Ted & Noel

Ted & Noel (2023) -

Ted was obviously not dumb, because of what and how he was fighting for his cause, but his quiet and soft demeanour didn't necessarily show his intelligence or determination. That may have been partly camera shyness, but that meant that I found it hard to focus on what I was seeing. It became a tad dull, although I did want to know how it was going to go. Which generally wasn't anywhere in the end.

I was shocked to find that seniors in homes were treated so badly, especially in such recent history, so I did feel for Ted's cause following the mistreatment of his ex Noel in his care home, where he had suffered with Alzheimers. To hear of many elderly patients going back in the closet when they reach that point in their lives was awful to consider too.

However, quite honestly by the end of the film I just thought that it was bland and didn't really empower the cause it was representing. It made me go "Ahh bless that poor man" instead of "What can I do to stop this!?"

512.31/1000.

Within 25 minutes this short documentary covers the vast themes of queer rights, bereavement, and institutionalised abuse.

Ted Brown is an inspirational figure, and the film is a sympathetic snapshot of him being celebrated by younger members of the community while at the same time he struggles with the deep grief from the loss of his life partner. A grief he's pushing to the side as he deals with the injustices of British society.

It was shocking to learn that end of life care wasn't a safe place for gay people, and that after a lifetime of fighting Ted's partner suffers the humiliation of being targeted by the people are supposed to be looking after him just because of his sexuality.

I hope this film shines a bright light on this horrible issue and that Ted Brown's campaign is successful and he can finally rest knowing how much he's achieved.