Rock Hudson - Dark And Handsome Stranger

Summary

Rock Hudson was a dream of a man; the epitome of masculinity: tall, slim
and muscular, with a deep, mellifluous voice. His glossy black hair, sparkling
eyes, high cheek bones and sensuous lips made Rock Hudson one of the
sexiest film stars that Hollywood has ever produced. Twenty-five years ago,
shortly before his sixtieth birthday, Rock Hudson died of Aids-related illnesses.
He was the first Hollywood celebrity to succumb to the acquired
immune deficiency syndrome.

But who was Rock Hudson really? This documentary sheds light on a
famous actor star who performed a clandestine balancing act between his
private and public lives; between the heterosexual world of an extremely
manly looking screen idol and a darker side of forbidden sexuality lived by
a secretly gay man.

The film combines extensive archive material, trailers and excerpts from his
films, but also photographs, footage from his private archive and interviews
in order to commemorate Rock Hudson’s life and career. The filmmakers
met up with the star’s childhood friends in his birthplace in Winnetka, Illinois,
and went to New York and Los Angeles to conduct interviews about his
Hollywood career. Rock Hudson’s close friends and confidantes – including
best-selling author Armistead Maupin ("Tales of the City"), producer and
director Stockton Briggle and PR manager Yanou Collart – all provide an
insight into the life of a Hollywood legend. Film historians Richard Dyer and
Robert Hofler, author of the book "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson", as
well as gossip columnist Rona Barrett also explain the way in which
Hollywood’s star and studio systems function. In addition, actors Richard
Anderson and Salome Jens as well as Leonard Stern, who produced a television
series with Rock Hudson, all share their experiences of working with
the star on set.

Source: 60. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Catalogue)