A Cut Above
Attitude UK|July/August 2022
David McGillivray meets Swan Song star Udo Kier, the legendary, openly gay actor you may never have heard of
By David McGillivray
A Cut Above

For the past few months, a low-budget, crowd-funded film called Swan Song has created quite a buzz. It's about a real-life gay hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger (1943-2012), whom writer-director Todd Stephens knew when he was growing up in Sandusky, Ohio.

Played in the film by veteran actor Udo Kier, Pat, who is retired, ill and in a care home, reluctantly agrees to travel to a funeral parlour to dress the hair of a recently deceased former customer. But the journey to this appointment is less sentimental and more thoughtful than you might expect, given Stephens's CV (Another Gay Movie, Another Gay Sequel). Most of the praise for the picture, however, has been reserved for Kier, who delivers a late-life tourde-force as an old-school queen.

Now 77, Kier has forged an extraordinary career working with some of the world's greatest directors and appearing in a lot of trash besides. But we haven't seen him do anything quite like this before. The depth of emotion he brings to what could have been an embarrassing stereotype will surprise you. I caught up with him to find out more.

Born in Cologne, Kier speaks his own, charming version of English. I'd been warned not to ask him personal questions but, when I call him, he begins by telling me where he's living. I'm in my house in Palm Springs, a former library which was built in 1965 by a famous architect, Albert Frey, he reveals.

I collect mid-20th century furniture, and the art work of my friends - David Hockney, Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe, Keith Haring - is on the walls, he says, dropping a quantity of names that's allowable when you've been in more than 250 films.

Bu hikaye Attitude UK dergisinin July/August 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Attitude UK dergisinin July/August 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

ATTITUDE UK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
SUPER TROUPERS
Attitude UK

SUPER TROUPERS

Happily married couple Mark Gatiss and lan Hallard have collaborated on a play inspired by lan's devotion to ABBA. Now beginning its UK tour, The Way Old Friends Do is not about the Swedish superstars, but two mates performing as ABBA in drag. We interviewed the pair to find out more...

time-read
10 dak  |
March/April 2023
Welcome to MIAMI
Attitude UK

Welcome to MIAMI

We explore the queer and vibrant streets of Miami Beach before getting a feel for Wynwood, Miami's trendy up-and-coming neighbourhood

time-read
10+ dak  |
March/April 2023
Work of ART
Attitude UK

Work of ART

Michael F. Rumsby always aspired to be an artist. After a very successful career in PR, he's now following his passion full time, as he shares here

time-read
5 dak  |
March/April 2023
Right MOVES
Attitude UK

Right MOVES

Meet a fashion icon who can do it all. Sakeema Peng Crook is an international model, content creator, dancer and activist whose mantra is embodying positive change

time-read
1 min  |
March/April 2023
Getting SERIOUS
Attitude UK

Getting SERIOUS

Not content with making the nation laugh, comedian turned campaigner Joe Lycett has taken to speaking out on the issues of the day - from David Beckham becoming the face of antigay Qatar in the World Cup to the UK government's immigration policy. We loved him before but now we love him even more...

time-read
7 dak  |
March/April 2023
Transforming LIVES
Attitude UK

Transforming LIVES

In 2020, Dani St James founded Not A Phase, a charity that wants to make a difference for trans and gender-diverse adults. Here, she tells us more

time-read
4 dak  |
March/April 2023
A breath of FRESH AIR
Attitude UK

A breath of FRESH AIR

From encouraging cycling to implementing Ultra-Low Emission Oliver Lord has made London's controversial Zone, eco campaigner great strides towards cutting pollution

time-read
5 dak  |
March/April 2023
Freer THAN EVER
Attitude UK

Freer THAN EVER

Actor Adam Ali on bringing their \"queer Arab magic\" to film and TV, including Waterloo Road, coming out, and how they hope to inspire and influence positive change through representation

time-read
8 dak  |
March/April 2023
Aqua MAN
Attitude UK

Aqua MAN

As one of the few publicly gay professional swimmers, Team GB's Daniel Jervis discusses coming out, the highs and lows of 2022 and what's up next

time-read
9 dak  |
March/April 2023
Baptism OF FIRE
Attitude UK

Baptism OF FIRE

Here, globetrotting guru and founder of LGBTQ+ travel website Every Queer, Meg Ten Eyck writes about her recent trip to Burning Man

time-read
8 dak  |
March/April 2023