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 SAN FRANCISCO FILMMAKER Eric Slade had long been inspired by Harry Hay's story of activism and his unique view of the queer role in the world. In a political climate that was quickly turning to the right, Slade passionately believed the world should hear the story of the queer liberation movement's true radical roots. While many documentaries had interviewed Hay briefly, no visual chronicle existed of Hayšs struggle to create a homosexual liberation movement and his attempt to understand gay peoplešs place in the world. Slade was incredulous that this dramatic story remained untold. And with many of the key characters in their 80s, Slade felt it was crucial that production begin soon. AS SLADE BEGAN his research on Hay's story, Hay's role in shaping US gay history began to reveal itself, as did a dramatic story well suited for a one hour documentary. Slade chose to make the centerpiece of his film the founding of the Mattachine Society, the groundbreaking homosexual rights group Hay began creating in 1948. But the film would also include Hay's lifetime of activism from his labor activism in the 30s to his work with the Rainbow Coalition in the 80s. HAY WELCOMED Slade's research, and opened up archival photos and files, many of which had never been reproduced. Slade also worked extensively with Stuart Timmons, author of The Trouble with Harry Hay, a critically acclaimed biography of Hay. Shooting on Hope Along the Wind, The Life of Harry Hay began in the summer of 1996, during Hay's visit to San Francisco promoting his collection of essays entitled, Radically Gay. Working with associate producer Tom Christensen and development associate Oren Slozberg, Slade interviewed Hay for a day, then shot his booksigning party and his appearance in San Francisco's Lesbian and Gay Freedom Day parade. Another key interview was shot in 1997, as well as footage during Hay's week at the gathering of Radical Faeries at the Faerie Sanctuary in Wolf Creek, Oregon. The following year Slade helped organize a reunion of the surviving founders of the Mattachine Society. The reunion included Harry Hay, Dale Jennings, Konrad Stevens and John Gruber. The event provided rich material for the film and countless stories as these gay pioneers reunited for the first time in nearly 50 years. During this Los Angeles shoot individual interviews were also conducted with each of these Mattachine members. IN 1999 producer Jack Walsh and associate producer Lindsay Sablosky joined the filmmaking team, and began shooting additional scenes of Hay at home with his partner John Burnside, and at speaking engagements. The project became an ITVS/KQED LINCS partnership in 1999. Slade also brought editor Dawn Logsdon onto the project, and editing began in 2000. Final editing was completed at KQED in the spring of 2001. | |||