THE secret world of programs to “cure” homosexuality will be revealed on screen in Yarraville this weekend.
Featuring past and present participants in religiously driven “ex-gay” programs across Australia, The Cure is a documentary exploring psychological damage the programs can cause.
Producer Helen Kelly said she and director Heather Corkhill were stunned to discover that ‘reparative therapy’ and ‘ex-gay’ programs were still happening. “When we started making the film two years ago we were shocked to find this happening. It’s the kind of thing you imagine in the evangelical states of America. It’s not something I think resonates with Australian values.”
Kelly said they found “virtually all Christian denominations” in Australia had some form of program aimed at convincing gay and lesbian believers to renounce their sexuality.
A common thread for those who feature in the documentary is a terrible state of mental health brought about by the conflict between their feelings and their faith. There’s a high degree of drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm and even attempts at suicide. “They think they’re going to hell for what they’re feeling,” Kelly said. “We’ve had two screenings and each time people have come up to us with these harrowing stories of their own experiences.”
The filmmakers tried to balance the film with the perspective of those running the programs, but only one organisation was willing to be involved. “There’s a shroud of secrecy over these groups and the work they do,” Kelly said. “There’s a lack of willingness to go public, to stand up and defend these programs.”
The Cure screens at 3.30pm this Saturday at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre. It is part of West Hollywood 2012, screening highlights of the 22nd Melbourne Queer Film Festival, from June 1-3. Other films include Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same, The Green, Kawa and OZ Shorts – a free screening of Australian short films.
Bookings and further details: mqff.com.au
