USA, 82 mins
I believe that everyone should have the right to love who they want (as long as it is consensual) and to follow whatever religion they want to (as long as it is not hurting others). However, I do not understand why anyone would want to remain worshipping in a religion that not only does not accept your sexuality, but also calls you a sinner for it. But, there are people out there who are GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) who want to be accepted and welcomed by the church. Like I say, I don’t understand why, but they do. I don’t really understand the need for anyone to have religion, regardless of any other aspect of their lives.
Anyhow, personal opinions aside, Love Free or Die is about the rights for GLBT people to be accepted in the church, both within their hierarchy and to have parishioners’’ gay weddings to be celebrated by the church.
Much of the film follows Gene Robinson, the first openly gay man living in a relationship to become bishop in the Episcopal Church, a branch of the Anglican Church. He is the only bishop to not be invited to the meeting of all of the bishops of the world, but is still invited (against the Archbishop of Canterbury’s instruction) to preach at a church in London. The film also covers the voting at the Episcopal conference as to whether they would change their ways to accept GLBT lifestyles or not, with the risk that a yes vote would break them away from the Anglican Church.
The subject matter covered is very interesting, but it’s not a great film. At no stage was I outraged about the issue and I did not feel connection to anyone’s plight.
Love Free or Die screens at ACMI at 6:30pm on Monday, May 13
ireckonthat 