Vito

I had read mentions about Vito Russo in many books and articles. I did not realize what and incredible and important person he was to gay liberty. He was outspoken about who he was from an early age. He had a sense of self all his life. He never apologized about who he was. He was a great activist for Gay Rights. His contribution, along with many others in the gay movement, should never be forgotten. This documantary shows he never stopped fighting for gay rights, even while he was dying. I have watched his story many times. It is truly a documentary that celebrates the life of a truly great American!

I first saw this on cable, then later bought the DVD. It is not only about extraordinary activist and film archivist Vito Russo, but about gay history. The archival film footage is amazing. I was stunned to see that there were problems amongst the gay community as early as 1973 (drag queens, lesbians, gay men at odds with each other). I didn't know that. I thought that all began in my generation (late 80's early 90's). Clips of Bette Midler can be seen that I have also never seen before.The vintage cinematic clips (1890's till about 1970) are something to be cherished. A few seen herein are not seen in The Celluloid Closet DVD. We are so lucky Russo sought these things out and preserved them.He seemed like a very exceptional person. As of 2013 we have NO ONE like him. Gay people have become extremely passive and complacent and we are losing gay neighborhoods yearly. Ken and Barbie types, as well as hipsters, are gentrifying us back into obscurity. So while this DVD made me extremely proud, there is a certain melancholy that comes with it, because the days of real activism and pride are gone.

'Vito' is a brilliant documentary about a gay film scholar and activist. The investigation into Vito's research and writings that culminated in his landmark book 'The Celluloid Closet' is fascinating.Vito's impassioned activism on behalf of sufferers of HIV/AIDS and his efforts to call out the media for its derogatory depictions of LGBT people remind us how important Vito Russo was to the gay community.I'm so pleased that this documentary pays homage to such an important man who told the truth in an era that was particularly hostile to the gay community. Anyone who is interested in LGBT film or history will delight in this film - buy it today!

This documentary should rank up there with Common Threads and The life and times of Harvey Milk. I believe all gays should watch each and every documentary about gays and events in gay history.. I hate when I hear some young guy in his 20's say something along the lines of "I never heard of Boys in the Band, That isn't important to me." Bull. Young gays should know why they are able to do what they do because of the Past.

Excellent film about the advocate. Truly inspired me to purchase the DVD after renting it and also then to watch The Celluloid Closet. Truly inspiring to the homosexual community and to those with open minds.

How quick we are to forget those who went that extra mile and put their life on the line to give a generation the fredom to exist!

Vito Russo was a very influential activist during the terrible aids crisis. This film chronicles his childhood, how he became an activist and the contribution he and his work made, and are still making to the gay community and society in general.

I totally loved this film on Vito. He was a great man who represented LGBT people by reviewing past films for Gay content and he was an AIDS activist.

Super

La vida de Vito Russo, el escritor de "The Celluloid Closet", en el que se basó el célebre documental del mismo nombre, me parece muy interesante. Merece la pena verlo, así como el que también hicieron de Derek Jarman, para rescatar del olvido alguna de las figuras más importantes del movimiento Queer, desgraciadamente irrepetibles!

You realise how important this man was and is. Great dvd, a history lesson that should be taught in every schools.

ein zeitdokument über die geschichte von hiv und engagement. letzteres ist heute leider zu einer mangelware geworden. das es medikamenten gibt ist, hiv eine chron kranakheit geworden ist, das ist eine sache. die soziale situation jedoch ist für viele die hiv eine katastrophe. stichwort gentrifizierung.

Very important film. Those who died first from AIDS are almost forgotten history, and we must not forget the stories of the people who founded ACT-UP.