54 (1998)
Ryan Phillippe stars in out writer/director Mark Christopher’s 1998 film 54 - the version you saw in theatres was not the original cut. The film has since been restored in all its original queer glory.
Today’s post was selected/written by QCA guest writer João Delfim (@circus_of_my_mind on Instagram).
54
1998. USA.
Director: Mark Christopher
Screenplay: Mark Christopher
Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, Neve Campbell, Mike Myers, Sela Ward, Breckin Meyer, Sherry Stringfield, Heather Matarazzo & Ellen Albertini Dow
In 1998, the original cut of 54 — a movie focusing on the rise and fall of Studio 54 — was screen-tested to a negative response that led Miramax to request the film remove any suggestions of Queer sexuality. After a troubled post-production process, during which the director’s vision was severely undermined, the movie was released to negative response from audiences all over the world.
After seventeen years of perseverance, Mark Christopher was finally able to release 54: DIRECTOR’S CUT including more than 40 minutes of restored footage. Quickly becoming a new gay cult classic, this version is full of glorious Queer imagery that transports us to an underground utopia of the seventies clubbing scene. The film’s dark beauty — previously stolen by the studio’s attempts to create a mainstream product — was restored, as well as Shane’s (Phillippe) daring coming-of-age narrative.
Among the rehabilitated scenes, is a beautiful moment of confusion as an openly bisexual Shane kisses his friend Greg. This episode is at the core of the complexity of the main plot, helping us understand that Shane is on a journey of discovering his own sexuality, through exploring this new world he’s been pulled into. Furthermore, having included this sequence — as well as an earlier encounter Shane has with another man — the later version of the film uncovers its two kissing scenes between male characters.
Initially censored due to the homoerotic subtext, 54 was able to rise from the ashes and reclaim its glory. As forces of nature, Queer stories always seem to overgrow the heavily built up walls of censorship. I had the incredible opportunity to get in touch with the film’s director. We were able to discuss the specifics of how a movie can be severely undermined by its producer and the power of homoerotic imagery. “I came up with this idea to turn Ryan into the statue of David.” Mark told me. The full interview is included in my latest fanzine “Rearrange All The Cosmos” - now available for purchase.
You can find 54 streaming on Paramount+ (USA) though I’m unsure if that is the Director’s Cut. The Director’s Cut is available for rent/purchase in the USA/UK through Amazon and AppleTV, and also available on DVD & Blu-ray.
