The Boys of Manchester: On the Set of Queer as Folk (2000) (TV)

Directors:

John Catania
Charles D. Ignacio

Writers:

John Catania (writer)
Charles D. Ignacio (writer)

Genre:

Documentary

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Tanya Barfield	...	Narrator (voice)
Denise Black	...	Herself
Antony Cotton	...	Himself
Russell T. Davies	...	Himself
Aidan Gillen	...	Himself
Charlie Hunnam	...	Himself
Craig Kelly	...	Himself
Joel Schumacher	...	Himself
Nicola Shindler	...	Herself
Bruce Vilanch	...	Himself (introduction)

An insightful look at the original queer series.

This is a very fun behind the scenes look at the original QUEER AS FOLK, the British series that took the TV world by storm in 1999 and inspired the long running Showtime version. Superior in writing and acting to the American counterpart, Britain's QUEER AS FOLK is the one to see, as well as this doc if you can find it. It was shot on location in Manchester during the filming of the second part of the series, and all the original "boys" are interviewed, as well the brilliant writer, Russell Davies and executive producer Nicola Shindler. The documentary was produced by In the Life, the gay and lesbian news-magazine series still airing on PBS.

All three of the actors central to the story - Aiden Gillen, Charlie Hunnam, and Craig Kelly - display their magnetism in interviews, as well as their surprise at how popular the series had become in Britain, especially among young British girls who were getting into the story as well as the sex scenes. Also adding to the fun is Denise Black, who plays Vince's mother. Ultimately the doc catches an incredible moment in history just before boys doing boys on television became commonplace.