esrosedotblog

ISMAIL MERCHANT

Half of Merchant-Ivory films died yesterday in London. He is the one on the left.

I note it, mostly, because the two were also life partners; a very visible and un-repentant gay couple back when that kind of thing just was not done in public.

They lived a very public life and it was greatly appreciated by those of us who were doing the same thing. They simply were. No questions about it and no explanation.

In an odd and totally unrelated way, this is the same favor that Sigfreid and Roy payed us as. I know. Kitsch. But still, there was this solidity about their identity which no one questioned.

Out gay men were powerful examples, but couples. That was important stuff.

The Merchant-Ivory films got over burdened with their professional reputation and nearly fell of their own weight. There was a time when one would go see their latest effort without question. Then, the enterprise slipped a bit and it did not come so automatic. Finally, I don't remember going to any of their later productions.

But, the main point is their life together. They were together ten years longer than John and I. Merchant is my age exactly.