It’s time for a saucy double feature. The podcast episode takes on the themes and cultural impact of the films Klute and Cruising. Klute, a crime thriller released in 1971, centers around the investigation into a missing person case led by detective John Klute, played by Donald Sutherland. Alongside the mystery, the film explores themes of sexuality, gender roles, and power dynamics in relationships. Cruising, released in 1980, follows the story of a detective, played by Al Pacino, who goes undercover in the gay leather scene to solve a string of murders. The film sparked controversy and backlash for its portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community and themes of sexual fetishization and violence. The episode will explore the ways in which these films address and potentially reinforce or challenge societal attitudes towards gender and sexuality at the time of their release and in the present day.
