Film about gay heartthrob Rex Gildo comes to theaters
Rex Gildo's life is being produced for the big screen. The film by Rosa von Praunheim is entitled "Rex Gildo - The Last Dance". It tells the story of a real ladies' man who was, however, secretly homosexual during his lifetime. For the public, he was therefore the unapproachable dream of many women.
Rex Gildo was a talented German star who made a career as a singer and actor. He appeared in about 30 movies and many of his famous hits, such as "Fiesta Mexicana", are still sung by young people today, ... And this despite the fact that the release date of this song was more than 50 years ago.
Rex Gildo's secret private life
Almost every woman (and certainly some men) dreamed of being at Rex Gildo's side, especially in the 1950s and 1960s. At that time, the public did not know that the gentlemen of creation would probably have had better chances. The artist's homosexuality was to remain hidden from the public. In the 50s and 60s, it was virtually taboo for homosexual stars to come out, let alone live out their sexuality freely.
An outing would have meant an immediate career end, perhaps even a prison sentence. No artist could afford a criminal record at that time. A clean slate was a prerequisite for employment - especially in the pop business.
Every fan knew that Rex Gildo married his cousin Marion at that time. But his heart belonged to a man. Exactly that should be covered up at that time. He had a real love affair with his manager Fred Miekley, who was at the same time his discoverer and foster father. Only the couple's closest confidants knew and kept this secret.
When his manager and partner died, Rex Gildo's career was also dying. He became addicted to pills and alcohol. This is precisely the story Rosa von Praunheim wants to tell with the feature film about Gildo's life.
"Rex Gildo - the last dance": A film with a special message
Rosa von Praunheim uses real facts, but also fictional additions, to present her version of Rex Gildo's tragic life. "Tragic" above all because he always carried a (then) serious secret with him.
It depicts the story of a man from show business who was never able to openly admit his sexuality during his lifetime. The woman behind the film wants above all to draw attention to the problems a homosexual man faced at that time. What is unimaginable for many today was reality in the 50s and 60s.
Coming out was tantamount to a professional death sentence. Social ostracism would have been certain.
Times change, but Rex Gildo refrained from coming out
The situation for gay men changed in the course of the sexual revolution. But even after that, Rex Gildo was still too attached to his image and took his secret to the grave.
Praunheim does not blame Rex Gildo for his secret life. The change from heartthrob to gay man would have been extreme for many. The probability that many fans would have turned away from him was definitely high.
In 1999, Rex Gildo died after falling from the window of his Munich apartment. He lived to be only 63 years old.
Many well-known actors participate in the film. Among others, Kilian Berger as the young Rex Gildo, Ben Becker as Fred Miekley and Sidsel Hindhede as Gitte Hænning.
The children's book "A Kangaroo Like You" receives the Audio Film Award