Ernest and Bertram

Ernest and Bertram
Directed by	Peter Spears
Screenplay by	Peter Spears and TC Smith
Based on	Sesame Street, The Children's Hour
Produced by	Peter Spears
Starring	Rob Helms TC Smith Philip Pavel (voice) Quinton Flynn (voice)
Cinematography	Aaron Barnes, Thomas Richter
Edited by	Steven Friedland
Release date	2002 (2002)
Running time	8 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Ernest & Bertram is a 2002 tragic comedy short film written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker and actor Peter Spears. The film spoofs Sesame Street characters Ernie and Bert. The film is based on Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour and depicts Bert and Ernie after they are outed by Variety magazine. Although the film was a success at the Sundance Film Festival and the U.S Comedy Arts Festival, it kept from further distribution when Sesame Workshop served the film's producers with a cease and desist order for copyright violation.^[1]

Synopsis

When the film starts, Miss Piggy has discontinued a romantic relationship with Bert when rumors of the roommates being gay hit the media. After Ernie arrives home, the two converse, and upon learning of the break-up, reveals that he does love Bert "that way". Bert seems not to share this sentiment, resulting in Ernie's suicide.

References

1. Goodridge, Michael (July 23, 2002), "The best films you can't see: Ernest & Bertram is the latest in a series of acclaimed queer films banned from public view because their makers stepped on some famous toes", The Advocate

External links

• Ernest and Bertram at IMDb
• Video on YouTube