Slamdance Trailer | "Smile 'Til It Hurts" teaser
"Smile 'Til It Hurts" producer Bari Pearlman pointed us to this fantastic teaser to her Slamdance doc, a chronicle of the people who "averted a third World War" -- the Up With People! singers.
"Being gay in Up With People was not possible. There was no such thing as gay in Up With People even though it attracted every closet case... All the boys who put on tights and danced in front of their mirror ended up in Up With People. So you had tons of fairies."
"But in the Up With People world, homosexuality did not exist. There was no gay when in fact you were surrounded by other gay people whom you could never talk to about it. It was sick."
Michael Jones is the film festival editor at Variety.com. 
I traveled twice with Up with People, in 81 and 85 and although things might of been tougher in the earlier years for gay men. The experience was nothing like stated by the guy in the trailer. "Being gay in Up With People was not possible..." I''m hoping I won''t be disappointed in the film once I get to see it. Everytime I catch something on the internet about the film, it talks about the quote of the gay guy. I''m gay and want anyone who reads this to know, there was plenty of straight guys in Up With People, and for the record. Not all gay guys dance around in tight...ugh? Its a shame you couldnt of interviewed a more of a variety of ages that traveled with UWP to get a bigger view of, really how things developed over the years. Sure, being gay wasnt talked about, but dating overall, was frowned upon. We werent there to party and play. We were there to experience a bigger picture. Regardless, we all had our own individual growths, and mine was learning I was gay and confused at 18yo, even though all I wanted, was to be straight. The experience of traveling with so many different people, from all over the world was an incredible, learning and performing experience! I miss the crowds and audiences.
Posted by: StevenOchoa3 | 5/25/2009 10:45:49 PM
OMG... I could have written the above excerpt... and I didn''''''''''''''''t travel until 1980, WAY past the days of M.R.A.! Can''''''''t WAIT to see this film!
Posted by: Dave Hutchinson | 3/23/2009 6:58:40 PM
Traveled with UPW Cast C 1966-68. In Panama for six weeks performing the entire show in Spanish (except in Canal Zone). Gave shows across the U.S. and Canada. This was the most educational & fun time of my life. Alumni will be giving shows in Branson, MO in June 2009. And yes, Glen Close was in my cast.
Posted by: Larry Tinsley | 1/23/2009 5:04:13 PM
Can't wait too see the work that Lee has done! Cast C 66 - 68.
Posted by: Lem Wimbish | 1/14/2009 7:11:06 PM