Category: Classic

DEKKOO DISPATCH 020 – ‘WE ARE ANIMALS’ AND ‘ANOTHER GAY MOVIE’

Title – ‘We Are Animals‘

Director – Dominic Haxton

Starring – Daniel Landroche, Clint Napier, Drew Droege, George Alvarez

Release Date – June 28, 2013

Title – ‘Another Gay Movie‘

Director – Todd Stephens

Starring – Michael Carbonaro, Jonathan Chase, Jonah Blechman, Mitch Morris

Release Date – May 3, 2007

______________________

Heya Dekkoo-ers! Hope you’ve all been having a good week. Mine started off great via a Facebook Live stream of the annual Naval Academy freshman graduation ceremony where they attempt to climb a greased up monument shirtless. You can’t take your eyes off the struggle!

This week I want to continue the sexy vibes with two visually inventive and wild films starting with ‘We Are Animals‘.

The short film by director Dominic Haxton (we’ll be introducing you to many of his great short works in the next weeks) takes place in a dystopian future society where HIV positive citizens have been quarantined from the rest of society and given pills that keep their libidos in check. The main character has reluctantly joined with the oppressive government not so dissimilar to the Jews that helped out in the concentration camps, but once he meets a sexy member of the opposition his allegiance starts to shift.

I really love how this short film is able to set-up so much mood and world-building in such a short amount of time. Of course it really helps that the two main characters have such an sexy and radical rapport that deals with sexual confidence, the oppressed conquering the oppressor, and releasing the inner animal. A little ultra-violence also goes a long way too! Oh and a Drew Droege cameo is always hawt.

After the climactic ending to ‘Animals’ it’s time for a Gay Classic! When Todd Stephens made ‘Gypsy 83’, the follow-up to the honest and charming ‘Edge of Seventeen’, he encountered film distributors and executives saying either ‘It’s too gay!’ or ‘It’s not gay enough!’. Todd had so much difficulty with the film that he decided that he was going to
make the gayest film ever! Enter ‘Another Gay Movie‘. Todd Stephen’s answer to straight raunchy pics like ‘American Pie’ and ‘Porky’s’ turned out to be a massive hit. It turns out that gay people were dying for a film that tossed the typical gay coming-of-age plot-line out the window and embraced a more gross and wild narrative that felt like the ‘R’-Rated movies that straight people got to see all the time.

It also helps that the movie followed an adorable group of graduating high school seniors that decided they need to lose their virginity by the end of the summer. There’s Andy – your typical awkward everyman that has an obsession with sticking stuff up his butt. Jarrod – the jock of the group who claims he’s a total top and has some insecurities. Nico – the ‘leading lady’ of the group who’s always able to cheer everyone up and Griff – the nerd of the group that logically tries to get laid. Of course there are so many hilarious side-characters and cameos. A few highlights: Graham Norton as Mr. Puckov, Scott Thompson (‘The Kids in the Hall’) as Andy’s dad, Daryl Stephens as a hot go-go boy, and Richard Hatch as Richard Hatch.

______________________

Watch ’em with: Your friends who appreciate gross humor

Mix ’em with: 420 Apple Martinis

______________________

 

DEKKOO DISPATCH 013 – ‘THE CONSEQUENCE’

Title – ‘The Consequence‘

Director – Wolfgang Petersen

Starring – Jurgen Prochnow, Ernst Hannawald, Werner Schwuchow, Hans-Michael Rehberg

Release Date – December 2, 1977

_______________________________________

It’s time for a deep cut from the vaults! ‘The Consequence‘ (Die Konsequenz) is a film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, famous for directing films such as: ‘Das Boot’, ‘Air Force One’, ‘The Perfect Storm’, ‘Troy’ and one of my all time favorite films: ‘The Neverending Story’ (cue Limahl!).

‘The Consequence‘ was a radical film for Western Germany at the time. A story involving two completely open homosexuals (and dealing with underage sex between men) was something unique at the time and even caused a Bavarian television station to completely halt their transmission of it in 1977. The film stars long-time Petersen collaborator Jurgen Prochnow (‘Das Boot’, ‘Dune’) as Martin, a convicted homosexual facing 2 1/2 years in jail for his relationship with a 15-year-old. While in jail he meets
one of the guard’s sons, Tomas, whom he immediately forms a bond with. After Tomas and Martin spend a night together in the prison they fall madly in love and consequently their relationship in the movie matures over the span of several years mostly involving waiting for each other to leave various prisons and reformatories. It’s an epic in the best way possible and lovingly tended to by both the director and the actors who throw themselves into the creation inspired by Swiss writer Alexander Ziegler who had to live through many of these same trials.

Ultimately I can’t promise an extremely happy ending, but I can promise a journey that is well worth it. By the end you’ll feel like you’ve watched both of these characters grow up and learn some hard facts of life. Der Speigel said, ‘it is, above all, a natural love story in black and white – one of the most private and credible to have been seen on the screen in a long time.’

Oh and just a heads up: You’ll notice that the subtitles are a little hard to read in places, but currently this is the only available element that has English subtitles.

_______________________________________

Watch it with: A friend who appreciates historical queer
cinema.

Mix it with: A good bottle of German wine.

_______________________________________

Coming next week: A sexy romantic comedy from
the director of ‘eCupid‘ and ‘Is it Just Me?‘

‘Queer As Folk’ is now available on Dekkoo!

We’re thrilled to announce the original two seasons of ‘Queer As Folk‘ are now available in the Dekkoo library

This UK series originally aired between 1999 and 2000. It starred Aiden Gillen (Game of Thrones, The Wire) and a young, baby-faced Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy). The show was such a success that it went on to inspire the American remake. However, many feel the original was the better of the two and we tend to agree. The series follows a colorful and lively group of friends at the heart of Manchester’s gay club scene as they forge their ways in a straight world.

Considered controversial due to the sexual relationship between 29-year old Stuart (Aiden Gillen) and 15-year old Nathan (Charlie Hunnam), ‘Queer As Folk‘ remains a truly ground-breaking gay series.

‘Queer As Folk’ is available to binge-watch now on Dekkoo!

 

DEKKOO DISPATCH 008 – ‘THE BUBBLE’

Title – ‘The Bubble‘

Director – Eytan Fox

Starring – Ohad Knoller, Yousef Sweid, Daniela Virtzer, Alon Friedman

Release Date – September 7, 2007

_________________________________

Alright last week was light and sexy. This week I’d like to challenge you to watch a film that has more than shirtless boys at the center of its conflict (although they are present, don’t worry). For years conflict has plagued the Middle East, but throughout all of it there’s always been a strong spirit of life from the people that live there. No other film shows the intensity of the spirit of fun and being yourself throughout conflict than ‘The Bubble‘.

Eytan Fox (who also helmed the classic films ‘Yossi & Jagger’ and ‘Yossi’) returns to show the story of three best friends living in Tel Aviv together whose lives are changed forever by the presence of Ashraf, a Palestinian. Noam, a handsome Israeli soldier, falls head over heels for Ashraf and decides to conceal him in their bohemian apartment. He manages to get him a job and even bring him to parties. But eventually he’s recognized as a Palestinian and the pressure of his past family life threatens everyone.

The movie completely succeeds in both its portrait of youth living in the city of Tel Aviv (the gayest and most liberal city in Israel), but also its depiction of the angst that lies deep within the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Don’t expect a happy ending, but also don’t expect an entirely hopeless ending. Wars can end, but they only end when we all embrace each other and come to understand each other.

________________________________

Watch it with: Anyone who hasn’t seen this gay classic! Especially
someone who’s a bit clueless about the Middle East.

Mix it with: Manischewitz wine and hummus!

________________________________

 

DEKKOO DISPATCH 002 – ‘EATING OUT’

Title: Eating Out

Director – Q. Allan Brocka

Starring – Scott Lunsford, Jim Verraros, Emily Stiles, Ryan Carnes

Release Date – February 14, 2004

_____________________________________________________

Q. Allan Brocka is known for writing and directing some of the funniest and sexiest gay cinema in the 2000’s. From ‘Boy Culture‘ to ‘Rick and Steve the Happiest Gay Couple in All the World’ he’s managed to bridge the divide between low-budget film making and a damn funny movie.

He got his big break in 2004 with the now-classic camp comedy ‘Eating Out‘ which went on to become a gay franchise with four sequels! Four! How many other gay films have had that honor? I can’t think of any. Don’t worry, they will all be arriving on Dekkoo in the coming weeks.

‘Eating Out‘ stars Jim Verraros (an openly gay contestant from the first season of American Idol) as Kyle, a young gay boy who’s fallen head over heels for his straight roommate Caleb (how many of you out there have done that before?). He’s also in love with Marc, the mega-hottie gay at school and Gwen, Kyle’s right-hand gal and self-proclaimed bitch who can’t seem to stop dating gay guys. When Kyle pushes Caleb into pretending he’s gay so he can meet Marc things take a turn when Marc falls for Caleb.

But that’s really only a fraction of ‘Eating Out’s’ charms. Starting with the first installment, there’s always an incredibly spectacular (long) sex scene that involves someone remotely telling the participants what to do (don’t forget to use the magic word…). Also included in the price of admission is full frontal nudity, hilarious offensive jokes about the holocaust, and awkward family dynamics!

______________________________________________________

Watch it with: The biggest group of gay guys you can find and/or a hot date (you two won’t be able to make it past the sex scene without something happening…)

Mix it with: Appletinis!

 

Another gay classic and SO. MUCH. MORE.

Dazzling. Astonishing. Fascinating.

These are just a few of the words that have been used to describe director Ira Sachs classic gay film, The Delta. A compelling character study revolving around the confused relationship between a 17-year old Memphis student and a Vietnamese immigrant, it’s a fascinating tale of sexual and racial differences. It was a very controversial film upon its initial release but still holds up after 20 years.

The Delta is now playing on Dekkoo!

In addition, this week we added several other great titles to our library. Be sure to check them all out.

Three’s A Crowd – This comedic web series about two men falling in-love while an ex is still in the picture is sure to delight.

The Surface – An emotional romantic drama that bridges the gap between two generations of gay men.

The Pride & Pretence of Eirik – Actor, writer and vlogger Jeffrey Self stars in this hilarious web series about Eirik, a self-absorbed gay man finding his way.

BoysTown The Series – A great series about eight leading men who heat things up in L.A.

Undetectable – A gay man living with undetectable HIV must confront the guilt tormenting him after betraying and infecting his terminal ex-lover.

It looks like you’re going to be busy this weekend!

 

#DoYouDekkoo?

One of the most extraordinary gay films ever.

Emotionally moving and brimming with youthful energy, ‘The Bubble‘ is a snapshot of three Tel Aviv friends.

Their lives filled with trendy cafes, boutiques and the occasional sexual adventures, the trio seek refuge in their metropolitan “bubble”, isolating them from omnipresent fear of modern warfare around them. But when young Noam falls in love with a Palestinian young man named Ashraf, a chain of events is set in motion threatening their naive, idealistic existence.

Directed by Eytan Fox, The Bubble is as relevant today as it was upon its release 10 years ago. It’s a rich, textured gay romance that is an important link in the chain of great gay cinema.

#DoYouDekkoo?