This biographic documentary is a tribute to Paul Monette, the gifted gay writer whose death in 1995 brought an early end to a promising career. The film examines his childhood in Massachusetts, his close family life, his school experiences, and his struggle with his sexuality. Readings from Monette's work punctuate interviews with the author, his brother, and friends. Home movies and photos reveal Monette's love of life nearly as well as his words. "Becoming A Man", "Borrowed Time", and "Last Watch of the Night" are masterpieces of gay literature that uplifted a generation of men who were imprisoned in the closet, and inspire another generation who can now be proud of themselves and those they love. Paul Monette left more than a legacy of words about the experience of living with and dying from AIDS. He left all of us with the strategy to "go without hate, but not without rage. Heal the world."
Originally planning to make a documentary that profiled several gay people, director Monte Bramer and producer Lesli Klainberg changed their minds after meeting Monette. "It was a magical three hours," Bramer said of this initial meeting. "We knew then that here was a subject of a major documentary." The film was a big hit at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, picking up the coveted Audience Award for Best Documentary. Jon Ehrlich composed the incidental music and Monte Bramer wrote the script and directed.
