Chad Allen, Improving Entertainment…and Life…As We Know It
by david vera
It’s a warzone out there. Between cliché plotlines in tired gay cinema and unsympathetic anti-gay campaigns littered throughout the government landscape, the outlook on the LGBT horizon sometimes seems so grim. But once in a great while, a rare type of individual will saddle up and remind us that all we need to take back control is our latent drive—and a little well-channeled ire! Having played a sheriff of a wild-west town, an openly gay detective and a martyred missionary, Chad Allen is well-versed in the art of rescue.
The Rage Monthly recently spoke with the level-headed actor about his refreshing ventures in filmmaking, a few personal morsels of morality and his latest starring role in the universally enjoyable Hollywood, Je T’aime—which releases on DVD December 8.
RAGE: Hi Chad! Thanks for taking this time to fill us in. I’m very glad you were part of Hollywood, Je T’aime. What initially attracted you to it?
CA: It’s a fun film. I play a weed-dealer from the west side of Los Angeles who meets Jerome, the main character. There’s a hint of a romance that never really goes anywhere. I love the film because it’s got a Euro-sensibility that I like. I respect the film’s simplicity a great deal. It’s primarily about finding love, healing on the inside and what happens to all those tiny dreams inside all of us as Jerome moves about Los Angeles—thinking about what comes next and so forth. It’s a very L.A.-centric film. There are a lot of jokes that you really only get if you live in Los Angeles. I was interested to see how it would play outside of L.A. and people still seem to get it.
RAGE: Your character, Ross, is a very real guy—laid-back but vulnerable. What’s your take on him?
CA: I find him very sweet. Some people find him dark, I don’t know why. I think he’s very real. There’s a point in the film where you get to see some of his prejudices and fears. Even if we hide them deeply, we all have fears and judgments that come out—it’s very human and I appreciate that this movie was able to explore all sides. That’s what makes it different from a lot of American movies. It speaks to its heritage as an independent queer film. I think that’s something that we don’t get enough of anymore.
RAGE: The scene where Ross came out to Jerome—and to the viewers, basically—was sobering and authentic.
CA: Well that was the main reason I wanted to do the part. Many of my friends are poz and I haven’t had a chance in my work to explore that. I watch them sometimes struggle either with their own fears or society’s fears about their status. Though it isn’t a major theme of the film, it’s a very important part of who Ross is. He loves himself and therefore he loves that aspect of himself. He’s conscious that other people might have an issue with it, but it’s primarily their issue. I like that about him.
RAGE: It looks like you’ve been busy making films as well as starring in them. What can we look forward to seeing from you?
CA: I function as producer of a new film called Spork that I’m really thrilled with. It’s an extremely offbeat comedy—in the vein of Napoleon Dynamite or Welcome to the Doll House—about a 14-year-old intersex girl and her band of misfit friends as they attempt to find their place in the world. She comes to love herself as she is. I really love the project. I’ve loved it since I first read the script a few years ago. It’s got a lot of music and dance. It’s a blast. I won’t say I’m “in” it. It’s a very small part but the director begged me to do it, so I did it! We’ve just put the finishing touches on our first cut and submitted it to Sundance and a couple other festivals.
Also, I’m looking to direct a project about two elderly gay men who fall in love with each other in a seniors’ home. It’s called The Way Out and we’re co-producing it with David Duchovny. It’s very near and dear to my heart so hopefully we’ll get that shot in spring of 2010 and we’ll start talking about it in summer.
RAGE: I’ve read that there’s also a project coming up called For Better or For Worse.
CA: It’s a very funny look at gay marriage with a fantastic cast. We’ve had that in development for a while and we’re looking to put that together in the near future. But again, we can’t let the cat out of the bag too early!
RAGE: Speaking of gay marriage, I remember watching your debate on Larry King Live with Minister John MacArthur and thinking you were so eloquent in your talks. It would be hard for me to maintain the composure that you had.
CA: (laughter) You know, it’s interesting. We spent about two hours just talking before the show—he didn’t know who I was! There were separate green rooms for us, but I didn’t want to sit in the opposite green room; I wanted to sit with THIS guy if we were going to have a real conversation. We had sort of become very friendly backstage. So when we went on-air he couldn’t really go too far, you know? I’ve heard he can be very mean. By that time, he’d already invited me to spend Christmas with his family! At any rate, it was a nice interview.
In my opinion, this conversation about Christianity and homosexuality is one that’s evolving. And for those who are living in fear of the concept of gay people, it’s just a matter of illumination and time before we all see there’s nothing to be afraid of. I try my best not to get too angry or view with any hatred those who are a little behind on that conversation; just invite them to get to know us. Let God do the rest.
RAGE: Since that debate, you’ve led an increasingly powerful career in activism. What have you been up to lately in that arena?
CA: I just came back from the march in Washington D.C. It was an awesome weekend. I was at the HRC (Human Rights Campaign) dinner where President Obama spoke, I was leading a group of folks who marched…I’ve been doing a lot of hands-on stuff that we all need to be doing—making phone calls and participating at the grassroots level.
I saw Judy Shepard quoted recently, whom I just love and would do anything for. She had said the strongest weapon we have in the fight for our civil rights is our voice. I think that’s so true—the willingness to live our lives open, proud and being vocal about who we are. There are neighbors in my own community who still wonder if there’s goodness in my relationship. They need only see how we live our lives.
RAGE: Do you predict any major breakthroughs on the activist frontline?
CA: I expect that we’ll see some movement on the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell issue. This year, Obama was very forthright in his promise. He didn’t lay out a timeline but it was an unwavering promise to get it done! We need to hold him to fire on that one.
RAGE: You’re right, we should be taking more of an active role. But with our marriage losses in California and Maine, there’s so much disillusion.
CA: But there’s also a lot of anger. That’s what needs to be channeled. It’s not enough to just get angry when we lose something. That anger has got to be funneled into something creative; otherwise it’s kind of useless.
RAGE: On your down-time…if any…how do you like spending your days?
CA: Actually, I’ve been doing an enormous amount of scuba diving. I’ve been diving since I was 14 but now I’m working toward my Divemaster certification. It’s such a peaceful place for me to be. I can’t get enough of it. I’m going to the Galápagos Islands next month.
RAGE: Is there anyone currently sharing that down-time with you?
CA: Oh yeah, my partner. We’ve been together for a long time. I’m head-over-heels in love with him and I’m trying to keep our lives together very private, but he does mean everything to me.
RAGE: I’m very happy for you. And as always, it has been enlightening to speak with you.
CA: Thanks, man. Take care of yourself! We’ll talk again soon, I’m sure.
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Category: INTERVIEWS, SPOTLIGHTS
