The first episode of Ellen Page’s new Viceland series, Gaycation–airing March 2, explores LGBT issues in Japan. Page travels with her gay best friend Ian Daniel, whom she met studying permaculture design in an eco-village in Oregon. The pair do a bar crawl in the gay district of Tokyo, meet women who enjoy naughty manga comics, and are present as a gay man comes out to his mother.
In future episodes, Page and Daniel thoughtfully investigate what it means to be LGBT in Brazil and Jamaica, as well as the U.S. For the San Francisco Bay Times, I recently spoke with the intrepid travelers about Gaycation and their adventures.
Gary M. Kramer: How/why did you conceive of this show?
Ellen Page: I love travel shows, and always have. I’ve been privileged to travel with my job. I wanted to make a show that was specifically focused on the LGBT community in that country. But also, what does it mean as an LGBT person travelling around the world?
Ian Daniel: I tagged along. I thought it was a great platform for being edgy, interesting, fun, and vibrant. I’m a gay guy who has not actively participated in LGBT culture on this level, so it was a way for me to push myself and get out of my bubble. It had potential to shape things and change people, and coming from my childhood in Indiana, this was a great opportunity to reach people across the country, and around the world.
Gary M. Kramer: How did you determine where you went and what you featured in each episode?
Ellen Page: We did research on a lot of countries to figure out where we wanted to go. The people we spoke to have been courageous and brave humans. It’s a humbling, inspiring experience. When the young man [in Japan] decided to come out to his mother, and wanted us to be there–that happened on the ground. That becomes a conversation: Do you really want us there? In Brazil, Carnival is part of the episode, and we show what that incredible celebration represents: sexual freedom and a lot of trans dancers. It’s an incredible thing to see that and then what the reality is for LGBT people in Brazil.
Ian Daniel: Some places aren’t accessible. We’re not coming in under the radar, or pretending to be straight. In our conversations, we look to get what we want out of each episode. Brazil looks like it is ahead of the curve on LGBT rights, but there is a lot of violence. Is the culture and subculture interesting to dig into? Are people living or surviving? Jamaica is harder to get people on camera if they are LGBT. We want to share those stories.
Gary M. Kramer: Did any of your experiences surprise you?
Ellen Page: We didn’t plan to go into the Cholesterol bar in Tokyo, where the man with the throat made a sex toy. He had the [toys] on the bar, and he invited us in. We did not plan it!
Ian Daniel: I’m game to try things and immerse myself, and maybe with a too naïve attitude. I’m so curious about this: how do I participate in a way that’s not offensive? We agree that to be there for Jamaica’s first public Pride ceremony–which was tangibly exciting, and historic, and electric–was an emotional moment.
Gary M. Kramer: How do you respond to, and process, your Gaycation experiences?
Ellen Page: The biggest take away is how much I have learned and how fortunate I’ve been to meet incredible activists, and people who have survived and are vulnerable sharing their story and wanting their voices to be heard. We’ve had some really intense moments–parents losing a trans daughter or gay son to violence. That’s emotional and heartbreaking. Ian and I offer each other support. I think the sad thing is the reality of people whose lives are far more vulnerable than you. You can leave and go back to your life where you live freely as a gay person.
Ian Daniel: For me, the point of the show is that we’re connecting–and trying to connect to–people whose stories you rarely or never hear. Our personal interactions can help dispel bigoted stereotypes, and that exposure helps people. It’s hard to see a way out for people who are marginalized. It’s hard to change the country from within. We witness that. We’re not journalists. We come in with our own feelings. What more can you get out of it than being humbled?
Gary M. Kramer: What are some of your travel secrets?
Ellen Page: I don’t know that I have travel tips. I throw stuff in a bag. I try to pack light. Bring your best friend.
Ian Daniel: Learn about the place before you enter it. Brush up on customs, culture and do not go on your assumptions. If you’re LGBT, it’s important to understand the way the countries stand on those issues. If I look at myself as a traveler, I have to remind myself to be open-minded about the way people are living there and how they navigate through the world.
© 2016 Gary M. Kramer
Gary M. Kramer is the author of “Independent Queer Cinema: Reviews and Interviews,” and the co-editor of “Directory of World Cinema: Argentina.” Follow him on Twitter @garymkramer
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