Kevin Smith Reflects On Backlash And Ellen DeGeneres’ Walkout Over Chasing Amy In New Documentary

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for cinema and its impact on society, I must say that revisiting Chasing Amy through the lens of 2022 is a fascinating journey. Having followed Kevin Smith‘s career since the late ’90s, I can empathize with his initial apprehension about creating a film that would challenge societal norms.

In the late 90’s, when Kevin Smith both wrote and directed Chasing Amy, he understood that not everyone would accept the movie. As a heterosexual filmmaker, he was creating a romantic comedy with a main character who identified as queer. This could potentially cause debate about his representation of lesbian identity.

1997 saw the release of a film titled “Chasing Amy.” The story revolves around Holden (played by Ben Affleck), a heterosexual character who unexpectedly develops feelings for Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams), who identifies as a lesbian. This movie, at its release, ignited conversations, but Kevin Smith, the director, encountered even greater scrutiny in the years that followed, especially from members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Smith remembers one of the notable instances of pushback, as he found out that Ellen DeGeneres and Anne Heche left a movie showing.

In a preview for the forthcoming documentary Chasing Chasing Amy, due for release on VOD, Smith discloses how he found out about the walkout. He explains, “The most significant reaction…came when I was informed that Ellen and Anne Heche had attended Chasing Amy, and it was reported they left within the first thirty minutes.

Smith comments, “We said something like, ‘She was the world’s most recognized lesbian. Now she’s gone. That signifies we won’t be appearing on The Ellen Show.’

During their well-known romance, DeGeneres and Heche were admired figures in the LGBTQ+ community. It was disappointing for Smith when it was heard they turned down the movie role, more so since DeGeneres had only recently come out publicly that year on her talk show, Ellen.

Initially, the movie “Chasing Amy” was greeted with a variety of opinions. Some people admired it for its depiction of a bisexual woman and its delving into intricate relationships, while others found fault with it for perpetuating an old-fashioned idea that a man could alter a lesbian’s sexuality.

Over time, the movie has been more and more criticized as problematic, especially within the lesbian community. Its plot, centered around Holden attempting to convert Alyssa, mirrored an outdated stereotype that a person’s lesbian identity could be changed through a romantic relationship with the opposite sex.

Looking back, many people believe that the portrayal of lesbianism in the movie “Chasing Amy” was outdated. Although it faced criticism, Smith accepts the critiques and has since had time to understand and accept them.

Smith remarks in the documentary, “Indeed, yes. Completely so. Allow me to assure you, I’ve had ample time – 22 years, to be exact – to adapt to this.” He further notes, “I adapted to it by the very first week of its release.

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2024-12-17 13:22