Hope Along the Wind: The Life of Harry Hay

Hope Along the Wind: The Life of Harry Hay is a 2001 film by Eric Slade that profiles the life and work of Harry Hay, political activist and founder of the Mattachine Society and the Radical Fairies.

Film still from Hope Along the Wind: The Life of Harry Hay

Synopsis

This much-anticipated documentary takes us through the fascinating and extraordinary life of Harry Hay; labor organizer, Marxist teacher, and founding member of the Mattachine Society, one of the first gay rights organizations in the country. Harry has been at center stage of gay pride for more than half a century. His story provides a chronicle of the gay rights movement, as well as a history of California in the 20th Century.

Harry Hay joined the Communist Party in the early 1930s and participated in the San Francisco General Strike of 1934. In the mid-1950s he was called before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, and around this time Harry started the Mattachine Society. This momentous film features poignant interviews with Harry and many of the surviving original members of this historic and brave group of gay men. In the last 40 years, Harry has immersed himself in the counterculture youth movement, the Radical Fairies, and Native American culture.

Awards

Audience Award, Best Film, Fresno Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Chris Award for Social Issue Documentary, Columbus International Film and Video Festival

Jury Award, Best Feature Documentary, Seattle International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Northern California Emmy Award Nominee for Best Documentary

Golden Gate Award, San Francisco International Film Festival

Juror's Prize for Best Documentary, Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Audience Award, Best of Fest Documentary Film, Pittsburgh International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

Best Documentar, Q Cinema Fort Worth's Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival

Reviews

"...highly recommended...a real jewel..."--Video Librarian

"Harry Hay thought it was time for change, and his lifelong efforts to bring a sense of unity, community and joyous spirituality to gays in the U.S. and beyond make for remarkable viewing in the documentary Hope Along the Wind."-- Los Angeles Times

"Hope Along the Wind is as tender, informative and captivating an hour as you're likely to spend."--MetroWeekly (Washington DC) "Critics Pick"

"Eric Slade's illumination of Hay's life is engrossing and fast paced. Hope Along the Wind hits all the markers that distinguish Hay's personal journey."--Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco)

"...a sweet film, and everyone who considers himself a freethinking homosexual should see it. "--Willamette Weekly, Portland, Oregon

"...a significant contribution to the preservation of queer history."--Just Out, Portland, Oregon

Distribution Information

Distributed by Frameline[1]

Production Information