DeepFocus Productions - Stories From the War on Homosexuality

Stories From the War on Homosexuality:
The Arthur Dong Collection, Vol. 1

3-DVD Set

For the first time, digitally re-mastered DVDs of Coming Out Under Fire, Family Fundamentals, and Licensed to Kill are available together in Stories From the War on Homosexuality: The Arthur Dong Collection, Vol. 1. The collection has over 4 hours of additional material and bonus features, including more than 2 hours of previously unreleased footage, viewer guides for each title, and much more. Packaged in a specially designed Collector’s Edition box priced at a savings over individual purchase of each DVD.

“The films [Arthur Dong] makes about real-life battles are arguably more compelling than any effects-laden spectacles you’re likely to see all summer.”

–Los Angeles Times

“Simply calling Arthur Dong a documentary filmmaker doesn’t capture the full scope of his talent or integrity. A one-man band who writes, directs, photographs, edits and narrates... Dong is part of a modern tradition in nonfiction filmmaking”

–New York Press

“From one of America's best documentary filmmakers, Arthur Dong's collection is a must-have for anyone interested in contemporary storytelling. Like master filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, Dong explores culture and institutions – the military (Coming Out Under Fire), hate violence (License to Kill), and religion (Family Fundamentals) – to dramatically reveal the social consequences of individual actions in America's 20th century Culture Wars over gay and lesbian issues. With rare insight and intelligence, Dong's versatility deftly combines the personal and the political to weave passionate forays into the hearts and minds of his subjects. Dong's ultimate subjects, though, are his audiences --now numbering in the millions – and his real search is for common ground across difference; an inspiration for any one of us.”

–Cara Mertes, Executive Director, P.O.V.

See Additional Press and Reviews below

3-DVD SET INCLUDES:

Special Features:

Over 4 hours of bonus material, including more than 2 hours of previously unreleased footage
Illustrated viewer guides for each film, with essays by award-winning author/journalist, Chris Bull, Washington correspondent for the Advocate
11 previously unreleased interviews, plus interviews with the filmmaker
10 deleted and extended scenes
Music selections from each film, plus composers’ biographies and comments
Original full-length theatrical versions, digitally re-mastered
Historical documents and timelines

Additional Press & Reviews:

The New York Press
“It is now possible to see Dong not just as a committed activist filmmaker, but a plain-spoken visionary...The supplements are superb.”
(download PDF: NewYorkPressDVD.pdf, 74KB)

Bay Windows, New England
“A definitive series...the new DVD collection comes loaded with added and extended scenes, interviews with Dong, and articles by Advocate reporter Chris Bull that provide a rich context for each film...What better way to understand the landmark Massachuetts Supreme Justice Court decision [on same-sex marriages].”
(download PDF: BayWindows.pdf, 170KB)

Philadelphia Gay News
"Engrossing, socially important works...listings of resources and liner notes worthy of classroom discussion.”
(download PDF: PhiladelphiaGayNews.pdf, 94KB)

GayWired.com
“An essential eye opening must-own DVD Collection.”
(download PDF: GayWired.pdf, 150KB)

OutSmart Magazine, Houston
“One of the best threesomes you’ll ever have...Together, these films powerfully illustrate the different fronts where the gay rights struggles continue to be fought — military, religion, and hate crimes...a truly remarkable job.”
(download PDF: OutSmartDVDBoxreview.pdf, 178KB)

Frontiers News Magazine, Los Angeles
“A mandatory addition to your DVD collection...A filmmaker of integrity, Dong’s magic act is blending highly personal issues with an open perspective toward his compelling subjects.”
(download PDF: FrontiersNewsmagazine.pdf, 450KB)

Washington Blade
Finding Strength in Pain: Review and Interview with Filmmaker Arthur Dong
(download PDF: WashingtonBlade12-26-03.pdf, 400KB)