ISOLATION AND TOLERANCE

Beautiful Thing - Hettie Macdonald, 1996

The film is set in a housing estate in South East London- two young men coming to terms with their sexuality and the effect it has on the people in their lives. The film is a realistic look at the fears that gay teens face, even if it is over optimistic about their resolution. The film focuses on Jamie, a teenager whose mother, a pub manager called Sandra, believes he is simply not athletic, when in fact he is gay. Jamie lives next to Ste, the star athlete at his school, whose drunk father beats him regularly. Sandra takes Ste in after a beating and he shares a bed with Jamie sleeping head to toe. As the bullying continues, Ste stays with them regularly and soon he finds a tenderness that is missing in his own life and eventually he and Jamie give in to their mutual attraction. Ste is worried that his father and brother will find out; Jamie pushes him to be more open about their relationship and takes him to a gay bar called the Gloucester. Sandra discovers the truth about Jamie, realises that she can't kick him out because her love for him is too strong and decides to try and understand.

Get Real - Simon Shore, 1998

This film sensitively deals with the issues of teenage homosexuality, isolation and bullying. A young boy has a crush on, befriends and falls in love with the school athletic star. The film investigates fear of exposure, attitudes of parents, the loyalty and prejudice of friends and attitudes within the school.

TASKS AND ACTIVITIES

Establishing your own identity may mean standing out against the crowd. This takes courage because young people, like most people, need to feel liked and approved of by their peers. A sense of isolation and lonely secrecy are feelings that many young people face. Suggest ways in which the school environment could help young people to reduce their fear of isolation and to feel supported in their differences.