Seeing entire circles of friends die, Russo returned to his activist roots and devoted himself to education, support and making as much noise as possible. “The Celluloid Closet” came out just as AIDS began its devastating, unrelenting march into the lives of many individuals.

Russo’s cousin, Phyllis Antonellis, recalled that for his family, Russo “opened up a world to all of us that we never would have known otherwise.” She might just as easily have been talking about the gay men who flocked to Russo’s screenings to applaud favorite lines of dialogue with like-minded folk. For many, these precursors of gay film festivals were a first involvement in gay community. “His story is also the story of our community,” Schwarz said following a recent screening at the New York Film Festival where the director reflected on how he came to cast the story of Russo’s life against the backdrop of the gay rights movement.Īt the time, with the Stonewall riots a fresh memory, such gatherings were political acts. “He was right in the middle of everything, every step of the way.” “Vito participated in every significant milestone in the gay liberation movement, from Stonewall to ACT UP,” said director Jeffrey Schwarz. More than 20 years after the gay activist and film historian’s death, he is finally starring in one.Įntitled simply, “Vito,” the HBO documentary takes a comprehensive look at the life, loves and battles of the East Harlem native who as a boy eschewed neighborhood stickball games and navigated his way to Times Square where he would revel in matinees and tap the pulse of the city.Īs an adult, Russo was a founding member of three pivotal gay rights groups, starting with the Gay Activists Alliance in the early 1970s. NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than anything, Vito Russo loved the movies.

The Celluloid Closet by Vito Russo