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  • Hilary Swank Says LGBT Progress Made Her Cry

    Hilary Swank broke new ground in film when she starred as real-life transgender man Brandon Teena in Boys Don’t Cry. That was in 1999, and the world has changed a lot since then, in some ways.

    With the Supreme Court decision last week that legalized marriages for LGBT folks, Hilary Swank is beside herself with joy. She did a lot more work in that arena that many people may not be aware of.

    “I broke into tears [when I heard about the SCOTUS decision],” Swank told HuffPost Live. “It’s been a really long time coming, and it’s just such a beautiful moment for everybody.”

    Swank spoke of the wide acceptance of Caitlyn Jenner and the shifting tide in America toward LGBT acceptance.

    “I think it’s extraordinary. In 1999, I filmed Boys Don’t Cry. It was one of the first movies that touched on these types of stories, that was widely accepted. It was obviously a true story that deals with these hate crimes. I then became a spokesperson for the Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered Questioning Youth Organization, the Hetrick-Martin Institute here in New York City for ten years after that. I was able to spend time with the youth there and be really hands-on with them.”

    The Hetrick-Martin Institute specifically addresses the safety of LGBT youth, advocating that “all young people — regardless of sexual orientation or identity — deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to thrive.”

    Hilary Swank got to see the need for that first-hand when working with the Institute.

    “They had an accredited high school that was built while I was working there. In New York City, 100 percent of them said that every single day they were abused either physically or mentally — every single day in New York City. So, it’s extraordinary to see how far we’ve come.”

  • Tommy Lee Jones Is A ‘Total Softy’ Says Hilary Swank

    Some of us may remember Tommy Lee Jones as the no-nonsense U.S. Marshall from his Academy Award-winning performance in The Fugitive.

    Others may know Jones as the tough and stubborn Captain Woodrow F. Call from the beloved miniseries Lonesome Dove

    On screen, Tommy Lee Jones is more likely to portray characters that are steely-eyed and perhaps a bit intimidating.

    But his co-star in the Western movie Homesman has a secret.

    According to Hilary Swank, Jones is actually a big “softy”.

    “He shows what he wants to show to the press or to the world,” said Swank, “[Y]et he comes alive on set in a totally different way.”

    Hilary Swank also said that she considers Jones a “visionary” and “artisan”.

    Said Swank, “I [was just] a sponge in his presence.”

    When told about Hilary’s comments, Tommy Lee didn’t exactly disagree.

    That’s not a word that I would use to describe anybody, much less myself,” said Jones “But it sounds positive right?”

    Jones then reportedly smiled and said, “All right, I’m a ‘softy’. Yeah, I’ll accept that.”

    Even though Tommy Lee Jones isn’t really the stern, tough guy he comes across as in many of his movies, that doesn’t mean you should underestimate him.

    “[Jones] doesn’t suffer fools,” said Swank. “That’s a really good way to say it.”’

    She added, “”I think his time is precious, [a]nd he just chooses specifically how he wants to spend it.”

    Tommy Lee Jones is both the director and star of The Homesman, a movie that is described as being in the tradition of True Grit.

    In the movie, he plays a claim jumper and mercenary named Brigg who is hired by a plain-faced devout Christian and rancher named Mary (Hilary Swank) to transport three pioneer women who have gone insane back to civilization.

    Although the character taps into an image of Tommy Lee Jones that we’ve come to know, at least we have the reassurance that underneath all of it is more or less a rather gentle soul.

  • Tommy Lee Jones Makes Directorial Return With “The Homesman”

    Tommy Lee Jones may just have made his own feminist take on the western. The western is an iconic genre that has been around since the early days of American cinema, and while it’s a genre that’s mostly peppered with hard-living cowboys and bounty hunters, it’s rare that we get to see the female perspective regarding the old west. The Homesman, Jones’ latest directorial effort, opts to shine the light on the plight of the average American female during the Wild West.

    The Homesman is about Mary Lee Cuddy (played by Hilary Swank) who takes it upon herself to transport three women who were driven mad by the harsh realities of frontier life to the care of a woman in Iowa who has offered to take the women in. Cuddy and the three women are escorted by a deserter named George (played by Tommy Lee Jones) and together they face Native American tribes, freighters, and many other threats.

    Jones claimed that he is not interested in the western as a genre. “What I do have an interest in is making movies about the history of my country, where I live. Anyone who wants to be an artist makes work about where he lives,” Jones said about the film’s style and subject matter. He added, “The Homesman isn’t a western movie, but a movie that is about the history of women in my family. I don’t think there is a woman around who hasn’t been objectified or trivialized because of her gender.”

    Ever since debuting at Cannes, The Homesman garnered mixed to positive reviews. The New York Post praised Jones’ direction and called the film “a rare 21st-century Western without shootouts or explosions”.  Film blog The Playlist, however, called it a flawed but enjoyable film that still has its merits. According to the review, “It’s an odd enough bird that it’s more than worth the watch”.

  • Maureen O’Hara, Harry Belafonte Receive Honorary Oscars in Front of Star-Studded Audience.

    Maureen O’Hara and Harry Belafonte were awarded honorary Academy Awards Saturday night in front of a star-studded audience at the Governor’s Awards Ceremony.

    Joining the legendary Irish actress and the social activist in receiving an honorary Academy Award were filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and screenwriter Jean-Claude Carriere. The event was held at a private dinner ceremony at Hollywood & Highland’s Ray Dolby Ballroom.

    Liam Neeson and Clint Eastwood introduced the 94-year-old O’Hara and concurred that both once had a crush on the beautiful actress. Described by Neeson as “one of the true legends of cinema” and “one of the most adventurous women who ever lived,” he said she was a pioneer in the industry for women by doing her own stunt work, notably in several John Wayne films.

    Arriving on stage in a wheelchair, O’Hara thanked filmmakers Charles Laughton and John Ford, and her late friend and co-star Wayne.

    “What’s this?!” said O’Hara when the award was handed to her. “I only hope it’s silver or gold and not like a spoon out of the kitchen.”

    Belafonte, 87, was introduced by Chris Rock and Susan Sarandon and accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his social activism.

    “I’m not here to honor you,” Rock said. “I’m here to thank you.”

    Sarandon called the actor and singer “a real-life, flesh and blood hero.”

    Belafonte accepted his award with his typical grace and eloquence.

    “To be rewarded by my peers for my work for human rights, civil rights and for peace… It powerfully mutes the enemy’s thunder,” he said.

    Belafonte said he shared the award with friend and colleague Sidney Poitier.

    “He redirected the ship of racial hatred in American culture,” Belafonte said, mentioning the actor’s long list of films, including 12 Years a Slave, noting the influential power of the film.

    “Maybe, just maybe, it could be civilization’s game-changer,” he said.

    Other attendees of the ceremony included Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, Kevin Costner, Mark Wahlberg, Ed Norton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Eddie Redmayne, Ron Howard and Hilary Swank.

    The Governors Awards was established by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2009. Highlights from the ceremony will be featured in the 2015 Oscar telecast in February.

  • Hilary Swank to be Honored for Animal Advocacy

    Animal-lover Hilary Swank will be honored May 3 for her work in animal rescue and her commitment to animal advocacy at the the Sixth Annual Petco Foundation’s Hope Gala in San Diego.

    The Academy Award-winnng actress will receive the Petco Foundation’s Hope Award which celebrates “the spirit of hope through a life dedicated to promoting the human-animal bond.”

    “It’s an honor to be recognized as an advocate for animals by such a respected organization as the Petco Foundation,” said Swank. “They work tirelessly every single day on behalf of animals and have such a far-reaching impact through their extraordinary efforts. This Hope Award is a reminder that we all need to individually come together in order to collectively bring hope and make a difference for animals, animal welfare and animal rights. For even one person’s vision and efforts today can have a lasting impact that will make a difference in the lives of these souls for many tomorrows.”

    The Hilaroo Foundation – Swank‘s animal-welfare organization uniting neglected youth and abandoned animals in the hopes of a healing bond – will receive a portion of the proceeds generated at the event.

    “It’s always a joy to celebrate the great work being done in animal-welfare by our friends and partners all over the country, particularly our Hope Award recipients,” said Susanne Kogut, Executive Director of the Petco Foundation. “We’re big fans of Hilary’s, not only for her incredible acting talent, but we’re also inspired and impressed by her passion for animal rescue and her determination to make a real difference.”

    Here’s Swank with her own rescued pups.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Hilary Swank Sets Out to Save Stray Romanian Dogs

    Hilary Swank loves animals, and she’s not above taking a trip across the pond to spread her love of those creatures who cannot speak for themselves. Recently, the “Million Dollar Baby” actress embarked on a mission to Bucharest, Romania in an attempt to save the stray dog population that’s quickly becoming a problem in the city. According to reports, there are approximately 35,000 canine running free, and their fate is still up in the air.

    What to do with these animals has become a hot-button issue in Romania; some feel that the dogs should be put down, while others believe they should be rounded up and placed into shelters. Additionally, quite a few folks think the canines should be sterilized, which would prevent them from producing even more strays. Swank, who feels that sterilization is the way to go, also feels that these dogs can help improve the lives of the disadvantaged.

    Here in the States, Swank created the organization Hilaroo, which helps unite animals with needy children and those whose lives have taken a turn for the worse.

    “I believe that is so healing to these kids who don’t trust people anymore,” she explained. “The unconditional love of an animal is very healing and teaches them about not just unconditional love but about a relationship, about responsibility, about anger management.”

    She feels that such an organization could help improve the stray canine population in Bucharest, as well. Instead of simply killing the dogs and being done with it, Swank urges officials to sterilize these homeless dogs and cats and allow them to interact with children who could benefit greatly from the companionship they provide.

    “I’ve seen firsthand how it changes the path of the soul,” she said. “For the animal and for the child.”