One of Britain’s most touching gay movies, God’s Own Country was gutted of its sex scenes and now some people are calling on Amazon Prime to be boycotted, however, it turns out that the cuts were made by the film’s distributor, not the streaming giant.
The film’s creator Francis Lee raised the alarm on Twitter, when it was noted by reviewers on the Amazon website that some of the sex scenes had been removed.
According to one of the reviews, at least two key scenes had been cut, one which included an oral sex scene and another which included an encounter with a third person.
Filmmaker Francis Lee initially took to Twitter to call for a boycott of Amazon Prime until he was given answers as to why the scenes were cut and that they weren’t showing the fil that he intended or made. He wrote,
Francis Lee@strawhousefilms Dear friends in USA, God’s Own Country appears to have been censored on @PrimeVideo (Amazon Prime). Until this is investigated please do not rent or buy on Amazon Prime. It is not the film I intended or made. I will report back
Dear friends in USA, God’s Own Country appears to have been censored on @PrimeVideo (Amazon Prime). Until this is investigated please do not rent or buy on Amazon Prime. It is not the film I intended or made. I will report back ❤️
A few hours later he reported back, telling fans that after an investigation his film was not censored by Amazon Prime but by, he alleges, the US distributor, Samuel Goldwyn Films.
He claims that the distributor “butchered” the streaming version without consultation “to get more revenue”.
He added that Amazon Prime had been “incredibly supportive” in rectifying the issue.
Dear USA friends, after investigation God’s Own Country was not censored by @PrimeVideo (Amazon USA) but by the US distributor @GoldwynFilms who butchered the streaming version without consultation to get more ‘revenue’ .@PrimeVideo were incredibly supportive in rectifying 1/2 https://t.co/xDQP4ThaiK
Looking for the best LGBT+ / gay-themed films Amazon has to offer with your Prime account, look no further. Here’s a list of THEGAYUK’s favourites including some incredible biopics and dramas.
Updated: November 2019
Green book (Biopic)
To be gay in America in the early 1960s was not easy. But to also be black, and discriminated against on every level, was an entirely different thing, no matter how famous you were.
Green Book is a true story, and directed by a subdued Peter Farrelly (There’s Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber) it’s as slow as molasses on a hot day – but Mortensen lightens up the screen in every scene he is in – he’s fantastic and is the take away of this film. Ali, while good, seems a bit stiff throughout, and I don’t understand why he is winning all the awards (Richard E. Grant is so much better in Can You Ever Forgive Me.) Nevertheless, Green Book is a good study in race relations in America at that time when JFK was President and Marilyn Monroe was the star of the moment. (Tim Baros)
Blanchett is magnificent as Carol, who risks losing her daughter yet has strong feelings for a much younger woman. Mara is even more superb as Therese, her innocence and naivete in full display. Both actresses are excellent, yet it’s Mara who ups Blanchette in the acting arena. The movie basically revolves around Therese and her coming of age not just with her career but with her sexuality as well.
Chandler is also excellent as Carol’s husband – he’s got an ideal 1950’s look about him.
Carol, based on the novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, was written at a time when it’s subject was considered scandalous, which Haynes truly captures. (Tim Baros)
Based on the real-life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, The Imitation Game portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain’s top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.
With such a fascinating story and a stellar cast (Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Mark Strong, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance) this is a film that is destined to be a major success. Already garnering critical acclaim, it’s not hard to see why.
The script, period detail and performances are all exemplary. Cumberbatch is pitch-perfect in his portrayal as Turing, portraying the strengths and vulnerabilities of a man with little social skills who is driven by his passion for his work and his intellect. He’s ably supported by Keira Knightley as the feisty Joan Clarke; a woman of great intellect who has to fight to the constraints of a society that devalues and oppresses women.
Mark Strong as a particularly dashing MI6 agent and Matthew Goode as a fellow code-breaker, are equally strong. (Chris Bridges)
Stonewall is a drama about a fictional young man caught up during the 1969 Stonewall riots. Danny Winters (Jeremy Irvine) is forced to leave behind friends and loved ones when he is kicked out of his parent’s home and flees to New York. Alone in Greenwich Village, homeless and destitute, he befriends Ray (Jonny Beauchamp) and a group of street kids who soon introduce him to the local watering hole The Stonewall Inn; however, this shady, mafia-run club is far from a safe-haven. As Danny and his friends experience discrimination, endure atrocities and are repeatedly harassed by the police, we see a rage begin to build.
This emotion runs through the entire community of young gays, lesbians, drag queens and trans people who populate the Stonewall Inn and erupts in a storm of anger.
With the toss of a single brick, a riot ensues and a crusade for equality is born. Directed by Roland Emmerich.
So, here’s the thing, I can be an old, hard cynical fart when I want to be – but occasionally, just occasionally along comes something that makes me weep like a baby. This film is one of those things.
What starts out as a simple story of love and acceptance quickly turns into one of bigotry and spite – leading to an unexpected ending. Based on a true story, this is one emotional roller-coaster.
A strong cast and crew make this one of the best films of its kind in a long time with Travis Fine doing a great job as director, writer and producer. (Chris Jones)
In filmmaker Jeffrey Schwartz’s very upbeat documentary into this unique entertainer and character, we learn that Divine had always dreamt of being a movie star since he was a kid who had been picked in and bullied at school as being both effeminate and fat. And he did deservedly become one and was just about to parlay his major underground success into the mainstream with a (non-drag) part in a nationally syndicated TV sitcom when he dropped down dead in Hollywood after a massive heart attack the very day before filming was due to start. He was just 42 years old. Manager, Bernard Jay poignantly claimed that as Divine was at the peak of his career, he had at least died happily.
Schwartz beautifully captures both the joyous nature of Divine’s flamboyant life and also the great sense of sheer enjoyment he had. He includes the completely tasteless clip from Eat Your Makeup in which Divine played Jacqueline Kennedy in a grotesquely amusing re-creation of the Kennedy assassination just two years after the event. But he also shows the scene from Multiple Maniacs where Divine’s character is raped by a giant lobster! A perfect epitaph. (Roger Walker-Dack)
Beautiful Something beautifully explores the need for us gay men to seek out romance and adventure in the hopes of finding something, anything, meaningful. Director and writer Joseph Graham successfully captures a night these men, nor us, won’t forget.
Four gay men, all with issues in their lives, experience a night of mystery and sex in the beautifully told Beautiful Something. (Tim Baros)
Thorpe’s somewhat light-hearted investigation starts with him accepting that he dislikes gay-sounding voices, especially his own and he wonders if with professional help it can, in fact, be changed.
A very pushy speech therapist has him working on his ‘nasality’ and long vowels to get a ‘go-too’ voice whatever that maybe. She, thank goodness, is not the only figure that Thorpe seeks advice from and his interviews with some legendary gay figures make both sound, and also hilarious, contributions to his quest. (Roger Walker-Dack)
For three weeks in the summer of 2012 filmmakers, Cory James Krueckeberg and Tom Gustafson (the producer/director behind the cute Mariachi Gringo and the gay cult film Were the World Mine) followed two guys all over New York with a camera and a script and nothing else.
This really is guerrilla filmmaking at its best. No crew, a Kickstarter budget of $10K, one actor and one real-life go-go boy in an innovative hybrid of documentary, narrative and art film that is such a delight. Following hot on the heels of movies such as Weekend, Keep The Lights On and Hors Les Murs this wee drama is part of a very welcome new movement of edgy queer cinema. (Roger Walker-Dack)
P. David Ebersole’s documentary Hit So Hard tells the story of former Hole drummer Patty Schemel’s rise from working-class kid in Marysville, Washington to the drummer for one of the biggest grunge bands of the nineties.
Arguably because of its low budget, the film has a student-like feel to its production, although most technical faults are forgotten when viewers get the chance to see the never before seen tour footage that was shot by Schemel on Hi-8 while in the band.
Despite, its faults Hit So Hard is a time capsule of nineties nostalgia and ultimately it is the raw and deeply personal footage that makes this film a must-see for fans of Hole or Nirvana. (Domenico Sansalone)
This screwball comedy follows a young couple who discover a secret room filled with cash while house-sitting for celebrity friends who die under mysterious circumstances while overseas… but can they make a clean getaway with the money? Featuring an all-star cast of fan favourites, including Queer As Folk USA‘s Randy Harrison and Ugly Betty‘s Michael Urie.
When Tanner is accidentally outed in school, whilst the other boys in his class may resort to taunting and bullying him, the girls start to seriously compete for his attention.
It’s all very cute, has a few really good one-liner’s like the one on Mormon’s ‘they smile to your face, then Prop 8 you in the back,’ but it is a squeaky clean teen-movie that is meant to be for the young… or at least the young at heart. (Roger Walker-Dack)
It’s the late 1950s and ageing Hollywood director, James Whale, best known for his iconic Frankenstein films, is languishing in his Los Angeles house.
Whale is incapacitated by a series of strokes that have left him frail and prone to crippling headaches, dark moods and memory lapses. In spite of his infirmity, he hasn’t lost any of his impish ways with young men, persuading them to swim in his pool or pose naked for portraits. Old habits die hard. Unashamedly gay in an era of repression, Whale is a singular and striking personality. Enter pneumatically muscular new gardener, Clayton Boone who becomes the object of Whale’s lust and an unlikely player in the final drama of his life. Starring Ian McKellen (Chris Bridges)
The cinematic fascination with The Beat Generation continues regardless, following on the heels of Walter Salles’ take on Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, which the critics were quick to dismiss. We now have this new movie which, set in the mid-1940s, is essentially a prequel to the movement that was about to begin. It’s Lucian Carr’s story, a central figure in Allen Ginsberg’s coming out, and the wittiest member of their clique at university, who ended up killing his obsessed older ex-lover David Kammerer who just wouldn’t leave him alone. Starring Daniel Radcliffe. (Roger Walker-Dack)
Joe Meek was a pioneer of the 60’s music landscape. Joe Meek was a gay producer and songwriter, who wrote the hit “Telstar.”
Set in homophobic 60’s Britain, where to be gay was still illegal, the film delivers a powerful marker to how far the gay movement has come.
The casting for this film is very strong, Con O’Neill plays a magnificently, out of control Meek, delivering a truly brilliant performance of a tone-deaf musical genius. The film’s strengths are it’s brilliantly comic (albeit all true) characters and its thought-provoking end – the demise of Joe Meek. (Jake Hook)
Five stories are interlinked in this film by Kevin Elyot and Adrian Shergold. It centres on the life and experiences of gay men during a 36-hour period in the Clapham area of London.
Sean Penn, plays the central role of Harvey Milk and putting aside the hotly debated discussion of whether LGBT people should fill the roles of LGBT character’s in the films, Penn does a brilliant job.
No ham involved. A remarkably sensitive portrayal of this pioneer in a backwards, gay loathing, backstabbing system. Of course, there is a certain bit of eye candy – that being one Mr James Franco.
It is easy for us of a certain age, to forget or not to acknowledge those who went before in the equal rights cause and I say films like this need to be produced more and more, so that we never forget, how and why we are able to live in the western world freer than we’ve ever been able to. (Jake Hook)
A new month a new treasure trove of exciting content to stream on Amazon Prime.
Timothée Chalamet as Nic Sheff and Steve Carell as David Scheff star in BEAUTIFUL BOY
Coming up is the new Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name) film, Beautiful Boy – a tragic but beautifully told story of a young man struggling with drug addiction. There’s also a new Michael Moore film called Fahrenheit 11/9 a policitcal documentary film about the 2016 US elections.
Drama centres on the day in the life of a gay college professor who is coming to terms with the death of his long-term lover. Highly rated on IMDB and Netflix, this film stars Colin Firth and Julianne Moore.
Carol
In the film Carol, Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett play two women who fall in love at a time when it was not accepted and actually frowned upon. Blanchett is magnificent as Carol, who risks losing her daughter yet has strong feelings for a much younger woman. Mara is even more superb as Therese, her innocence and naivete in full display. Both actresses are excellent, yet it’s Mara who ups Blanchette in the acting arena. The movie basically revolves around Therese and her coming of age not just with her career but with her sexuality as well. REVIEW: Tim Baros
Dallas Buyers Club
The very scary fact thing about watching Dallas Buyers Club is always knowing that this is sadly a very true story. These clubs like Woodroof’s (there were others in other cities) which provided drugs to those who contracted HIV, played an important role alongside the wonderful ACT-UP movement to continually put the FDA on notice, and without their unceasing pressure, demands and activism so many of the drugs that would eventually help with people with AIDS would never have been made available in time. REVIEW: RogerWalker-Dack
Gays In Prison
Gays in Prison is a documentary featuring Latrice Royale, the popular star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, as she reveals her own experiences in jail and explores the stories of other former and current LGBTQ prisoners, who face special challenges, violence and discrimination in the criminal justice system. The documentary is a joint production of Rogue Culture and Logo TV.
The Imitation Game
Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, The Imitation Game portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain’s top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II. The script is actually very funny as well as being poignant and thrilling. This is a must see film of this autumn/winter. REVIEW: Chris Bridges
I’m A Porn Star
Filmmaker Charlie David‘s light-hearted rambling review of the burgeoning gay pornography takes us through the history of porn from the 1930s. The documentary focuses on four of the most successful performers today. All of David’s subjects are very affable men and happy enough to candidly share their views on controversial topics such as barebacking, HIV, social stigma, fetishes and escorting. The whole question of gay-for-pay was also discussed by them and not always in a positive manner. REVIEW: Roger Walker-Dack
Milk
Powerful, heartfelt and a strong testament to a force with that was Harvey Milk, the first openly-gay political powerhouse that ran for major in San Francisco in the late 70s. It is easy for us of a certain age, to forget or not to acknowledge those who went before in the equal rights cause and I say films like this need to be produced more and more, so that we never forget, how and why we are able to live in the western world freer that we’ve ever been able to. REVIEW: Jake Hook
Please Like Me (seasons 1-4)
You need to discover this gem of an Australian comedy, created by out actor, writer and comedian Josh Thomas. Follow Josh as he comes out as gay finds his first (second and third) boyfriend and discovers the joy of cooking, dog handling and straight-roommate disciplining. One of the best shows to come out of Australia in years. Fresh and full of heart. REVIEW: Jake Hook
Rock Hudson’s Home Movies
From his days as an obscure contract player to the revelations about his “gay life style,” the film provides an innovative and exciting look at the life of a legend: Rock Hudson.
Transparent (seasons 1-3)
When the Pfefferman family patriarch makes a dramatic admission, the entire family’s secrets start to spill out, and each of them spin in a different direction as they begin to figure out who they are going to become. Brilliantly thoughtful and wonderfully acted from all quarters.
Sydney has played the part of a devoted wife to her husband for years, but her world is shattered when she meets Jane and is instantly attracted to her. She is quickly overwhelmed with the intensity of her love for Jane and the lustful passion that they share. Now Sydney is faced with a choice between the forbidden love that she craves and the undying love of her husband.
Documentary film on the life and work of author W. Somerset Maugham. His life and work discussed by writers such as Armistead Maupin and Alexander McCall-Smith and experts such as Selina Hastings.
This witty and moving biopic of Truman Capote, gay novelist and one of New York’s glitterati, describes his obsession with one of the killers of a family of three which lead to his book In Cold Blood.
From his days as an obscure contract player to the revelations about his “gay life style,” the film provides an innovative and exciting look at the life of a legend: Rock Hudson.
I’m a Stripper is back for more unzipped fun! This 5-part documentary mini-series explores the lives of men working in a taboo profession interweaving burlesque, webcam modeling, super troupes, gender drag, and Go-Go guys.
Starring: Alex Biffin, Jeremy Smith, Cuban
Release: 2016
IMDB:
THEGAYUK RATING:
A gay thirty-year-old lives at home and is in the midst of a serious creative funk. Rejected by numerous art schools and lacking romantic prospects, he looks to his charismatic Uncle Alfred for inspiration.
This documentary explores the intimate lives of five gay male couples, the forces that bring them together, the journeys they face, and the culture in which they survive and thrive. Each of the couples have been selected because they embody the unique characteristics of a distinct period along a continuum in the life of a gay couple and have interesting stories to tell.
