I’ll be honest, I’m not usually a documentary fan- but I will definitely be going to see “Outrage”, directed by Kirby Dick. Described as “a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to”, Outrage was unveiled at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival and premiered on May 8 in five cities, including Washington D.C.

The documentary exposes the secret lives of closeted gay politicians who outwardly oppose gay rights. Focusing mostly on conservative Republicans, the film includes tell-alls from men who say they’ve had relationships with various Republican politicians, including Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Bush strategist Ken Mehlman and former Senator Larry Craig.

At first glance, the movie seems to be all about “outing” these people- but instead, it’s about exposing their hypocrisy in voting against gay rights while clearly engaging in homosexual behavior. In the film, Dick offers a severe reprimand to mainstream media for their lack of investigation into these politicians’ hypocrisy and double lives. In an interview with New York magazine, he indicates that the film explores “the issues surrounding closeted politicians and their hypocrisy in voting anti-gay – and how these people have harmed millions of Americans for many years. Hopefully this film will make its way up here to Canada as well- but definitely look for it in your city!

Director Kirby Dick is previously known for his Academy Award Nominated “Twist of Faith”, about the Catholic Church complicity in hiding sexual abuse by priests, and, most recently “This Film Is Not Yet Rated”, which is about the Motion Picture Association of America’s rating system.