Australian actress Katherine Langford says it's taken too long to bring a gay coming-of-age film to the big screen, but her new film, Love, Simon, is set to change that.
The star of hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why stars in the upcoming film which centres on the love-life of a gay teenager called Simon.
"This is the first major studio that's ever released a coming-of-age mainstream story about a gay teenage protagonist and we're wondering why has it taken us so long to have this kind of film," Langford told AAP in Sydney.
"I think, in many ways it's overdue, but on the other hand it's very timely because not only now is there that need but there's also a very vocal audience who are now demanding these kinds of stories and to be heard and to be represented."
The Perth actress shot to fame last year as the star of the Netflix show which dealt with serious issues including suicide and depression, and which also gave a very honest portrayal of high school students.
Now, again, the actress is aligned with an on-screen representation that better reflects the realities of teenage life.
"When I first read the script I saw the potential and I recognised that this was being told through a lens that it hadn't been told through," she said.
"For me, for a very long time even from my first job which was 13 Reasons Why, I've tried to be an ally of the LGBTQ community because for me it's something that I care very much about and it's just something that I've grown up with."
Langford was in Sydney on Monday to promote the film alongside its American star Nick Robinson, who plays Simon.
Robinson, at the age of 22, had decided not to take on any more high school-age roles until he saw the script for Love, Simon.
"I think this story was something that I didn't even realise was missing, that hadn't been told. And I sat down with Greg (Berlanti, the director) and he laid out his strategy for this movie and as we were making it I think we became aware of the need for a movie like this now, a movie with a very positive message of inclusion and acceptance and tolerance" Robinson told AAP.
* Love, Simon releases in Australian cinemas on Thursday, March 29
Australian Associated Press
