• Contact
  • Privacy Policy
Blacksonrise.com
DONATE
  • Home
    • Caribbean
    • African American
    • African
    • Australian
    • Papua New Guinea
  • Ecourses
  • Herbs
  • Consultation
  • Login
    • LogOut
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • Caribbean
    • African American
    • African
    • Australian
    • Papua New Guinea
  • Ecourses
  • Herbs
  • Consultation
  • Login
    • LogOut
No Result
View All Result
Blacksonrise.com
No Result
View All Result

Hulu’s ‘Love, Victor’ Is A Welcome Diversion For An LGBTQ Pride Month Like No Other

blacksonrise by blacksonrise
June 17, 2020
in Afro Latino News
0
Hulu’s ‘Love, Victor’ Is A Welcome Diversion For An LGBTQ Pride Month Like No Other
0
SHARES
135
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

With 2020’s LGBTQ Pride Month off to a less-than-celebratory start, there couldn’t be a better time to retreat into the cozy world of “Love, Simon,” where adolescent romance and self-acceptance can be found atop a Ferris wheel. 

When it debuted in theaters two years ago, “Love, Simon” was declared a cinematic milestone. Greg Berlanti’s coming-of-age film garnered mixed reviews, but nonetheless broke fresh ground as Hollywood’s first mainstream comedy to center on a gay teenager.  

The legacy of “Love, Simon” looms large over Hulu’s charming, thoughtful and binge-worthy series spinoff, “Love, Victor.” To be fair, the TV adaptation’s 10-episode first season shares much of its big screen predecessor’s DNA, featuring a teen protagonist struggling with his sexuality, a diverse cast and, yes, even that Ferris wheel. 

From left: Hulu's “Love, Victor” stars Anthony Turpel, Bebe Wood, Rachel Naomi Hilson and Michael Cimin



Hulu

From left: Hulu’s “Love, Victor” stars Anthony Turpel, Bebe Wood, Rachel Naomi Hilson and Michael Cimino.

Still, there are marked differences between “Love, Victor,” which premieres Wednesday on Hulu, and “Love, Simon.” For one, 15-year-old Victor (Michael Cimino) hails from a religious, working-class Colombian-American family ― a far cry from the privileged life of Simon (Nick Robinson), who lived in an impeccably furnished home with his upper-middle class (and presumably agnostic) white parents. 

“Keeping it as authentic and real as the movie was important to me,” Cimino, whose credits include “Annabelle Comes Home” and the CBS series “Training Day,” told HuffPost. “There was a responsibility [to the source material]. But I wanted to take it from the perspective of a traditional Latino family, a family of lower income.”

Advertisements

“Love, Victor” begins with Victor starting his first day at Atlanta’s Creekwood High ― the same school featured in “Love, Simon” ― after relocating from Texas under mysterious circumstances. Before long, he joins the basketball team, finds a geeky best friend, Felix (Anthony Turpel, a standout), and develops an interest in Mia (Rachel Naomi Hilson), the most popular girl in his class. 

Victor (Cimino, left) can't keep his eyes off of his classmate, Benji (George Sear).



Hulu

Victor (Cimino, left) can’t keep his eyes off of his classmate, Benji (George Sear).

Still, Victor can’t shake the feeling that something’s not quite right. His parents’ strained marriage and socioeconomic struggles weigh heavily on his self-confidence. But he also can’t take his eyes off a dreamy gay classmate, Benji (George Sear). So he begins corresponding with Simon (Robinson, mostly in voiceover), now attending college in New York with his boyfriend, over Instagram.

“Victor’s journey will feel familiar in that he has religious ideas and cultural expectations to contend with,” showrunner Brian Tanen told HuffPost. “There are complications to this character being himself. This is a less idealized version that reflects the real stories of people whose experiences are not always ideal.” 

Cimino, who is of mixed Puerto Rican, Italian and German heritage, drew from the experiences of his gay cousin to bring Victor to life. 

“He’s the most charismatic person I’ve met in my life,” the actor said. “He’s a strong-willed person, but when he was younger, he was more reserved and scared. … It was important for me to represent who he is now, as well as who he used to be. Being able to represent his struggle was an utmost honor.” 

Victor finds a kindred spirit in his girlfriend, Mia (Hilson), as he adapts to a new city and school.



Hulu

Victor finds a kindred spirit in his girlfriend, Mia (Hilson), as he adapts to a new city and school.

Well-meaning intentions aside, “Love, Victor” weathered controversy early on. The first snapshots of the series hit the internet in February, when it was also announced that the show would debut on Hulu rather than Disney+, for which it had been initially developed. 

Neither of those streaming services — both of which are owned by Disney — issued a public statement explaining the reasoning behind the swap. A number of media outlets, however, suggested that the show’s references to alcohol use and marital discord between adults didn’t gel with the family-focused vibe of Disney+. The prevailing assumption, however, was that the show’s narrative was “too gay” for its original platform.

Such criticisms overlook the fact that Disney+ has made visible strides to diversify its output, notably in “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” and a Pixar short, “Out,” both of which feature gay characters and same-sex couples. Still, questions as to why the service jettisoned “Love, Victor” remain prevalent, even in otherwise positive reviews of the show.

Cimino (right, with Turpel) based his portrayal of 15-year-old Victor on his gay cousin. “Being able to represent



Hulu

Cimino (right, with Turpel) based his portrayal of 15-year-old Victor on his gay cousin. “Being able to represent his struggle was an utmost honor,” he said.

For Cimino and Tanen, they view their series’ new home as an opportunity rather than a liability. Though both men are tight-lipped about what may be in store for Season 2 ― for which a creative team has reportedly been commissioned ― they hope future episodes dial up the heat between Victor and his romantic partner(s), as well as the dramatic tension across the board.

“There are some themes that are advanced for a young audience,” Cimino said. “Disney+ was nothing but supportive of our show and got us to where we are now. Hulu will push us further. I think that speaks for itself.”

Tanen agreed, adding, “I think it’ll make our show better, and it won’t constrain the kind of story we want to tell.”

“Our dream for ‘Love, Victor’ isn’t for it to be just a coming-out journey,” he said. “It’s also about a kid who has relationships and explores the sexual parts of his identity. So it’s our hope that Victor will experience those things as he gets older, like a real young adult.”

Calling all HuffPost superfans!

Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost’s next chapter


Credit: Source link

Previous Post

This Woman Creates Coloring Books To Help Teach Black Children New Languages

Next Post

Around 9% of Guinea-Bissau health workers have been infected with COVID-19: WHO - SABC News

Next Post
Around 9% of Guinea-Bissau health workers have been infected with COVID-19: WHO – SABC News

Around 9% of Guinea-Bissau health workers have been infected with COVID-19: WHO - SABC News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

HOT Updates

World’s largest dam mural, Reflections, opened in Collie
Aboriginal Australia News

World’s largest dam mural, Reflections, opened in Collie

February 19, 2021
Consultations with First Nations lacking on mines proposed in northwestern Ontario 
Aboriginal Australia Business

Consultations with First Nations lacking on mines proposed in northwestern Ontario 

February 19, 2021
Tax experts divided on Mboweni’s expected tax announcements – SABC News
Africa Business

Tax experts divided on Mboweni’s expected tax announcements – SABC News

February 21, 2021
33 Senators Want To Know Why The USPS Is Still Dealing With Delays
African American Business

33 Senators Want To Know Why The USPS Is Still Dealing With Delays

February 18, 2021
DPP appeals judge’s ruling after ex-cop freed of corruption charges
Caribbean Business

DPP appeals judge’s ruling after ex-cop freed of corruption charges

February 19, 2021
Africa: Innovating for Mothers Challenge launched to improve maternal and newborn health care in Senegal
African News

Africa: Many African Countries Had a Surprise Manufacturing Surge in 2010s – It Bodes Well for the Years Ahead

February 18, 2021
When will I receive the vaccine? Australia’s COVID jab rollout only days away
Aboriginal Australia News

When will I receive the vaccine? Australia’s COVID jab rollout only days away

February 19, 2021
Ex-Facebook Australia CEO Urges People to Delete App After News Ban
Aboriginal Australia News

Ex-Facebook Australia CEO Urges People to Delete App After News Ban

February 18, 2021
Chicago’s Black History Month Kicks Off With the Musical Production ‘1619: The Journey of a People’ – African American News Today
African American News

LaRose Spotlights African-American Owned Businesses for the Month of February – African American News Today

February 19, 2021
Fortescue Metals : Diversity at Fortescue recognised at WA’s peak business awards
Aboriginal Australia Business

Insurance Australia : 19 Feb 2021It’s been two years since we released our latest Elevate…… Read

February 19, 2021
VOTERS HEAD TO POLLS – Caribbean Life News
Caribbean News

VOTERS HEAD TO POLLS – Caribbean Life News

February 18, 2021
Learn How to Develop Your Own Websites With This $40 Coding Bundle
African American Business

Learn How to Develop Your Own Websites With This $40 Coding Bundle

February 19, 2021
Snoop Dogg Announces INDOGGO Gin Now Has National Distribution
African American Business

Snoop Dogg Announces INDOGGO Gin Now Has National Distribution

February 19, 2021
Africa COVID-19 deaths surpass 100 000 after second wave – SABC News
African News

Africa COVID-19 deaths surpass 100 000 after second wave – SABC News

February 19, 2021
ESPN Deportes to Air New Special “Somos Afro-Latinos” Tonight
Afro Latino News

ESPN Deportes to Air New Special “Somos Afro-Latinos” Tonight

February 18, 2021
Forestry funding boosts job opportunities for Indigenous youth
Aboriginal Australia Business

Forestry funding boosts job opportunities for Indigenous youth

February 18, 2021
South Carolina bans most abortions, Planned Parenthood sues | Health News
African American News

South Carolina bans most abortions, Planned Parenthood sues | Health News

February 19, 2021
Afrobeats Singer Mr Eazi Reveals His Hit Song ‘Lento’ Is Charting In Mexico At No.18
Afro Latino News

Afrobeats Singer Mr Eazi Reveals His Hit Song ‘Lento’ Is Charting In Mexico At No.18

February 18, 2021
Father and Son Launch Program to Educate Disadvantaged Communities About Financial Literacy
African American Business

Father and Son Launch Program to Educate Disadvantaged Communities About Financial Literacy

February 18, 2021
S.C. abortion ban now law; challenge filed
African American News

S.C. abortion ban now law; challenge filed

February 19, 2021

BlackSonRise.com is an online news portal which aims to provide Caribbean News, African News, Business and much more stuff like that. Feel free to get in touch with us!

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Tax experts divided on Mboweni’s expected tax announcements – SABC News
  • LaRose Spotlights African-American Owned Businesses for the Month of February – African American News Today
  • Consultations with First Nations lacking on mines proposed in northwestern Ontario 

Subscribe NOW

Loading
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2019 Blacksonrise.com is an online news, e-learning, and business website that caters to the global black community.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • Caribbean
    • African American
    • African
    • Australian
    • Papua New Guinea
  • Ecourses
  • Herbs
  • Consultation
  • Login
    • LogOut

© 2019 Blacksonrise.com is an online news, e-learning, and business website that caters to the global black community.