‘Edge Of Seventeen’ & ‘Another Gay Sequel’ filmmaker looks back on the challenges of telling gay stories
Edge Of Seventeen is a nostalgic and earnest tale about coming out and coming of age in a small town.2008’s Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!, on the other hand, is a raunchy and ridiculous comedy spoof sequel, with gay sex jokes that will still make you blush.Given their wildly different tones, it’s almost hard to believe these movies come from the same person.
But, with a signature fearlessness and a make-no-apologies approach to queerness, both are undoubtedly the work of filmmaker Todd Stephens.Born in suburban Ohio, Stephens emerged as a voice on the independent film scene at the tail-end of the New Queer Cinema movement with Edge Of Seventeen—which he wrote inspired by his own teen years—earning critical acclaim.After his follow-up film, Gypsy 83 (also his official directorial debut), had difficulty getting distribution, Stephens took a hard left turn into goofy parody with Another Gay Movie, which was divisive but quickly amassed a cult following.
Two years later, its sequel was meant to be bigger and bawdier, but it had plenty of its own hiccups on the way to getting made.This June marks a milestone anniversary for both films, so we thought there was no better time to call up Stephens for a trip down memory line.
As it turns out, each feature presented him with unique challenges that took the writer-director to some dark places.But, 25 and 15 years later, respectively, Stephens is able to look back at Edge Of Seventeen and Another Gay Sequel with a clearer perspective, and we’re able to celebrate him for the trailblazer that he is.Happy Pride Month, Todd!Happy Pride!This is an extra special June for you because it marks both the 25th anniversary of Edge Of Seventeen—which premiered June 14, 1998 at Newfest in.
