"Moisés Kaufman and members of New York's Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming after the murder of Matthew Shepard. This is a film version of the play they wrote based on more than 200 interviews they conducted in Laramie. It follows and in some cases re-enacts the chronology of Shepard's visit to a local bar, his kidnap and beating, the discovery of him tied to a fence, the vigil at the hospital, his death and funeral, and the trial of his killers. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family, cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It concludes with a Laramie staging of "Angels in America" a year after Shephard's death."
The next time you encounter a news report about some 'Christian' preacher ranting about gay people, remember the events portrayed in this moving film. 'The Laramie Project' is about American intolerance, fear and hatred. A cultural hatred based on their narrow, warped interpretation of christianity.
On a technical note, this HBO production is a seamless and near perfect blending of professional actors and TV clips from the time of the incident. Powerful and thought provoking film.
.
Comments