Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner (2024)

Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner (2024) poster

An unflinching portrayal of Appalachian queer painter and poet Henry L. Faulkner from Egypt, Kentucky (1924–1981). The most documented queer man in the history of Kentucky and possibly the country, Faulkner documented his life and lovers as an adolescent in the 1930s til the day he died. This film tells a raucous, unapologetic, and unfiltered story told with Faulkner’s photographs, paintings, poetry, rare film and audio recordings, and interviews with people who knew him. This film describes a boy and a man unwilling to hide who he is and willing to face the consequences for his authenticity. Faulkner was unashamedly gay at a time when many LGBTQ people lived closeted lives. Self-proclaimed a ‘radical homosexual,’ Henry’s art was a fusion of life experience, an acute sense of color, and his sexuality. His homes became refuges for many young people in Lexington, Kentucky, and Key West Florida, both gay and straight, in search of a freer way of life.

Director: Jean Donohue
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 100 min
Release Date:

Cast

Language: English
Original Language: en
More Films by Director: Jean Donohue
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner about?
An unflinching portrayal of Appalachian queer painter and poet Henry L. Faulkner from Egypt, Kentucky (1924–1981). The most documented queer man in the history of Kentucky and possibly the country, Faulkner documented his life and lovers as an adolescent in the 1930s til the day he died. This film tells a raucous, unapologetic, and unfiltered story told with Faulkner’s photographs, paintings, poetry, rare film and audio recordings, and interviews with people who knew him. This film describes a boy and a man unwilling to hide who he is and willing to face the consequences for his authenticity. Faulkner was unashamedly gay at a time when many LGBTQ people lived closeted lives. Self-proclaimed a ‘radical homosexual,’ Henry’s art was a fusion of life experience, an acute sense of color, and his sexuality. His homes became refuges for many young people in Lexington, Kentucky, and Key West Florida, both gay and straight, in search of a freer way of life.
Who directed Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner?
Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner was directed by Jean Donohue.
Who stars in Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner?
Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner stars Henry Faulkner, Silas House, Robert Morgan.
How long is Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner?
Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner has a runtime of 1h 40m (100 minutes).
What genre is Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner?
Under the Southern Cross: The Art and Legacy of Henry L. Faulkner is a Documentary film.