Tallinn Bearty talks to Gerald McCullouch
If you follow our news you must have noticed we met just recently with Gerald McCullouch, director and lead actor of Daddy and producer and director of feature documentary All Male, All Nude. Gerald was honorable red carpet guest at the first LGBT film festival in Estonia, the Festheart.
Saturday, October 7th 2017. Weather in a smalltown of Rakvere, Estonia is exactly as expected in October- skies are covered with clouds that deliver spectacle of monochrome drama, while spots of blue sky and surroundings offer all imaginable colors as nature prepares to hibernate graciously. Adding to the vivid palette of colors is respectable bunch of visitors and participants of Festheart film festival, location Rakvere Teatrikino. Gerald comes with hosts of the festival and smiles like we just had not seen each other for long time but been friends for ages. And that certainly makes me feel much more at ease when talking to the celebrity of TV's CSI, as well as Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place, Gerald is more familiar to bears by his role in the Bear City trilogy.
Tallinn Bearty TB - is it hard to be Daddy?
Gerald McCullouch GM - it’s hard to be daddy when you know the reality… of the story. That’s all I am saying. With bearculture there is more acknowledgement of older gay community and I take pride in the fact that I have come this far and that I have grown into what people label as being “daddy”.
TB - you are most known thanks to Bear City. How did the bear culture and community come to you, or did you go to them?
GM - It did come to me. I was not aware of bear culture. Initially, I didn’t think I was the right person for the role in Bear City. At the time I was at CSI and I had never been cast to a role that had to embrace the sexual nature of the role. I thought there might be actors that would be more appropriate for the role. Doug Langway, the director, took me for dinner one night and I said to him I am not sure I am right for this role. But he said that he wants to show the variety of the bear community - cubs, bears, black and polar bears, silver foxes, otters and wolves. Visually he wanted to show all that. So I said if you believe I am good for the role then I will do it.
TB - You have entered the community now!
GM - I did! It’s been funny because when we filmed Bear City - the first one - none of us knew what was gonna happen. Right when we finished filming that I got cast in the play of Daddy, in New York. From doing Bear City and then Daddy there was such a big outpouring of support and interest and praise. It is such a welcoming community.
TB - what do you think bear community gives or can give to society, beyond its own borders?
GM - bear community has evolved into accepting community that embraces your age, size, many other characteristics, and that is a beautiful example to other communities.
TB - what would you say to people who are still thinking whether to come to Tallinn Bearty?
GM - I happen to love this area, I’ve travelled to Baltics few times in my life. I love the people here, I love the history around. I think the world is a beautiful place that should be explored. If you have a reason to see the world going to a party that is completely inclusive and get an experience you won’t forget why would you say no to that. Visibility is a key factor in eliminating stereotypes, so events like Festheart, like Tallinn Bearty, those bring visibility to community that people need to see so their stereotypes would disappear.
Tallinn Bearty (TB) has set its course on bringing fresh breeze every time we organize or promote something. Every year sees us put focus on one top arts category: visual arts, music or cinematography. Our aim is to power bear brotherhood in a way that will advance equal rights for everyone, in or out of our own community.