The year is 1997, and Ben Affleck is the lead of Kevin Smith's controversial tale about a boy and his undying attraction to his lesbian best friend. It's low-budget, rugged, and gains a cult following. This past weekend, Chasing Amy returned to the gay consciousness with a 20th anniversary screening at Outfest, Los Angeles's LGBT film festival.
During a Q&A, Kevin Smith recounted his experience shooting with Affleck and his costar Jason Lee, who had a kissing scene, Gay Star News reports. He told the audience that Affleck was apprehensive during shooting and even said, "A man kissing another man is the greatest acting challenge an actor can ever face." When they wrapped the scene, Affleck said to Smith, "Now I’m a serious actor."
Although this is hearsay about an event that is two decades old—Chasing Amy gave the then–24-year-old Affleck his first leading role — Westworld's Evan Rachel Wood, who is bisexual, had a timely response.
Try getting raped in a scene.
Also, grow up Ben. https://t.co/fohRbGDNJp
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) July 18, 2017
She also responded to the tweet below:
I'm sure he just thought it was a funny, but even jokes like that are damaging.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) July 18, 2017
Also, you think us ladies like kissing all the guys we kiss? Just cause its a "straight kiss" doesnt mean we enjoy it. Ahem.
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) July 18, 2017
Later in the day, she deleted the thread, but her point about "playing gay" being put on a thespian pedestal is still valid. Playing transgender is similarly elevated; cisgender actors such as Jeffrey Tambor, Hilary Swank, and Jared Leto have won Emmys and Oscars for portraying trans people.
