Author: kcousins

Former lovers reconnect after a long time apart in the thought-provoking drama ‘The Writer’

The second film in a planned trilogy from prolific Lithuanian writer-director Romas Zabarauskas, The Writer follows two former lovers who reconnect later in life.

Lithuanian-American Kostas and Russian-Lithuanian Dima reconnect in New York decades after serving together in the Soviet Army. They fell in love back in the 1980s – and Dima soon joined Kostas in moving from Russia to Lithuania. But as Lithuania gained independence in the 1990s, Kostas left to study in New York, leaving Dima behind.

Kostas, now an established author, has published a book based on their romance and separation. Upon reading it, Dima pays a visit, eager to correct a few key facts.

A tender and bittersweet romantic drama, featuring impressive lead performances from veteran New York theatre actors Jamie Day and Bruce Ross, The Writer offers up a testament to the power of self-expression and the resilience of first love.

Watch the trailer for The Writer below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo. And though it isn’t connected narratively, you can check out The Lawyer, the first film of the director’s new trilogy, which is also available now.

An elderly man revisits a lost love in the profoundly emotional short film ‘Wayne’

Romance, memory, nostalgia and bravery all intermingle in Wayne, a profoundly emotionally 9-minute film from writer-director Mario Galarreta.

The title character (played at different ages by both Stu Klitsner and Ross Neuenfeldt) is an elderly farmer who is suffering from dementia and nearing the end of his life. Though he’s cared for by his wife Louise (Martha Milton Stookey), he can’t seem to remember who she is.

Wayne’s thoughts take him back to a specific time in his youth, when he fell into forbidden love with a ranch hand named Ron (Jeremy Kahn). In his mind, they’re still playfully wrestling around on the floor of the barn before staring longingly into one another’s eyes. Just as they’re about to kiss, however, he’s snapped back into the present.

In the middle of the night, desperate to reconnect, Wayne decides to make one last trip out to the barn in search of his lost love.

Watch a short teaser trailer for Wayne below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Director David Lewis returns with ‘All Kinds of Love,’ a romantic gay comedy about starting over

David Lewis, the director behind Longhorns, Ranchlands, Rock Haven, Redwoods and Under One Roof, reunites with his frequent leading man Matthew Montgomery for the charming rom-com All Kinds of Love.

Set in Northern California in 2015, against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s upholding of Marriage Equality, All Kinds of Love follows a long-term gay couple who are getting divorced just as everyone else is seemingly getting married.

Montgomery plays Max, a gay man who tries to start over after getting dumped by his commitment-phobic husband. While his ex (played by Montgomery’s real-life husband Steve Callahan) starts to spread his wings by exploring non-monogamy and all sorts of new kinks, Max is still very much stuck in his old ways.

When he becomes accidental roommates with Conrad (Cody Duke), a much younger, but emotionally mature programmer, he learns that, despite their age difference, they have similar worldviews. Their chance encounter soon blossoms into something much deeper, threatening to shake Max loose from his carefully constructed shell.

Funny, sexy and refreshingly light-hearted, All Kinds of Love is a feel-good comedy about a loveable group of people who are finally learning to follow their hearts.

Watch the trailer for All Kinds of Love below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Last call invites unexpected romance in the stylish and sexy short film ‘Velvet’

It’s finally last call after a slow night at the bar. Marcus (Chris Jehnert), a shy twink expecting a first date, has been sitting alone after being stood up.

His cute, pouty face has caught the attention of Ben (Achilles Mulkey), a charming transgender bartender dressed like a king with a robe, scepter and crown.

Once the two are alone, Ben uses his considerable charm and positive attitude to coax Marcus out of his shell. The two share an unexpectedly special night together – filled with lust, dancing, romance, and the sharing of sweet childhood memories. But will they meet again? Only the velvet robe knows for sure.

From co-directors Juliana Antoninus and Damon Beirne, Velvet is a heartfelt 10-minute short film about two people who, however briefly, become the kings of one another’s worlds.

Watch the trailer for Velvet below. The short film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Two young men from different backgrounds come together in the sexy Italian romance ‘Empty’

Italian writer-director Giovanni Carpanzano’s feature-length debut, Empty follows two incredibly handsome young men in love who come from different worlds.

Giorgio (Gianluca Galati) is the first-born son of a wealthy and prominent Italian lawyer. Marco (Kevin Di Sole) comes from a much more modest family and has been struggling to emancipate himself from his small provincial town.

Both young men dream of an overwhelming love and above all to emerge from their current circumstances into something greater. The powerful force that attracts them to one another will also fuel them in their fight to stay together.

Sexy, thought-provoking and deeply emotional, Empty examines two lovers at a crossroads and the overwhelming and unexpected love that pushes them.

Watch the trailer for Empty below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Muffy Blake Stephyns slays D.C. in the illuminating documentary ‘Queen of the Capital’

Bureaucrat by day and drag queen crusader by night, Muffy Blake Stephyns has high aspirations.

Muffy and her everyday persona, Daniel, must navigate her bureaucratic day job at the Department of Labor in Washington, DC, all while balancing her role in the Imperial Court of Washington DC, a philanthropic organization full of drag queens, drag kings and other vibrant performers.

Every year, the court elects an emperor and an empress. Drawing on experience as a former political consultant, Muffy spends a year campaigning for the title.

Documentary filmmaker Josh Davidsburg follows all of the action in the feature-length film Queen of the Capital, illuminating the thriving Washington D.C. drag scene and exploring the story of one individual on a colorful crusade for the community at large – who also finds time to be funny as hell along the way.

Watch the trailer for Queen of the Capital below. The full documentary is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Short Film Spotlight: Conditional Desire

Tunisian director Houcem Slouli’s award-winning 15-minute short film Conditional Desire follows Ahmed and Salma (Slim Dhib and Imene Ghazouani) , two young gay adults who, despite residing in a society that values conformity, strive to remain honest with themselves.

Unfortunately, they find that they must grapple with a heart-wrenching psychological burden as they sacrifice their happiness to meet the expectations of others.

Having found one another, they married for convenience – seeking the freedom to pursue their passions while masquerading as a heterosexual couple.

With secret lovers representing their true identities, they navigate emotional challenges, questioning the sacrifices they’re forced to make to preserve their secret.

A stirring short drama, Conditional Desire explores identity, love and the effort it takes to stay true in a deeply restrictive world.

Watch the trailer for Conditional Desire below. The short film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Prepare to be smitten with the charming new coming-of-age comedy ‘Big Boys’

A teen boy’s unexpected crush leads to a weekend of self-discovery in Big Boys, a relentlessly charming and deeply relatable new coming-of-age comedy from writer-director Corey Sherman.

Isaac Krasner stars as Jamie, a young man who finds his dream camping trip ruined, before it even begins, when he learns that his cousin will be bringing along her new boyfriend.

His initial jealousy of Dan, the boyfriend in question (played by David Johnson III), quickly turns into a friendship, however, as the pair bond over their love of cooking and games. It also doesn’t hurt that they both happen to be ‘big boys.’

As the weekend progresses, Jamie wants nothing more than to spend more time with Dan. As his burgeoning crush gets him into awkward scrapes and arguments, Jamie finally begins to come to terms with who he is – and who he desires.

The winner of last year’s Audience Award at Outfest Los Angeles, Big Boys is a hilarious and heartwarming crowd-pleaser. We can’t recommend it more highly.

Watch the trailer for Big Boys below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Short Film Spotlight: (Un)Free Will

Prepare to have your spirits lifted thanks to the 24-minute comedy short (Un)Free Will.

In the world of the film, gay men are guided by forces stronger then themselves – namely, gay guardian angels!

Before he leaves for a two-week trip, Hunter (Gavyn Michaels) shows up to meet with his dog-sitter Alex (Ross Hutter). Despite their differences, there is an undeniable spark between the two young men. The only problem is that their unseen guardian angels (Brent Roberts and Derek DeVault) have a complicated history. When they’re not meddling in the affairs of their subjects, they’re bickering with one another.

Can these two lost souls put their personal differences aside in the name of good old fashioned human love? From writer/director Robby Kendall, (Un)Free Will is a clever anti-rom-com about learning to love yourself… even if it takes some divine intervention.

Watch a short trailer for (Un)Free Will below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Philip Embury wrote, directed and stars in the witty culture clash comedy ‘What My Love is For’

What My Love is For follows Philip (played by screenwriter and co-director Philip Embury), a young gay writer who is stuck living a farm boy’s life with his mother and dopey older brother in rural Virginia.

His whole world is turned upside down when he learns that his beloved great grandmother has died. The good news is that she bequeathed him her summer house in East Hampton. The bad news is that there’s still a considerable debt owed to the bank.

With his witty best friend Katie (Bianca Rutigliano) and his hillbilly brother Dougie (David Maloney) in tow, Philip heads to the Hamptons, where he quickly falls in love with the crumbling beach house.

While crashing a fancy party in search of cash, he also starts catching feelings for Hunter (Marshall Taylor Thurman), a handsome young artist whose mission is to land a wealthy older boyfriend to fund his lifestyle. With time running out to save the house, Philip considers doing the same. He soon has to decide whether saving the house is worth selling himself.

With an incredibly charming cast and whip-smart writing, What My Love is For tells a heartfelt and deeply funny story about love, family and finding the true meaning of home.

Watch the trailer for What My Love is For below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.