So when it came to seeing the finished film for the first time, I didn’t really feel nervous or concerned that I wouldn’t like it – though I suspect Stewart had those emotions about my reaction. My overwhelming emotion was more curiosity to finally see it. My first viewing was at the Outtakes Festival screening in Christchurch in June 2005. The New Zealand premiere had been held in Auckland a couple of weeks earlier but I had been unable to attend. However, the Christchurch screening was more personal for me as I had grown up in the South Island; that was where the novel was set and the film was shot. The audience could appreciate that this was a truly local film. It also meant that a large contingent of my family could attend the screening as they all lived in the South Island.
But the film still held many surprises and thrills for me. I had only met some of the cast when I visited the set, so I was seeing Rima Te Wiata as Aunt Evey and George Mason as Arch for the first time. The look and style of the film was also a revelation given the budgetary constraints Michele and Stewart had worked under. One qualm I’d had was over the space scenes, with a sneaking suspicion that they might be kind of clunky. But instead, they are an absolute highlight and Andrew in drag as Lana is stunning. In the still photographs, I’d seen prior to the screening, I’d even failed to recognise him! There is also a wealth of very clever period detail in the film’s production design which is absolutely spot-on and brought a nostalgic smile to my face.
My initial response to the film was wholehearted enthusiasm and delight. Later, in the days that followed, I began to feel the occasional pang of regret that some moment or scene from the book or an earlier draft of the screenplay hadn’t made it into the finished film. But as the author, that is only natural. I always knew that a 90 minute feature film could never explore all the plot the novel contains. For me, the gay themes have always been the most important aspect of the novel, so I was very pleased and relieved that they were given such a full, frank and funny exploration in Stewart’s film. Gay audiences are often short-changed when gay-themed stories make the transition from print to film: the characters and themes are watered down or transformed completely and it can be so disappointing. That’s definitely not the case with this film – it will deeply satisfy a gay audience – but with its strong performances and universal themes, it’s also very likely to charm a general audience.
But 50 Ways is also very distinctively a New Zealand film. As an expatriate New Zealander who still retains a very strong identification with my homeland, it was wonderfully affirming to watch a film that had such a unique New Zealand setting and character. There are lots of small moments in the film that capture that particular period in New Zealand so evocatively. When I was growing up in rural New Zealand in the 1970s, there were no positive representations of gay men anywhere. So to see a life, so similar to the one I lived in many ways, on the big screen is nothing short of revelatory. I can’t imagine such a film being made back in the Seventies when it is set, so it is also a testament to the fact that times have changed, attitudes towards homosexuality are more enlightened and accepting, and hopefully for young people, coming out is not so daunting and difficult. A large part of the reason I left New Zealand for Sydney at age twenty-one was to come out as gay away from friends and family and their expectations.
Finally, I think I need to address the one question I get asked a lot about my book and the film: is the main character Billy based on me? There isn’t a quick yes or no answer to this question – it’s more complex. Certainly, the very first draft of the novel was extremely autobiographical. However, many other drafts followed that initial one and the finished book is very different to my first attempt. Writing a novel is a process of developing, rewriting and refining. As I worked, I made many changes for narrative purposes. I also exaggerated many events to make them funny or dramatic and invented lots of entirely new scenes, characters and events. During that process, Billy’s story took on a life of its own, different to my life though still with common ground. As for the other characters, they are fictional. There are occasional moments or lines of dialogue that owe a debt to reality, but I have not put my family in the novel.
In many ways Billy is my fictional ‘identical twin’. On the surface we might seem the same and we do have shared experiences, but there are also many differences. But certainly, I was fat, theatrical, and a fledgling poofter. I loathed rugby and farm work, both of which were compulsory, and I did on one occasion use a cow’s tail as a hair piece. However, when I tried ‘my wig’ out on a visitor – the local vet of all people, who would certainly be able to recognise a cow’s tail – he wasn’t fooled and I threw it away.
As for the film, the character of Billy has been filtered through Stewart’s point-of-view and is subtly different once again. Though I must admit it was rather uncanny seeing still photographs of Andrew Paterson as Billy for the first time. There was a definite resemblance to what I looked like at that age. He even had a two-tone towelling hat exactly like the one I used to wear as a child.
A version of this essay was first published in September 2005 by the North American distributor of the film, Olive Films.
See this fabulous coming-of-age story on screen with the 50 WAYS OF SAYING FABULOUS DVD, now available.
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Download Book One of 'The Indignities' ebook series FOR FREE!
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Time to Upsize
(The Indignities Book One)
By Graeme Aitken
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Upsize instantly to this witty, sexy and bestselling Australian series of e-books! The Indignities Book One is available FOR FREE as a special introductory offer!
Turning thirty years old can be traumatic for young gay men who yearn to be boyish forever – but what can you do? It’s unavoidable. Or is it? Clever, conniving Stephen Spear thinks he can outsmart this particular milestone. After all, he’s managed to convince his sweet, passive boyfriend Blake that he’s been faithful to him for the past three years. Smoothing over and explaining away inconvenient realities is an absolute cinch for Stephen!
But when temptation moves right next-door in the form of Rick, a Sydney hunk with a legendary endowment, Stephen disregards any sense of caution. He’s too entranced and far too self-absorbed to realise that the seduction might not actually unfold in accordance with his master plan.
Stephen Spear, the anti-hero of the bestselling Australian novel Vanity Fierce, rides again in this outrageous sequel. Set ten years after Vanity Fierce, this new series of books can also be read as a self-contained storyline.
Praise for The Indignities from influential Australian mainstream media:
‘Aitken’s wit is wicked in every sense of that word, while his ability to address confronting issues in a deceptively sunny manner is admirable.’ (Australian Book Review)
‘The gay world has turned since Vanity Fierce, with the internet making its mark on social and sexual behaviour. Aitken has a keen sense of that, opening a window onto the lively confusions of gay culture.’ (The Age, Melbourne)
The newspaper of record for Sydney’s GLBT community urges readers to read The Indignities.
‘Aitken may have written the prequel to this book more than a decade ago, but don’t let that fool you into thinking The Indignities is a second-rate follow. Far from it. Aitken has has not only given character Stephen Spear a whole new audience, but also provided him with the depth of character readers of Vanity Fierce feared he may never find. A must read.’ (Sydney Star Observer)
Upsize today! This funny, sexy and very entertaining book is FREE!
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Continue to read The Indignities ebook series.
Private Party
(The Indignities Book Two)
By Graeme Aitken
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You’re invited to a very private party!
br /> It’s an intimate affair, men only, with a dress code of get undressed! And who’s the host? Why, it’s Stephen Spear, who is certainly shaking things up now that he’s suddenly single.
Poor Stephen has discovered that the gay scene has changed – dramatically! The boys are a generation younger and he no longer commands the attention he once did. Besides, everyone is hooking up online. It’s a technology Stephen is completely clueless about – though apparently, his ex, Blake, was quite the authority!
As Stephen explores and experiments online, he becomes entangled with a very eloquent but elusive guy – whom he seems destined never to meet. Exasperated, Stephen cuts loose and inadvertently ends up hosting a party where the guests have no clothes – and no inhibitions whatsoever!
This is a party like no other – sexy, amusing, entertaining, and with a truly unforgettable climax! Go on. Accept your invitation! Buy The Indignities #2 and join the party!
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Praise for The Indignities from influential Australian mainstream media:
‘Graeme Aitken provides another provocative perspective on love and other catastrophes in Sydney’s gay male community. Aitken skillfully blends explicit sexual detail with fine observational humour.’ (Australian Book Review)
‘A witty and closely observed novel about the life and lust of Darlinghurst gay guy Stephen Spear. Stephen is an unlikeable, vain character, but there’s a good chance he’ll remind you of someone you know.’ (The Age, Melbourne)
‘Aitken’s writing style is detailed and nicely evocative. He writes characters extremely well, with both humour and poignancy. Aitken also knows how to deliver a satisfying ending.’ (Polari Journal)
Read the very entertaining conclusion to The Indignities ebook series!
Me, Myself and Someone Else
(The Indignities Book Three)
By Graeme Aitken
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If all the world’s a stage – then a star should never be bored!
Once Stephen Spear’s destiny as an actor seemed so assured – but after he was throttled to death on prime time television, his prospects seemed to shrivel up and die. Yet, true talent can’t be crushed. For if all the world is truly a stage, then why shouldn’t Stephen create and become a new character whenever he feels like it? Given the ghastly turn his personal circumstances have taken, it was a sheer relief to pretend to be someone else. Of course some sticklers might call this lying, but Stephen considered it the flourishing of his creative gift.
This imprudent artistic experiment takes Stephen to some surprising places. Though he does find himself back on stage, in the spotlight, and winning prizes – just not quite as he had imagined. While along for the ride, is the most unlikely new partner in crime.
Stephen’s antics reach outrageous new heights in this wicked, witty depiction of the gay Sydney lifestyle. This is the highly original and very entertaining conclusion to The Indignities e-book trilogy.
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Praise for The Indignities:
‘Aitken’s writing style is detailed and nicely evocative. He writes characters extremely well, with both humour and poignancy. Aitken also knows how to deliver a satisfying ending. Overall The Indignities series provides a satisfying read that tickles the funny bone and the heart-strings. I enjoyed these books and look forward to more from Aitken, who is a skilled and sensitive writer.’ (Polari Journal)
‘The gay world has turned since Vanity Fierce, with the internet making its mark on social and sexual behaviour. Aitken has a keen sense of that, opening a window onto the lively confusions of gay culture.’ (The Age, Melbourne)
This short stand alone ebook by Graeme Aitken is also available.
Top Mark
By Graeme Aitken
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Meet ‘the Marks’.
It was strange at first for Mark, dating a guy with the same first name as him. But ‘the Marks’ developed nicknames for each other. Mark became ‘Top Mark’, a sly nod to his role in the bedroom.
But after seven years together, Mark hasn’t had much opportunity to be on top lately. There have been a lot of conversations avoided, unexplained absences, and some very unsettling phone calls.
From the author of the very popular Sydney based ebook series The Indignities comes this new e-book short. In his trademark sexy style, Graeme Aitken explores the intricacies of a modern gay relationship with wit, insight and empathy.
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About the Author
Graeme Aitken
Graeme Aitken is the author of three novels: 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous (1995), Vanity Fierce (1998), and its sequel The Indignities (2010). He also edited The Penguin Book of Gay Australian Writing (2002). His most recent work is an ebook short Top Mark (2012). 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous was adapted into a feature film by writer/director Stewart Main in New Zealand and had its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2005. Graeme was born and raised on a remote farm in Central Otago, New Zealand. This upbringing provided the background for his first novel 50 Ways. Graeme has now lived in Sydney, Australia for almost thirty years. For much of that time, he has worked as the manager/buyer of a small specialist bookshop. This position has complemented his work as a writer. He has also reviewed books for several Australian gay newspapers and magazines over the years. Graeme has served as DNA Magazine’s chief book critic for more than fifteen years now, since their first issue.
You can contact Graeme via his website, sign up for his newsletter, or keep up-to-date on his activities via social media.
Website: http://graemeaitken.com/contact
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_GraemeAitken
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AitkenGraeme
Author Photo Credit: José Rincon Castro
Print and ebook titles by Graeme Aitken
50 Ways of Saying Fabulous (novel) – available in a two volume 20th anniversary edition ebook series (20Ten Books). The print edition can be obtained from The Bookshop Darlinghurst (see details below) or directly from the author.
Vanity Fierce (novel) – available as a printed book and ebook (Random House Australia, 1998)
The Indignities (novel) – available as a three part ebook series (20Ten Books, 2012). Note: this is a sequel to Vanity Fierce. The print edition (Clouds of Magellan, 2010) can be obtained from The Bookshop Darlinghurst (see details below) or directly from the author.
Top Mark (ebook short) (20Ten Books, 2012)
Also available 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous DVD, a 2005 feature film adaptation of the novel, written and directed by Stewart Main.
Ebooks by Graeme Aitken are available from major ebook retailers (Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, Nook, Google play, Smashwords etc).
The best bookshop to obtain print editions of titles by Graeme Aitken or the 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous DVD is The Bookshop Darlinghurst, 207 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. They will mail order anywhere in the world.
Website – http://www.thebookshop.com.au/brands/Graeme-Aitken.html
Email –
[email protected] Praise for other books by Graeme Aitken
Vanity Fierce (novel)
‘A deceptively engaging read; a thoroughly modern satire of urban ghetto lifestyles … peppered with characters both pungent and picaresque, it’s something of an antipodean Bildungsroman.’ Gay Times (London)
‘Required reading … Aitken’s depictions are real to the point of recognition. Light, funny, and a great holiday read.’ Time Out (London)
‘The evil yet somehow natural jealousy that one feels when scorned in love is captured with alarming accuracy … Vanity Fierce has the easy appeal of a soap opera, but the depth and wit one expects from a first class writer.’ QX Magazine (London)
The Indignities (novel)
‘Aitken may have written the prequel to
this book more than a decade ago, but don’t let that fool you into thinking The Indignities is a second-rate follow. Far from it. Aitken has has not only given character Stephen Spear a whole new audience, but also provided him with the depth of character readers of Vanity Fierce feared he may never find. A must read.’ (Sydney Star Observer)
‘Aitken’s wit is wicked in every sense of that word, while his ability to address confronting issues in a deceptively sunny manner is admirable.’ (Australian Book Review)
‘The gay world has turned since Vanity Fierce, with the internet making its mark on social and sexual behaviour. Aitken has a keen sense of that, opening a window onto the lively confusions of gay culture.’ (The Age, Melbourne)