a short film by Peggy Rajski 1994 | 23 mins | US ›› Trevor a sensitive short dealing with self acceptance, against suicide. Joint winner of the 1995 Live Action Best Short Film Academy Award® and originally presented by Ellen DeGeneres, this sensitive short pulls at the heartstrings by illustrating how cutting comments, apathetic parents and the homophobic rejection from friends, can cause even the most upbeat of teenagers, to contemplate taking their life. For fourteen-year-old Trevor’s Dear Diary confessions speak of his love of the theatre, a-liking for the music of Diana Ross and a particular fondness for his best friend Pinky, otherwise known as the all popular American high school boy. Yet Pinky is straight and when word spreads that Trevor is different, their friendship is soon a thing of the past. Seemingly alone in the world and with his mock suicide attempts habitually ignored by his parents, Trevor reaches out for a bottle of pills for real. Only is anyone listening to his cries for help? As a work with a serious message attached to it, namely one of self worth, let alone self acceptance, the emotional piece went on to see the formation of The Trevor Project, namely an around-the-clock support group for sexually troubled teens facing family rejection and / or considering suicide. Such is to the credit of writer James Lecesne, producer Randy Stone and director Peggy Rajski who to their concern, discovered that at the time of production, no such organisation existed. Yet into a story that sees Brett Barsky play Trevor with a natural, sexual awakening charm, Rajski has added a soundtrack that delights in the music of Broadway, together with many a Diana Ross classic, including the song I’m Coming Out. Then again, this is a work that like the Norwegian film Sebastian has its cinematic heart in the right place. In this instance, it remains a glowing testament to the dedicated work of those who provide the only nationwide, 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention helpline available to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth of America, showcasing as-it-does the heartfelt message that it's okay to be gay. And that is a message that frankly cannot be shouted loud enough, given the still alarming suicidal rate amongst the LGBTQ youth of today. Gay Visibility - coming-of-age style.  Nudity - none.  Overall - for its aim of LGBTQ suicide prevention ... 5 stars.  available on DVD as part of the Peccadillo Pictures catalogue 'Boys on Film 4: Protect Me from What I Want' release 26.04.2010. starring: Brett Barsky / Trevor, Judy Kain / Trevor's Mom, John Lizzi / Trevor's Dad, Jonah Rooney / Pinky Farraday, Stephen Tobolowsky / Father Jon, Cory Miller / Jack, Allen Doraine / Walter Stiltman, Lindsay Pomerantz / Cathy Quinn and Alicia Anderson as Mary Zapatelli. official website: www.thetrevorproject.org Copyright 2010 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #278 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹