Franco as an actor and it wouldn't matter to me at all what his sexuality is. In this day and age, frankly, I can't believe it matters to anyone what someone else's sexuality is.

[happycat]

I agree with you, but unfortunately, there are still so many people in this world who still care. I don't get it. I think about Rock Hudson and lie he had to live in order to have an acting career. it shouldn't have to come to that anymore.

[Cate Marvin]

"Herbert White," a dramatic monologue by one of our greatest living American poets, is in the voice of a heterosexual serial killer. It is a PERSONA poem. (And a brilliant, scary, amazing poem at that.) To think that Franco's use of this poem would indicate he's gay is absurd. Rather, it indicates he has great taste in literature.

[klandish]

Read the poem. Thought it was pretty good. I'd really like to see how Franco would visualize this.

[PlaceboStudman]

I'd like to visualize Franco :-D

[BartLA]

Franco talks about hanging with a gay hustler for research for the film "Sonny":

http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com/archive/2008/08/12/james_franco_hated_by_tyrese_worked_as_a_hustler.php

[EmeraldWorld]

I would say that he should just come out, but there are still pretty heavy ramifications for doing so in Hollywood.

[Infostream]

it kinda bugs me to assume he's gay because he's interested in gay poetry or plays gay roles. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but this kind of assumption that if you're gay-friendly you must be gay is what keeps some straight guys from speaking out on behalf of gay issues.

Should Eric McCormick and Sean Penn come out too?

[klandish]

Interesting point. But inherent in your comment is that being considered Gay is still a social stigma. Which could keep those interested in supporting LGBT causes away. Everyday celebrities parade their heterosexual mates and families out for everyone to ooh and aah over. Gay or bi-sexual celebrities are closeted or have beards. This is a social pathology that breeds shame and stops the very inclusion and exposure Gay people need for acceptance. I have it on pretty good information that Franco is but if he isn't it should not make any difference. If people are afraid of being called names because it threatens their social standing imagine what out Gay people deal with on a daily bases for the sake of keeping their personal integrity intact.

[klandish]

I know it's difficult to be Gay in Hollywood and have the sort of career you'd like but Franco would do the Community a lot of good if he would just come out. He's so sexy and intense he could still do Straight films. He's physically and emotionally that appealing to almost everyone. If we can accept Penn as Milk we could certainly handle Franco in anything.

[lillibelle]

Totally in agreement. Just love the way his face lights up when he smiles. One joyful guy.

[Jebediah Johnson]

Speaking of. . . . Don't look now, but there's a Hugh Jackman story a few doors down from this one. Just sayin'.

[jesselee26]

yeah, there's a kevin spacey story too.

[klandish]

Ohhhh...... more grist for the grind.