When Aeryn Gilleran visited his mother Kathy in Ithaca, NY in September of 2007, the trip was fairly routine: they went to Aeryn’s favorite place, the Cornell Plantations, watched movies with family, and of course stocked up on his favorite clothes from JC Penney. But there were also bigger plans on the table – Aeryn was trying to convince his mother to sell her home and move to Vienna, where he worked for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). But fate had other plans. Kathy had no way of knowing when she dropped Aeryn off at the airport on September 20 that it would be the last time she would ever see her son.
Gone begins at 1pm at Little Theater 1.
"Gone" broke my heart yesterday. It is haunting and painful, but also a tribute to love, compassion.
ReplyDeleteVery nice documentary, after which I'm pretty much crossing Austria off the list of places to visit while traveling. Very sad story.
ReplyDeleteThis could have happened here in the US just 40 to 50 years ago (and likely did). Sad to see places that are still so backward.
This was hard for me to watch.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe it. I could understand somewhere in Africa, Asia even, but Austria? and Vienna out of all places? Well, I guess I won't be going there anytime soon...
Seriously, WTF? I thought Vienna was a very gay friendly city.
Haunting movie. Saw this some days ago and it still is fresh in my mind. What possibly happened to this young man? Where is he, or his body? A little too much emphasis on the bad treatment by the police in this situation-- in my mind the prime focus should be on the case and what happened to Aeryn.
ReplyDeleteSo many loose ends, thinking of them all would drive you crazy. Would have loved some other input to this documentary aside from the one perspective (I realize that was the chosen technique, but unsatisfying). What of the lover/upstairs neighbor? What of the overdramatic fellow in the spa-- what was his story? Who was he? The couple who witnessed Aeryn's flight? Who owns that spa? Why was the management or owner not questioned?
Maddening. I understand the mother's grief, but she was a police woman. I would have not been spending my time taking the train to the furthest stop and walking all the way home and screaming in the bathtub. I'd be calling the NYTimes, camped out at the Embassy until they DID something, calling my Senator, Congressperson, any human rights or gay rights organizations I could think of, researching who owned that spa, camping out on THEIR doorstep, etc etc.
Frustrating. But generally well done documentary that hopefully will bring some focus and resolution to this bizarre disappearance.
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ReplyDeleteTouch and heartbreaking. The story needs to get out and this film may help.
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ReplyDeleteGOOD. Have enjoyed all 3 films I have seen over the weekend. Came from Syracuse to enjoy them.
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ReplyDeleteI didn't clap at the end not because I didn't like it but because this isn't the kind of film that makes me wanna cheer, ya know?
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ReplyDeleteGood. Moving. Depressing.
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ReplyDeleteA well-done documentary!
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ReplyDeleteExcellent. A story well-told.
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ReplyDeleteIntriguing.
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ReplyDeleteDepressing, sad, real and frustrating.
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ReplyDeleteVery interesting! Very well done!
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ReplyDeleteA well-told story. But no answers. Where was justice?
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ReplyDeleteTraumatic. Makes you reevaluate your own safety, acceptance and rights. I hope with all my heart that she gets answers.
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ReplyDeleteSo frustrating and heartbreaking -- that has to be what Hell is like. That poor mother's pain.
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ReplyDeleteOutrageous behavior of Vienna police! So sad to lose such a vibrant young man.
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ReplyDeleteMovie makes me very angry. Makes me aware of unseen jeopardy for all who are different.
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ReplyDeleteDevastating. Very well done. Justice delayed IS justice denied.
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ReplyDeleteHer emotions ... so raw ... so real.
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ReplyDeleteThought-provoking and sad.
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ReplyDeleteI hope she keeps fighting but can also move on and enjoy life as well!
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ReplyDeleteWHAT CAN WE DO?
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ReplyDeleteThe poor lady. I would've hurt somebody there in Austrian police by now.
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ReplyDeleteA touching tribute of love and like she said, "Intolerance is still alive."
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ReplyDeleteWOW. Profoundly sad yet she keeps going.
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ReplyDeleteEven after several viewings, this film retains its power -- heartbreaking. I share Kathy's hope that someone develops a conscience so she can have some small measure of closure.
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ReplyDeleteHeartbreaking story. My prayers to them.
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ReplyDeleteThis film demonstrates that to there is a need to inform the public with a story of corruption to bring awareness in hopes of attaining justice.