Actors, Actors, Actors! The following serves as part one of a guide to the English actor-writer-painter Dirk Bogarde, alongside some recommendations, personal thoughts, and more.
Nice piece. Id just make one suggestion about language. You use the word "queerness" - Id suggest that "queer" was a very threatening word to men of that era, it was a slur often followed by violence, threats or harassment.
His roles were brave and groundbreaking but use of that word is highly offensive to some of that era. I suspect that, as Bogarde never came out, he would be one of those
I honestly completely agree with you now. I believe at the time I wrote it had become ostensibly the most pc word for describing gays and lesbians, which in retrospect I highly disagree with. I think it is quite odd, personally, how the word has become reclaimed and loved by many.
Its mad isn't it. I was one in the 80s/90s who embraced the reclamation but it really hasnt worked, and was and is offensive to many. When people call me "queer" I ask if they use the "n" word - and watch the shock and realisation on their faces.
Thanks for your reply. I'm a Dirk fan from way back. Such brave & risky film choices! ❤
Nice piece. Id just make one suggestion about language. You use the word "queerness" - Id suggest that "queer" was a very threatening word to men of that era, it was a slur often followed by violence, threats or harassment.
His roles were brave and groundbreaking but use of that word is highly offensive to some of that era. I suspect that, as Bogarde never came out, he would be one of those
Hi there, thank you for this note.
I honestly completely agree with you now. I believe at the time I wrote it had become ostensibly the most pc word for describing gays and lesbians, which in retrospect I highly disagree with. I think it is quite odd, personally, how the word has become reclaimed and loved by many.
Its mad isn't it. I was one in the 80s/90s who embraced the reclamation but it really hasnt worked, and was and is offensive to many. When people call me "queer" I ask if they use the "n" word - and watch the shock and realisation on their faces.
Thanks for your reply. I'm a Dirk fan from way back. Such brave & risky film choices! ❤