For Immediate Release:
June 15, 2009
FOR SCREENERS, IMAGES OR LICENSING CONTACT:
Maura King
Frameline
maura@frameline.org
415/703-8650 x306
FOR COMMENTS OR INTERVIEWS CONTACT:
Seth Randal
www.FALLof55.com
sethrandal@gmail.com
208/284-0982
FILM ON NOTORIOUS IDAHO SCANDAL COMING TO TWIN FALLS
Documentary THE FALL OF ‘55 Chronicles So-Called “boys of Boise” Cases
BOISE, IDAHO — A film hailed as “the definitive work” (Barbara Wilcox, gay.com) on the notorious “boys of Boise” sex scandal is coming to the Magic Valley. The Fall of ‘55 will show at the College of Southern Idaho Aspen Building on Thursday, June 25th at 7 p.m. This free screening is open to the public and sponsored by the Alliance at the College of Southern Idaho and SIGLBT Community Center as part of Magic Valley Pride 2009.
“The Fall of ‘55 documents an important and misunderstood part of Idaho history,” said Director Seth Randal. “Countless people fled Idaho because of these events,” Randal said. “I’m thrilled we can bring this story to folks in the Magic Valley.” Immediately after the screening, Randal will participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience, where he will discuss some of the research conducted in the Twin Falls area, as well as the filmmaking process.
In the fall of 1955, a gay sex scandal erupted in Boise, as teenage boys who had prostituted themselves to older men began to disclose their dalliances to authorities. Overnight, Boise’s homosexual underworld — comprised mostly of married family men — was splashed onto headlines and thrust into the national spotlight. Reputations were shattered and lives ruined as the rumors and accusations flew. What followed was a classic witch-hunt, marked by intense homophobic hysteria, in which the whole town became embroiled.
The Fall of ‘55 was made by a local team led by Randal, a former TV news producer. He and Boise State University archivist Alan Virta conducted research and interviews throughout the country over a period of five years, uncovering many details never before made public. The film brings the scandal alive through new and archival interviews, vintage letters, news articles, film and photographs.
The documentary has appeared at film festivals and community events throughout the country, including in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Boise and Spokane. It is also being used as as an educational tool at universities including Duke, University of Michigan, Northwestern, University of Virginia and Boise State.
Working with a budget of less than $80,000, Randal found significant support within his local community, with Idahoans contributing not only their stories and talent but also providing completion funds for the documentary.
“The Boise morals drive made national headlines, and the consequences continue even today. This happened more than 50 years ago, but we believe the story still has great relevance to Idaho — and America — today,” Randal said.
###
About Frameline
Founded in 1979, Frameline’s mission is to strengthen the diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and further its visibility by supporting and promoting a broad array of cultural representations and artistic expression in film, video and other media arts. Frameline’s year-round programs provide critical funding for LGBT filmmakers, reach hundreds of thousands with a collection of more than 200 films distributed internationally, and create an international stage for the world’s best queer film through the San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival and additional year-round cinematic events. Frameline titles have aired on cable channels such as The Sundance Channel, Logo and HereTV, in addition to numerous local public television stations.
For more information about Frameline please visit www.frameline.org
About Seth Randal
An Idaho native, Seth Randal wrote, directed, produced and helped research The Fall of ‘55. He inspired hundreds of people in Boise and beyond to help tell the controversial story of the 1955 morals drive. Randal has told telling compelling, real-life stories for well over a decade, primarily through his career in print and broadcast journalism. He has been quoted by numerous national media sources including National Public Radio and co-wrote an opinion piece for The New York Times’ Sunday Edition about the arrest and prosecution of former Senator Larry Craig. The Fall of ‘55 is his first film. He also directed “State of Change,” a 23-minute short documentary about the 2008 Ada County Democratic Caucus. That film is available as a free download through iTunes.
Quotes about The Fall of ‘55
“A fascinating and disturbing documentary, The Fall of ‘55 details through vivid interviews and diligent research a witch hunt instigated by Boise authorities in search of a ‘sex ring’ of men preying on teenage boys.”
— BOISE WEEKLY
“[T]ruly noteworthy… Five years of careful research and interviews with Boise residents touched personally by the events reveal surprising new information about many of the men involved.”
— NEWFEST FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMMERS • New York City
“Spirited and meticulously fair, ‘ The Fall of ‘55 ‘ is deeply instructive to the rest of us, who might think it could never happen where we live.“
— GAY.COM