Skip to main content

Boys On Film 8: Cruel Britannia

This new and latest edition of Boys On Film introduces you to the queer and wonderful world of new British cinema. From the cliffs of the Isle of Wight to an abandoned swimming pool via a broken down lift in Lambeth, Peccadillo Pictures presents an eclectic mix of ten UK-set short films from scorching new British talent that depict LGBT characters in situations both funny and heart-rending, definitive and unique.

I Don’t Care
In the tumbleweed coastal retirement community of Porthpunnet, Luka cares for his bedridden mother. One day he meets Dan, a young manwho lives in a camper van and shares his interest in art. Initially he sees Dan as a kindred spirit until Dan proves to be gay. This film could have been much more interesting but I think a lame ending was the fault.

Downing
Amidst a vibrant house party, John, the isolated local gay lad, finds an opportunityto exact revenge on his straight oppressor, the popular and handsome Daniel. Boykisses boy, drinking, fucking and regret: just another teenage party. This film was great. I loved it for a short film.

All Over Brazil
It's the summer of 1974 and Scotland face Yugoslavia in the group stage of the football World Cup. But Stephen seems more interested inthe world of Glam Rock than football. His father initially despises him and come around very soon. I loved the end when the father welcomes his sons d daughter home with some breakfast.

Man and Boy
A man invites a boy into his flat and offers to take pictures of him. But he does that because the boy literally forces himself on him asking for cigarette. To most this would seem suspicious in the extreme, to the few it is an innocent offer of friendship. Which way do you see it? Very very interesting take.

Diana
On the day after the Princess of Wales’ death Mohit, an Indian pre-op transsexual,goes on an emotional journey set against the backdrop of a day that shocked anation. He remembers how his family had shunned him and for them, he is still dead.

We Once Were Tide
Read Here We Were Once Tide

Spring
Read Here Spring

The Chef’s Letter
In the early morning hours, a chef struggles to write the letter that could overturn his ordered life. Entering his kitchen, he struggles to make abeeline for his sous-chef. I was al title confused by this film and what it was trying to say.

What You Looking At?
Two very different people in the London borough of Lambeth - a drag queen and a woman in a burka. Only in a lift would they ever crosseach another’s path. But these two have more in common than they first thought.

Nightswimming
Runaways Luke and Ellen are caught breaking into a swimming facility as they only want a warm place to sleep. The watchman lets them stay onthe proviso that they don't break anything, and so begins an emotionally charged situation between the trio.

Brillaint collection. I am in love with Boys on the Film series. (6.5/10)

Comments

ILHiker said…
I noticed this when leaving my comment on "Breaking Fast" and clicked to see your thoughts on "We Once Were Tide." Unfortunately you link to that from here and it's no longer around. I re-watched it once, but I think that may be the lats time as it's just so emotionally devastating to see, and even worse when you know how it ends. In addition, between my first viewing and the second, I went through my own again parent experiences. I think Speedwalking (Racewalking?) is the only other movie that really hits me so hard.
Golu said…
Thank y ou fo repotting out about the link. I will fix that. "We Once Were Tide" is definitely a an amazing film and if you draw parallels inyuour life, it hits u ever harder.
I don't think I have seen Speedwalking. You recommend?
Illinois John said…
Yes, I recommend highly. Though it's a Danish movie, it is evocative of the 1970s in which I grew up. The lead character is really put through the wringer though, and there are some truly heart-wrenching scenes. I'd be really interested in your perception of the end. Were it an actual 70s movie I would interpret it as somewhat positive and optimisitic, but it leaves me feeling down. I'm wondering if that might be more because of what I bring to the movie and not what the director and writer put into it and am very curious about another point of view.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3360038/

As long as I"m here, I can't say it's great art, but there's a cute short movie on youtube "Atraccion" by Oscar Kid from Chile. I had seen it about a year ago when looking for Spanish language films to practice learning the language. I went back to rewatch it and saw it now had English subtitles. I thought I would post in hope the young director would get some more views and be encouraged to make more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PugsnBRfQso
Golu said…
I finally saw Atraccion. It was quite interesting given students made it
ILHiker said…
Glad you found it interesting, and that you posted it in one of your short movie lists. Sometimes I go on long tears watching gay-themed short movies on Youtube or VImeo. There are lots of good ones out there and its fun, especially when they're young directors, seeing if they go on to do more. I wonder sometimes what it would have been like to grow up in a world with so many portrayals of gay men. Billy Crystal on Soap was the only one I recall seeing growing up in the 70s, and though I knew I was attracted to guys I also knew I wasn't like his character. I've been keeping an eye out for Spanish language films, especially Central and South America, as I work on becoming fluent. I see your reviews go up and I don't think I"ll ever make a great dent in the body of gay cinema. It's nice to know there's a lot out there for me to see though. I've only watched a few Asian films, and there's an entire universe there.
Golu said…
oh trust me my friend, I myself had no idea about the plethora of gay films out there and the more I watch, they keep coming with even more force. I will never ever be able to catch up. When I was relatively younger, I would think that I will be glad if I can find 100 isa gay films/shows. And now, on my blog itself, I have reviewed 2000 plus titles and they never seem to end.

Its CRAZY and I love it :)

Popular posts from this blog

The Shortest Distance is Round 3: Fallen Flowers

Continuing with the weird trilogy of "The Shortest Distance", I am so glad that finally I am done with part 3 and won't have to deal with this again in future. Thankfully, as of now the makers have not announced any further parts; which will save all of us on this earth from the embarrassment of watching this in near future. After the first 10 minutes are used in sort of recapping bits of first two parts, the story moves forward. Haruto is now starting to have feelings for Ruka, the mysterious pole dancer from second part. In a fit of rage, Ruka ends up killing the goat man and to save him and Haruto, Shibahara asks them to go underground. Meanwhile Shibahara continues the search for Seiya (the guy who had cut off Haruto's penis). It turns out Seiya is now also taking care of the original club owner from part 1. Both of them were released after they had informed Shibahara of Aoyama's secret location. Shibahara tortures Seiya's boyfriend leading to Seiya killin

One Summer Night (Korean)

I really wanted to like this film but for non native speakers, these movie leaves a lot to be understood and the way scenes were unfolding in front of me, I wasn't sure many times what was really going on. The story had potential button getting any back story on any of the characters limited my ability to empathize with any of these actors. Film starts with two North Korea military guys Yong Joon and Jae Sung having sex and they are caught red handed and they run. Three years later we see Yong Joon in Seoul leading a very mundane and poor life. He has a boyfriend Tae-Kyu, who is a weird guy. He is carefree, doesn't do any work and is completely emotional and financially dependent on Young Joon. In fact, even Yong Joon will go to any lengths to protect him , fend for him and taking care of him to the extent of even taking up prostitution. Suddenly one day Jae Sung appears in their life again. His motivation is not clear but it is obvious he wants Yong Joon back in his life, who

Ultimate masturbation: Shigoki no yama (Japanese) [The Ultimate Masturbation]

I would never know what was the point behind making this film. Was it supposed to be a comedy, cos it wasn't. It wasn't even porn. It was just a silly attempt at making something absolutely senseless and ridiculous. The story, as well as direction is equally shoddy. You could laugh for having seen something so bad, but I wouldn't call that comedy. An old man runs a camp about gay masturbation. The explanation given is that gays masturbate for pleasure unlike straight men, for whom the act is seen as shame or because they can't find a woman. One day a straight man shows up and wants to join the camp for his thesis. After discussion, he is allowed in. Rules include that you can masturbate together, you can masturbate one another, but there is no fellatio or anal sex. Some students of course breaks rule. The teacher then talks about 2 forms of masturbation which gives ultimate pleasure. He shows one without touching and then refuses to talk of the other. Somehow suddenly,