La Rumeur: Tragic homosexual drama by William Wyler shows prejudices

La Rumeur: Tragic homosexual drama by William Wyler shows prejudices

Celle, Deutschland - On July 19, 2025, the classic "La Rumeur" by William Wyler is in conversation, a film that made great waves over 60 years ago and suspects how far the topic of homosexuality is anchored in society. This film from 1961, in which the grandiose Audrey Hepburn and Shirley Maclaine take on the main roles, illuminates the difficulties with which queer people were confronted in the social climate at the time. According to allocine , the plot revolves around the two friends Karen and Martha, which leads to a private girls' board and due to rumors about their narrow relationship Experience social consequences.

At the center of history is the young girl Mary, who, as the granddaughter of an important supporter of the school, remains unpunished while she spreads dangerous rumors about the two women. These fictional accusations not only ruin their reputation, but also show the devastating effects of social prejudices and homophobia in the 1960s. The film impressively represents the moral conflicts of its time and is considered a cultural milestone in the development of the queer representation in the film.

a look into the past

The topic of "La Rumeur" is based on the play "The Children’s Hour" by Lillian Hellman, which was written in 1934. According to Paging Dr. Lesbian Inspired real events from the life of two Scottish teachers Hellman to address the breakup of life through rumors and the associated social prejudices. Wyler's film was not the first attempt to tell this story; As early as 1936, he adapted the piece to sexual orientation without the focus. In the 1961 version, the lesbian relationship remained unnamed, but was the emotional core of history.

The hidden and often stigmatized content show how significant the representation of queer issues was among the general public, especially at a time when homosexuality was still illegal. The tragic turn of the film, in which Martha admits that she is in love with Karen, and then commits suicide, makes the dark side of rumors and social pressure clear.

The development of the queer representation

In the 1960s, a movement began in which homosexuals occurred for their rights and gained increasingly public visibility. According to vangardist this was the time of "coming-out", which acted as a key term to overcome the oppression of the 1950s. However, the cinematic processing of homosexuality was often shaped by negative representations. "La Rumeur" stands out through his human perspective, which reflects the struggle of Karen and Martha.

The emerging political and social groups of that time help to ensure that queer people suddenly got a voice. The film not only shows the personal tragedy of the protagonists, but also takes a critical look at the company at the time, which often maintained regrettable social norms. The film “La Rumeur” remains available on Prime Video by July 31 and thus sets an important seminar stone to deal with the history and current challenges of queer identities.