Ah I am so delighted to have stumbled upon your Substack, I feel seen in a way I have not been in years. I worked in a video store when this movie came out and we would put it on at the end of the night and blast it, dance, and covet all the glorious outfits. I too have probably seen it hundreds of times since those days. Just reading this post gives me goose pimples and reminds me of how much I craved and responded to the intensity in that film - sometimes I think I made it up but reading this I am reminded that Its good to feel of the feels -A piece of me is forever forged in that film. ❤️
Peaches! I'm so happy you found your way here, thank you so much for reading and commenting - "I feel seen in a way I have not been in years" is absolutely day-making feedback! Ta too for sharing your experience at the video shop - that sounds so atmospheric, joyful and formative. I feel forged by that film too, it's affirming to hear from others with parallel experiences and makes me want to get the glitter and platforms out! 💖
Oh, Jane, I love this! I could have written parts too! I spent so many early nights in our local video shop with my mates looking for horror films to terrify us (The original version of Dark Water did the trick!)
And so many nights spent watching Velvet Goldmine. 🖤 Desperately wanting to be a part of that world. “Do I fancy Brian Slade and Curt Wild or do I want to be them?” Brian Molko ❤️ And that soundtrack. 😍 What dreams are made of. We even had a 70s night where we dressed up and watched it. We’re weren’t as cool as you! 😂 I’ve never watched it sober but it’s waiting on my Netflix list.
Thank you so much for taking me back to a happy time. I wrote about memories this week for my newsletter next week and how I want to to remember the good memories more than the bad. This is a good one. Thank you, Jane. 🖤🌈❤️
Thank you so much for reading, Becky - and for this lovely response! Sounds like lots of parallels for us! ❤️
“Do I fancy Brian Slade and Curt Wild or do I want to be them?" is the PERFECT articulation of part of what made that film so magical; I was just saying to my partner how confusing it was to me in terms of both gender and sexuality, but that the film itself seems so much to be about permission to be outrageous, alternative, push limits, challenge norms, that that confusion had an excitement and intoxication to it too. Just so good, and really needed at that time for me, when everything felt so restrictive.
Thank you again for reading, looking forward to reading your memories newsletter too!
And yes, most definitely! Growing up in a tiny country town and being the bullied weird kid, things like Velvet Goldmine were an escape. A knowledge that there was more to this world than what some people would have us believe. A lot more colours to paint our lives with. And a lot of glitter. 🖤
Here's to permission! Here's to nostalgia. Here's to the evolutions of us.
Here's to the art that shapes us and never leaves us.
This piece is chef's kiss.
I've never heard of this film (sorry!) but I *need* to watch it.
HARD YES to all these things!
Thank you as ever for this beautiful feedback, you're lovely.
I believe Velvet Goldmine is on Netflix atm, hope I haven't spoilered anything but it's genuinely so bonkers you're in for a treat!
May every person, young and old, have permission to figure out who they are, and live it to the best!
Excellent piece
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, here's to that at any and all ages! 🙌
Ah I am so delighted to have stumbled upon your Substack, I feel seen in a way I have not been in years. I worked in a video store when this movie came out and we would put it on at the end of the night and blast it, dance, and covet all the glorious outfits. I too have probably seen it hundreds of times since those days. Just reading this post gives me goose pimples and reminds me of how much I craved and responded to the intensity in that film - sometimes I think I made it up but reading this I am reminded that Its good to feel of the feels -A piece of me is forever forged in that film. ❤️
Peaches! I'm so happy you found your way here, thank you so much for reading and commenting - "I feel seen in a way I have not been in years" is absolutely day-making feedback! Ta too for sharing your experience at the video shop - that sounds so atmospheric, joyful and formative. I feel forged by that film too, it's affirming to hear from others with parallel experiences and makes me want to get the glitter and platforms out! 💖
Thank you again 🙌
Oh, Jane, I love this! I could have written parts too! I spent so many early nights in our local video shop with my mates looking for horror films to terrify us (The original version of Dark Water did the trick!)
And so many nights spent watching Velvet Goldmine. 🖤 Desperately wanting to be a part of that world. “Do I fancy Brian Slade and Curt Wild or do I want to be them?” Brian Molko ❤️ And that soundtrack. 😍 What dreams are made of. We even had a 70s night where we dressed up and watched it. We’re weren’t as cool as you! 😂 I’ve never watched it sober but it’s waiting on my Netflix list.
Thank you so much for taking me back to a happy time. I wrote about memories this week for my newsletter next week and how I want to to remember the good memories more than the bad. This is a good one. Thank you, Jane. 🖤🌈❤️
Thank you so much for reading, Becky - and for this lovely response! Sounds like lots of parallels for us! ❤️
“Do I fancy Brian Slade and Curt Wild or do I want to be them?" is the PERFECT articulation of part of what made that film so magical; I was just saying to my partner how confusing it was to me in terms of both gender and sexuality, but that the film itself seems so much to be about permission to be outrageous, alternative, push limits, challenge norms, that that confusion had an excitement and intoxication to it too. Just so good, and really needed at that time for me, when everything felt so restrictive.
Thank you again for reading, looking forward to reading your memories newsletter too!
🖤
My pleasure, Jane. 🖤
And yes, most definitely! Growing up in a tiny country town and being the bullied weird kid, things like Velvet Goldmine were an escape. A knowledge that there was more to this world than what some people would have us believe. A lot more colours to paint our lives with. And a lot of glitter. 🖤
Velvet Goldmine is one of those films that I'm embarrassed to say I haven't seen!
You are not alone! But I hope I've maybe convinced you it's wild enough to give it a go...
The fact the Ewan McGregor is in it is enough tbh
It was a fun film.