I found out earlier today about a new British film, due to shortly be completed. After '82 has been filmed over a period of three years and is close to completion. The film contains multiple interviews with people who were instrumental in highlighting the AIDS crisis in the UK in the 80's, people living with HIV, activists and campaigners today. Split into two halves, the first half of After 82 looks at the history behind the AIDS crisis, whilst the second half examines the situation today.Without wishing to be depressing or doom laden - After 82 has a lighter touch than you might expect from such subject matter - the film IS a wake up call that asks why is there still so much ignorance surrounding the topic and why is so little currently being done by the UK government?
News reaches me of a new little film project that's now doing the rounds of some film festivals. The official synopsis describes the film in the following intriguing terms:
'The Men's Room is an emotionally charged short film dealing with explicit themes of male sexuality, intimacy, and the concept of public decency. When Thomas ventures into a park for a sexual encounter with a stranger, he uncovers a striking complexity composed of desire, fear, and betrayal when his would-be anonymous sex partner turns out to be a cop. The Men's Room explores the seemingly unwelcome yet enduring pastime of public sex, a world of secrecy and code lurking just below the surface of normalcy.'
It's hard to judge from just the trailer- i'd certainly like to see the full film - but it does seem a bit arty/pained dry US drama of the type I've seen before. The conversation in cubicles scene didn't immediately ring true although I'd like to see how they get to that point. Moreover, it's fascinating to see that cottaging/tearooms can still be a key context in which to set a film. Quite what that means for defining the subject I'm not sure - and is another reason as to why the film will be worth watching.
Anyway, check out the trailer and see what you make of it.
I picked up on this project via the excellent blog The Sword (NSFW). In Their Room (2009-present) is an on-going multi-city documentary series about gay men, bedrooms and intimacy. The series veers into the bedrooms of men where you see them doing everything from the most banal to the sometimes more erotic. Complimenting the revealing nature of their everyday activities are confessional interviews about fantasies, turn-ons and vulnerabilities.
In the past, I've posted a few links to videos and films that address issues of sexuality - helping to provide a context for law and sexuality debates and issues. As we look towards a new term, here's a reminder of those posts for all those students who'll be starting law and sexuality at Sunderland this year or similar courses around the world. So, check out this previous post and this one for useful starting points.
James Franco, favourite of the liberal left, announced earlier in the week that he is going to make a documentary about the porn industry. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the star once shot a sex tape with his girlfriend, but was so disappointed with the result, he vowed never to make another one. The experience gave him a new respect for porn stars - because they really know how to sell sex.
Speaking on the US chat-show, Conan O'Brien he apparently said: "Those people in pornos, they are great performers; they're not just doing it, they're selling it to an audience. ... They're performing so that an audience can get turned on by that kinda thing.
"My girlfriend and I didn't know that, so it was just kinda like weird movement. ... It was really boring."
The Guardian took up the story yesterday, oddly describing it as the 'latest in a series of weird movements from Franco' (which sounds like a doctor monitoring an overactive bowel).
We'll see what the final film - if made- actually consists of but the positive porn angle that Franco seems to be going for is clearly unusual. Guardianistas would no doubt prefer a flat condemnation of pornography but Franco seems to recognise that some porn represents a skill - it's more than simply filming people having sex, there is an erotic performance an that is worthy of comment and analysis.
Michael Stabile has written an interesting blog piece on 'a smut encyclopedia of San Francisco', which looks very cool and you can check it out here. It comes as Stabile prepares to present an in-progress documentary at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts which chronicles San Francisco's reign as the center of porn production in the U.S. during the early 70s. In 1969, San Francisco became the first city in the U.S. to effectively legalize pornography, hugely boosting our reputation as a boomtown for sex, and eventually opening up the floodgates to the rest of the country.
You can watch a trailer below and if you're in San Francisco, check out the film on the 14th of July. Book tickets here. Yet again, I wished I lived in San Francisco or had the cash to commute at whim!
The Observer carried a story yesterday about the experiences of two gay refugees from Uganda, where policies of homophobic hatred are enshrined into law. That piece is worth reading in full. The story comes on the back of a new film project. In the wake of the brutal murder of renowned Ugandan LGBTI human rights activist, Mr. David Kato, and following growing concern over the practice of removing and deporting sexual and gender minority asylum claimants back to their home countries, UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG), Refugee Law Project and the wider Ugandan Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights & Constitutional Law, have produced a revealing documentary on the realities of lesbian, gay and trans asylum-seeking. It's called 'Getting Out'.
The first free London screening is now full but there's a second one one Friday 15 April at 7pm. It's being held at The Frontline Club, 13 Norfolk Place, London W2 1Q (nearest Tube is Paddington). You'll need to reserve your place by contacting the organisers via: admin@uklgig.org.uk
The May issue of Gay Times arrived this morning and it includes a two page spread (pp 10-11) with the headline 'Oh Brother'. It states: 'Taboos. They create controversy. We love a bit of controversy'. It then talks about the DVD From Beginning to End which tells the story of two brothers in love. It's a gay incest movie (the GT feature comprises of a short couple of paragraphs against two pages of full photos of the brothers kissing). The article doesn't tell you that it's Brazilian film (trailer below with subtitles) and it does seem a more complex them than the "look at two hot brothers making out" angle that GT has, perhaps inevitably, gone for.
Yet, the article reminds me of just how prevalent real and imagined incest is in gay porn. Gay guys have for years been open about being turned on by two brothers having sex. Typically (as in this film) those feelings developed in childhood (usually done as chatting back story in porn), teen fumblings and now the consensual scene the film-maker can show. It's an acceptance of incest (and often implicitly childhood incest encounters) that will seem bizarre, and perhaps even scandalous within wider straight society.
In a previous version of this post (I was having an off day I admit) I wrote that 'English criminal law is only concerned where one sibling is over 18 and the other isn't' in a criminal law context. This is wrong, as it does criminalise 'penetration' in S.64 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It goes beyond Scots law (or is at least clearer) (S1 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995) to clearly include oral sex as well as vaginal and anal sex. However, acts such as mutual masturbation do not seem to be covered. English civil law prevents siblings getting married or entering into a civil partnership so the law perhaps reflects some confused attitudes on this issue.
If you think I'm over-stating things, can we see GT featuring a "Man's Best Friend" double page spread of Frank and his long-time companion, a chocolate Labrador called Jack"? I don't think so. So, sure they like 'controversy', but only stuff that's actually pretty well accepted within the magazine's gay readership. So, are gay men freakishly weird in enjoying incest? Is it a reflection of desire over reality? Is it perhaps, a revelation of true desire shunned and denied by straight society? All questions worth reflecting upon. In the meantime, here's the trailer for From Beginning to End (Do Começo ao Fim)...
With the Christmas break looming, I thought I'd post some film and TV suggestions for students and indeed anyone interested in sexuality, to look at over the break. The films are a mix of those that provide background to issues discussed on my course, or films that address a specific topics that the module addresses. I'm sure I've missed many worthy titles off, so please feel free to post your suggestions in 'comments' at the bottom of this post.
*UPDATE* I've now added a trailer link where available - just click the film title.
Lip Service might be proving a bit disappointing (is it just me?) but Hollywood has a new lesbian film starring Julianne Moore. It's called 'The Kids Re Alright' - read a full review here. Check out the trailer below.
It's rare I go to the cinema. Don't get me wrong, the sound, the big screen, love it. On the other hand, the head in front of me, the rustling in sweet packets, the sipping of drinks, the chatter between folks all really really annoys me. Yes, I am boring like that. Anyway, following the BAFTA success of A Single Man I felt the need to take myself off to see it. Only trouble seems to be that the wonderful cinemas of the North East seem reluctant to show it. I know for those journalists and commentators largely based in a London metropolitan bubble this will seem odd, but here's the thing - worthy films about homos aren't everywhere. A Single Man is a worthy film (an Isherwood book) about homos. It's also brilliantly written, brilliantly cast and filmed/directed. But apparently North East cinemas don't get past the first bit. Then again, that's probably based on what they expect to be an audience reaction/demand and so it's all the more revealing that few are showing it. In the Tyne and Wear region, just one cinema, the small art house Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle is showing it. So off I trotted.
Well what a stonker of a film. First off this is a 'here and queer' film. The opening scene invovles a touching guy on guy kiss - and there are quite a few after, along with the sight of Nicholas Hoult's bum. For me, as a non-film expert, I was struck by two things - the use of colour throughout - lightening and darkening or becoming bland to convey emotions and secondly, the use of eyes throughout the film. Colin Firth is perfectly cast as the central character. Nicholas Hoult is similarly brilliantly cast as the tempting student. You have to believe in the attraction and you do with Hoult. They light him - especially his eyes - to reveal the most wonderfully blue eyes (see screen shot on the right). As I sat watching, I thought you could almost dive into them - a feeling that Firth's character was almost certainly having. As I sat watching, I was reminded of one of my favourite songs - 'Sometimes' by James which has the wonderful line: 'Sometimes, when I look deep in your eyes, I swear I can see your soul'. Many of us can think of those intimate moments with a lover and that irresistible gateway to the soul.
Hoult also possesses the most amazing lips. Go on, watch it and look at them. They beckon, they tempt. It's quite wonderful.
Similarly, Jon Kortajarena as the rent boy Carlos is just amazingly beautiful but also able to convey a smouldering sense of desire. On a basic level, these portrayals make Firth's performance all the more believable.
The most striking feature of this film is it's a powerful gay love story. When we see George (Firth) find out about the death of Jim, his lover, we are reminded about the denial and tension around sexuality that still exists today. It reminds us about the importance of partnership and marriage rights for those who want them. When we hear from a neighbours kid, that their father thinks George is gay and ought to be killed, we are again reminded of small town homophobia - not helped by small towns not even showing films such as this.
Love story it certainly is. Unashamedly gay love story it is also. Yet, the media coverage has not been to focus on the sexuality aspect. I can't yet decide whether that is a good thing or not. All I did know as I exited the building and into the cold air of Newcastle was that I didn't half fancy a drink and a packet of Lucky Strike cigarettes - subliminal advertising seemed bizarrely to have worked.
I found out earlier today about a new British film, due to shortly be completed. After '82 has been filmed over a period of three years and is close to completion. The film contains multiple interviews with people who were instrumental in highlighting the AIDS crisis in the UK in the 80's, people living with HIV, activists and campaigners today. Split into two halves, the first half of After 82 looks at the history behind the AIDS crisis, whilst the second half examines the situation today.Without wishing to be depressing or doom laden - After 82 has a lighter touch than you might expect from such subject matter - the film IS a wake up call that asks why is there still so much ignorance surrounding the topic and why is so little currently being done by the UK government?
