In today’s political climate, making a gay-themed film in Russia is an incredibly brave act. Writer-director Vladimir Beck has done just that with I Am Not Afraid, a thoughtful coming-of-age short about a young man who is looking to muster up a little bravery of his own.
Illarion Marov stars in I Am Not Afraid as Misha, a quiet high school teen who tries to cover up his sensitivity with an air of aloofness. He’s been exploring his sexuality during sleepovers with Philip, his much more confident best friend played by Mark Eidelshtein.
When it becomes clear that Philip will be moving away to Germany with his family, it stirs up some deep emotions that Misha is not ready to face. Their seemingly strong friendship starts coming apart at the seams once Philip senses Misha’s turmoil, but is unable to get the truth out of him.
At a party where a female classmate starts showing some aggressive interest in Misha, everything comes to a head. Suddenly, Misha is forced to either show his true feelings in front of all of his classmates or openly betray the boy he secretly loves.
Packed with emotion and featuring tender performances from the two male leads, I Am Not Afraid is a heartfelt examination of young love as well as a rare glimpse into the way Russian teenagers feel about – and are affected by – LGBTQ+ issues.
Watch the trailer for I Am Not Afraid below. The short film is now streaming on Dekkoo.
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