Elton John slams Vladimir Putin for liberalism is 'obsolete' comment, calls Russian President's words hypocritical

Putin had said that liberal ideas conflict with the 'overwhelming majority' in many countries.

Agencies
Vladimir Putin (R) had said that Russia has 'no problem with LGBT persons', but Elton John (L) pointed out that the film based on him 'Rocketman' was censored due to homosexual scenes.
NEW YORK: Elton John on Friday called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for saying that liberalism is "obsolete" and conflicts with the "overwhelming majority" in many countries.

In a story published by the Financial Times newspaper, Putin said "the liberal idea has become obsolete. It has come into conflict with the interests of the overwhelming majority of the population."

John said in a statement released Friday that he disagrees with Putin's "view that pursuing policies that embrace multicultural and sexual diversity are obsolete in our societies."


Putin also said Russia has "no problem with LGBT persons ... let everyone be happy" in the interview.

John called Putin's words hypocritical since a Russian distributor censored LGBTQ-related scenes from "Rocketman," the film based on John's life and career.

Some Gay & Lesbian Films That Left A Mark
1/10

Signalling winds of change, the Supreme Court on Thursday lifted a colonial-era ban on gay sex . A five-judge panel in the Supreme Court was unanimous in its decision to end the law, commonly known as "Section 377", that prohibits "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal".


As the country, and the world hails the move, here's a look at some gay and lesbian films that were endearing and left a lasting impression.

Signalling winds of change, the Supreme Court on Thursday lifted a colonial-era ban on gay sex . A five-judge panel in the Supreme Court was unanimous in its decision to end the law, commonly known a..
Read More

This 2005 film by Onir - who himself has been a vocal LGBTQ activist - was truly way ahead of its time. 'My Brother... Nikhil' treated homosexuality sensitively, minus ugly jokes or sexual innuendos. The gay relationship between Sanjay Suri and Purab Kohli was not designed to shock. With Juhi Chawla and Lillette Dubey in supporting cast, this film tried to do a "normal" act between homosexual lovers, emphasising on the regular couple behaviour.

This 2005 film by Onir - who himself has been a vocal LGBTQ activist - was truly way ahead of its time. 'My Brother... Nikhil' treated homosexuality sensitively, minus ugly jokes or sexual innuendos...
Read More

Sean Penn won the best actor Oscar in 2008 for his gritty depiction of Harvey Milk, an American activist who faces several difficulties while fighting for gay rights. Milk goes on to become California's first openly gay official elected to public office. Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Dustin Lance Black, the film also stars Josh Brolin as Dan White, a city supervisor who assassinated Milk. The film earned critical acclaim, and bagged numerous awards.

Sean Penn won the best actor Oscar in 2008 for his gritty depiction of Harvey Milk, an American activist who faces several difficulties while fighting for gay rights. Milk goes on to become Californi..
Read More

'Margarita with a Straw', directed by Shonali Bose, released in India in 2014. Kalki Koechlin played the role of an Indian teen with cerebral palsy who relocates to America for her studies. There she comes of age following her complex relationship with a blind girl, played by Sayani Gupta. Tamil actress Revathi, Kuljeet Singh, and William Moseley played supporting roles. Bose co-wrote the film along with Nilesh Maniyar.

'Margarita with a Straw', directed by Shonali Bose, released in India in 2014. Kalki Koechlin played the role of an Indian teen with cerebral palsy who relocates to America for her studies. There she..
Read More

The American romantic teen comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti released earlier this year. Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, it's sourced from Becky Albertalli's novel 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'. The film stars Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, and Jennifer Garner. It revolves around Simon Spier, a closeted gay high school boy who is forced to balance his friends, his family, and the blackmailer threatening to reveal his sexual identity to the entire school, while simultaneously attempting to discover the identity of the anonymous classmate with whom he has fallen in love online.

Critics praised the film that premiered at the 2018 Mardi Gras Film Fest for its "big heart, diverse and talented cast, and revolutionary normalcy". It also clocked $66.3 million worldwide at the box office.

The American romantic teen comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti released earlier this year. Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, it's sourced from Becky Albertalli's novel 'Simon vs...
Read More

Clint Eastwood's politico drama upset many former FBI agents when it released in 2011. And this was primarily because the film dropped ample hints of an abiding love between the FBI founder J Edgar Hoover and his aide Clyde Tolson. Leonardo DiCaprio played a vulnerable Hoover while Armie Hammer is his aide Tolson. Eastwood, in the director's seat, brought to life a man divided by the personal and the political, and tries to show a 20th-century titan who with secrets and bullets and subterfuge built a formidable information network.

Clint Eastwood's politico drama upset many former FBI agents when it released in 2011. And this was primarily because the film dropped ample hints of an abiding love between the FBI founder J Edgar H..
Read More
It was India's first film on homosexual love, and caused a huge uproar for bringing the 'taboo' subject to the big screen.

Deepa Mehta's 1996 film, starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, went viral at a time when there was no social media.

The film, telling the story of two sisters-in-law who fall in love with each other, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

It only opened in mainstream cinemas in the country in 1998.
It was India's first film on homosexual love, and caused a huge uproar for bringing the 'taboo' subject to the big screen. Deepa Mehta's 1996 film, starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, went viral ..
Read More

This 2015 drama directed by Todd Haynes tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer and an older woman going through a difficult divorce in 1950s New York. Based on the 1952 romance novel 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith, it stars Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, and Kyle Chandler.

This 2015 drama directed by Todd Haynes tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer and an older woman going through a difficult divorce in 1950s New York. Based on ..
Read More
Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film follows the journey of a seventeen-year-old and his affair with his father's 24-year-old graduate student, in 1980s Italy.

Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer deliver outstanding performances as the film beautifully manages to avoid the cliches about gay love.
Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film follows the journey of a seventeen-year-old and his affair with his father's 24-year-old graduate student, in 1980s Italy. Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer del..
Read More
A movie that way way ahead ot its time, 'Brokeback Mountain, till date remains on of Heath Ledger’s most celebrated performance.

The 2005 Ang Lee film, a beautiful adaptation of a short story written in 1997 by Annie Proulx, tells the story of a forbidden relationship between two cowboys - Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger.
A movie that way way ahead ot its time, 'Brokeback Mountain, till date remains on of Heath Ledger’s most celebrated performance. The 2005 Ang Lee film, a beautiful adaptation of a short story writt..
Read More

ADVERTISEMENT
Download
The Economic Times Business News App
for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
READ MORE
ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE:

LOGIN & CLAIM

50 TIMESPOINTS

More from our Partners

Loading next story
Business News › Magazines › Panache › Elton John slams Vladimir Putin for liberalism is 'obsolete' comment, calls Russian President's words hypocritical
Text Size:AAA
Success
This article has been saved

*

+