Date: Wed, 22 Nov 1995 10:24:31 +0100 From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD) Subject: Paul Monette - The Brink of Summer's End P a u l M o n e t t e T h e B r i n k o f S u m m e r ' s E n d Dear Friends, Paul Monette wrote 16 books including the novels Taking Care of Mrs. Carroll, The Gold Diggers, Afterlife and Halfway Home. His groundbreaking work, Borrowed Time: An AIDS Memoir, written in 1988, helped to humanize the AIDS plague and accurately portray gay love and relationships. In 1992, Paul was awarded the National Book Award for his autobiography, Becoming A Man: Half A Life Story. Reviewers called it one of the most complex, moral, personal and political books about gay life, and hailed it as "a daring and heartbreaking memoir." Three years ago, director, Monte Bramer and I embarked upon a journey with Paul to tell the story of the last months of Paul's life. We shared a belief that AIDS was wiping away our history as quickly as it was wiping out our people. As a writer, Paul felt that books were a great way to touch people on a personal level, but he also understood that a single screening of a film on television could reach a wider audience than all of his books combined. Knowing this, we set out to document on film Paul's last efforts as a gay writer, AIDS activist, committed lover and friend. Monte and I followed Paul and his partner Winston Wilde on trips across this country and abroad as Paul received awards and made numerous public appearances. We also interviewed Paul at regular intervals chronicling close up his personal journey through AIDS. As difficult as it was for Paul to have his privacy invaded on a day to day basis he remained committed to the project because he was convinced telling this part of his story might be useful to others. Prior to his death this past February we recorded over thirty hours with Paul. This summer we completed shooting additional interviews with many of Paul's friends and associates. We are beginning to edit this feature length documentary on the life and work of one our most heroic figures. Monte and I, along with a few of Paul's friends and readers, have struggled to fund production to this point. Our original completion budget was $152,000 but by calling in every favor, twisting the arms of all of our professional contacts we were able to grind that figure down to $75,000. Having exhausted our favors and pushed ourselves (and our credit cards) to the limit we are urgently asking your help to raise the remaining $75,000 of our budget. Please join us on December 9th and make a contribution in person. If you can't make it, please send your contribution to the address below. Please do not wait, these funds are needed as soon as possible in order to take full advantage of the donated and discounted services offered to us. The end of the year is fast approaching and as we are operating under the auspices of a 501 (c) corporation, all contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you in advance for support, Lesli Klainberg Producer Paul Monette: The Brink of Summer's End is being produced under the fiscal sponsorship of Media Network (A non-profit 501 (c) 3 Corporation, Fed. ID #13-33217) Contribution made payable to Media Network/Paul Monette:The Brink of Summer's End 846 South Mullen Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005 P a u l M o n e t t e T h e B r i n k o f S u m m e r ' s E n d A Documentary On The Life And Work Of National Book Award Winner Paul Monette Please join us for a cocktail party to raise funds to complete this important film about the late writer-activist Paul Monette. One of the most eloquent voices of the gay and lesbian community. Saturday, December 9th 5pm - 7pm At the home of Ken Beck & Adam Slone 8743 Appian Way Los Angeles 90046 From north or south Laurel Canyon Drive turn onto Lookout Mountain. You will drive up Lookout past three stop signs all the way to the top. At the first stop sign - veer left and continue up hill. At second stop sign continue straight ahead. At the third stop sign go straight ahead, Lookout Mountain becomes Appian Way. 8743 is approximately 13 houses on the left hand side. Call 213.650.1439 if you zigged when you should have zagged. DON'T FORGET YOUR CHECK BOOK!! ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE! ****************************************************************************** Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) glaad@glaad.org The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD, is a national organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of individuals and events in the media as a means of combatting homophobia and all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. **************************************************************************** **