Watch: Julianne Moore & Ellen Page star in stunning gay rights drama

Julianna Moore could be heading for Oscar glory once again in powerful new gay rights drama Freeheld, which now has its first full-length trailer.

Based on the true story of New Jersey couple Laurel Hester (Moore) and Stacie Andree (Ellen Page), the film recounts the pair’s battle for same-sex pension benefits in 2005 after Hester – a long-serving Police Lieutenant – was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Freeheld is directed by Peter Sollett and was written by Ron Nyswaner, who produced the screen play for 1993’s seminal AIDs drama Philadelphia. The movie boasts an outstanding supporting cast, including Steve Carrell as the founder of a New Jersey gay rights organisation and Michael Shannon as Laurel’s police partner, and is already being tipped for awards glory next year.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly last month, Page spoke of her joy at playing a lesbian role after coming out publicly last year.

“To be shooting the movie so soon after coming out was some of the most joy I’ve ever felt on a film set, which is a tricky thing to say because we’re telling a story that’s incredibly tragic,” she said.

“But the feeling of being out and playing someone who’s gay, and someone whose courage has allowed me to live my life, that feels amazing.”

The 28-year-old will also soon star as a lesbian marine serving in Iraq in new true story drama Lioness – click here to find out more.

Freeheld will be released to selected US cinemas on October 2, while a UK release date has yet to be confirmed. Watch the trailer below:

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