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WATCH: Gay All-Stars Come Out for Imitation Game Campaign

WATCH: Gay All-Stars Come Out for Imitation Game Campaign

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An awards-season ad promoting the movie mixes history with blurbs from LGBT leaders and icons

An emotonally charged 60-second commercial presents a who's who of contemporary figures in gay and lesbian society, all talking about the tremendous impact of British code-breaker Alan Turing on our world and his prosecution and punishment for being gay.

CNN's Anderson Cooper talks about the "incredible story of injustice against a gay genius who cracked Nazi code in World War II, saving millions."

Bravo's Andy Cohen says, "There's no telling what more Alan Turing could've done for the world if homophobia didn't exist. He is one of the great unsung heroes of the twentieth century."

Even fashion designers Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors are quoted. "I only wish to see the day when all people use their energy to celebrate others for their differences rather than persecute them for it," says Jacobs. Kors adds, "Imagine if his differences were celebrated, how much more he would have accomplished."

What these megastars don't say is that their quotes are all part of an aggressive advertising campaign for the Weinstein Co. film The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Turing.

The film, which was produced by Black Bear Pictures and Bristol Automotive, has been nominated for five Golden Globe Awards including Best Picture, Best Motion Picture Actor in a Drama, Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Score. It was also included in the American Film Institute's top 11 films of the year and nominated for three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Nomination forms are due back at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences soon, and the Weinstein Co., as usual, is pulling out all the stops to snag Oscar nominations for this and its other films

The commercial, or featurette, as the Weinstein Co. calls it, uses actors Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley to tell Turing's story, but not in character; the blurbs from prominent gay and lesbian personalities are presented in between their soundbites and archival photographs of Turing and his times.

Also quoted in the campaign are the leaders of three of the biggest organizations in the world for gays and lesbians.

Rea Carey, executive director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, says, "In these days of what feels like rapid progress, Alan Turing's life reminds us that the struggle for self, for life and love remains one of humanities greatest challenges and accomplishments."

And Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin agrees: "As a community, LGBT people have our own family, our own stories, and our own heroes. Alan Turing is one of those heroes, and few have done more to save lives around the globe. He stood alone, against unimaginable odds."

Only GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis is quoted as mentioning the actual reason for the campaign, the film: "The Imitation Game is an incredible film that shows how hugely destructive an anti-LGBT culture can be, and an important historical perspective that preserves LGBT history."

Here is the featurette for The Imitation Game:

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