Sam Smith has spoken about how the book and film Holding the Man have changed his life. The most powerful thing for me was how this book captured what it's like to grow up gay and all those confusing scary and amazing moments I had coming out and realising who I was," says Sam Smith. "I can't tell you all enough how much this book and film have meant to me over the past half a year," the singer says in a passionate Instagram post, about Timothy Conigrave's heartbreaking memoir about his life with John Caleo in 70s and 80s Australia. "This project and piece of work is the most breathtaking thing I have ever seen," Smith says. "As a gay man, it's very difficult sometimes to find films that I can properly and truly relate to. Although I can't relate to the awfully sad ending to Tim and John's story. The most powerful thing for me was how this book captured what it's like to grow up gay and all those confusing scary and amazing moments I had coming out and realising who I was." Smith is urging people to watch the film when they can. "And please spread the word. I long for the day when there are way more films about gay relationships, straight relationships, bisexual and transgender relationships and life stories. But for now support THIS film. Because this book and film pretty much changed my life." Holding the Man premiered on our shores today at the New Zealand International Film Festival. It screens again at The Civic on Saturday night, before dates in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson. Check out www.nziff.co.nzfor full details. GayNZ.com will have a review soon.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 30th July 2015 - 7:44pm