Big Eden, one of the most beloved gay films of all time, was re-released by Wolfe Video on VOD and Blu-Ray Oct. 13 in celebration of its 15th Anniversary. Thomas Bezucha’s classic film has been newly restored to HD with a fresh digital transfer from the original 35mm negative, and is being released on Blu-ray for the first time, as well as the first HD transfer VOD version.
Appearing on numerous top LGBT movie lists since its wildly popular debut in 2000, Big Eden stars Arye Gross as Henry Hart, a thirty-something gay artist living in New York City who returns to his Montana hometown of Big Eden to visit his ailing grandfather, Sam (George Coe). Henry has never actually come out to Grandpa Sam, and as he grapples with his own process of self-acceptance he also continues to pine over handsome Dean Stewart, his straight crush from high school (Tim DeKay, “White Collar”). As the town’s general store proprietor Pike Dexter (Eric Schweig, “Blackstone”) begins to fall for Henry, the people of Big Eden rise to the occasion to play cupid.
Big Eden features a tremendous supporting cast, including Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”) as the town schoolteacher Grace, and such esteemed character actors as Nan Martin, O’Neal Compton, Corinne Bohrer and Veanne Cox.
Big Eden took home Best Film awards from all of the top LGBT film festivals including Outfest and Frameline, as well as being nominated for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film in Limited Release.
This collector’s edition Blu-ray includes a new bonus feature, “Remembering Big Eden” which features intimate interviews with the film’s cast and crew reflecting on the Big Eden’s legacy and impact as well as sharing their memories of the production and release.