- Title: UK: SEAN MATHIAS DEBUTS IN "BENT"
- Date: 3rd March 1998
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 3, 1998) (RTV-ACCESS ALL) (SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) CLIVE OWEN SAYING, "I THINK HIS (MAX'S) JOURNEY IS ONE OF SOMEBODY WHO 1) BY LOVING HIM AND 2) BY SHOWING HIM MAKES HIM FACE UP TO HIMSELF A BIT AND WHEREAS HE MIGHT START OFF QUITE A FRIVOLOUS, SHALLOW, CHARACTER, BY THE END OF THE MOVIE HE'S MORE SELF-AWARE, HAS MORE OF A SENSE, SOME
- Embargoed: 18th March 1998 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA8LF5LL29HCQTPN1M6NQHLB5MB
- Story Text: The harrowing story of the persecution of homosexuals in pre-war Nazi Germany, is the theme of Sean Mathias' debut film "Bent".
The film was adapted by Martin Sherman from his award-winning play, "Bent" and held it's UK charity premiere in London's West End on Tuesday (March 3) "Bent" stars Clive Owen, Lothaire Bluteau, Sir Ian McKellen (who also starred in the original stage version of the play in 1979) and Brian Webber.There is also a special appearance by rock star Mick Jagger in the role of nightclub owner Greta/George.
The tale begins on the eve of the "Night of the Long Knives" in Fascist Berlin where characters Max (Clive Owen) and Rudi (Brian Webber), both decadent yet innocent, continue to lead their selfish but relatively harmless lives.
A chance encounter at Greta's nightclub leads them directly into the hands of Hitler's men and exposes them as homosexuals in a Berlin seeking to clean the city of all those deemed vermin -- homosexuals, beggars and gypsies.
The couple spend two long years on the run, begging favours from reluctant friends and relatives, living rough and enduring harsh conditions.
In a brief meeting, Max asks his gay Uncle (McKellen) to help him obtain two passports and two tickets for the netral zone of Amsterdam, to no avail.
They are finally caught by the Nazis and sent by train to incarceration in a detention camp at Dachau -- a precursor to the legendary death camps.
En route, they suffer at the hands of their guards.Rudi is beaten and tortured and Max is forced to collude in his death.
Left alone, Max is befriended by Horst (Lothaire Bluteau), a prisoner wearing the pink triangle - homosexual.His practical advice saves Max's life.
Once at the camp, Max and Horst endure simple, yet relentlessly brutal lives.Even between the camp prisoners, a heirarchy exists.
Max keeps up his pretence of being a Jew, wearing a yellow triangle, in an effort to escape the persecution handed out by guards and prisoners alike to those they brand perverts - the homosexuals.
As the two mens' lives continue, they gradually form a bond which forces Max to reassess himself and admit the real truth of his sexuality.
The two develop a means by which to express their feelings without being detected and Max eventually recognises his dependence of Horst.
The appalling conditions of the camp and bleak winter which sets in weakens Horst and he eventually dies at the hands of a Nazi captain who bullies him.
The film ends with Max finally taking command of his own destiny.He proudly dons the pink triangle before defiantly lunging to his death.
"Bent", the play was first performed on stage at London's Royal Court Theatre in 1979.In those days critics were outraged although audiences responded 'emotionally and intellectually' according to the play's producers.
Speaking at the London film premiere on Tuesday, Sir Ian McKellen recalled the objections: "Parliament tried to close the play down as too outrageous a play to have on at a subsidised theatre, The Royal Court, there were questions asked in the Commons (Houses of Parliament).The Knesset when the play was done in Israel - same thing happened.These are people who don't know enough about humanity," Mckellen said.
"Bent" was filmed in the summer of 1996 on location in Glasgow, Ayrshire, London and Herfordshire.It goes on general release in the UK on March 6.
The premiere was held to benefit Screen Cares, the film fundraising division of Crusaid -- the national fundraiser for HIV and Aids.
Screen Cares was established in 1997 by heads of the British Film Industry to raise money for this work through film premieres and private screenings. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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