Deep Dive: Dear Jesse (1998)
Film Lens
Dear Jesse is a 1998 documentary by Tim Kirkman, presented as a letter to Senator Jesse Helms, who is known for his anti-gay rights stance. The film juxtaposes Kirkman's experiences as an openly gay man with Helms' political views. It includes interviews with various individuals, such as community activists, novelists Lee Smith and Allan Gurganus, and openly gay Carrboro mayor Mike Nelson, along with a brief interview with Matthew Shepard, a student at Catawba College.
The film was produced by Mary Beth Mann and edited by Joe Klotz, featuring music by John Crooke and cinematography by Norwood Cheek. It received critical acclaim, holding an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 7 reviews. The film won the Audience Award at the 1998 Frameline festival and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, further establishing its impact within the LGBTQ+ documentary genre.
Why Watch
- •Meet openly gay Carrboro mayor Mike Nelson
- •See interviews with Lee Smith and Allan Gurganus
- •Find out about Jesse Helms' anti-gay rights views
Did You Know
•The film won the Audience Award at the 1998 Frameline festival.
•Matthew Shepard was interviewed in the film while he was a student.
•The film has an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 7 reviews.
•Tim Kirkman was nominated for an Emmy Award for Documentary Writing after the film aired.
Perfect For
LGBTQ+ rights historyPolitical documentaries1990s American culture