Drama – Page 104 – Discover great gay stories.

New This Week – 3/9/18

When John discovers his sister’s fiance is Jack, his childhood crush, passions ignite and his life spirals out of control…losing his job, his playboy reputation and his underwear, all while rushing to the altar to finally confess his love! ‘John Apple Jack’ is available to stream now on Dekkoo!

Pepijn and Sjors’ steady, seven-year relationship is shaken up after they allow a young student named Cas to sleep on their couch. Watch ‘CAS’ now, exclusively on Dekkoo!

A mischievous disabled girl absconds to London to find love and opportunity, but finds an unlikely outcome in her life when she hooks up-with a washed up male escort. Watch ‘Little Devil’ now on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: A wonderfully acted and taut love story of two outsiders.

DEKKOO DISPATCH 061 – ‘CAS’

Title – ‘Cas‘

Director – Joris van den Berg

Starring – Kevin Hassing, Wieger Windhorst, Felix Meyer, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing

Release Date – 2016

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Hallo from the Netherlands (or Holland if you’d prefer)! The home of Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and the inventor of solid chocolate! Ooh la la! It’s also home to a boatload of cute gay couples just waiting to invite you into their apartment so you can sleep on their couch while you worm your way into their lives without realizing it. Well at least I assumed from the movie ‘Cas‘ I just watched that that’s the case. Well I’ll just pretend to myself that it happens allll the time. You’ve gotta live for something…

‘Cas‘, a film directed by Joris van den Berg is actually a made-for-TV film which makes me instantly sad that I don’t live in the Netherlands and can’t have something like this broadcasting over the air permeating my entire body with it’s emotional and sexy brilliance. Running at only 48 minutes it’s a breath of fresh air as to what Joris is able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. The way in which the viewer enters the film and is quickly able to take stock of the current situation of the relationship is incredibly strong. We’re immediately aware that we’re in the presence of a couple that’s at the make-or-break stage. They love each other, but they both have long-term needs that could conflict.

Enter our main character Cas who will decide for them if they’re made for this pairing or if they just wish they were. Invited by Sjors to crash on their couch while he looks for a place to live, Cas shows up one day to Pepjin’s surprise. While we’re a little confused at first how the two met, it’s eventually revealed that Sjors had met up with him a few times previously. Pepjin’s reluctance gives way to a welcoming attitude once Cas’ love of 80s music and ‘Twin Peaks’ comes to light. Eventually after a drunken night out the three end up sleeping together and then the real relationship tests really start.

There’s so much to like about this film. Pepjin’s emotional fragility, Sjors’ tender daddy personality, and Cas’ puppy dog-like charm are a few of them. But other topics like the contrasting desires and goals in a relationship and the nature of monogamy are explored with such a delicate yet strong touch that reminded me of my own relationships and made me question what I want in my future relationships. All in all this is a fantastic 48 minute film and I can’t wait to see what Joris van den Berg is able to do with 96 minutes next time!

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Watch it with: Your boyfriend and your houseboy.

Mix it with: A Heineken (it’s from the Netherlands!!)

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One Great Gay Shot – ‘From Beginning to End’ (2009)

‘From Beginning to End’ is available to stream only on Dekkoo.com!

New This Week – 3/2/18

Maki is a young gay music student who’s completely smitten with his classmate Ruiku, who plays piano with incredible passion but is cold and distant to everyone. Maki decides to do whatever it takes to get Ruiku to return his feelings. ‘Melody of Our Love’ is available to stream now, only on Dekkoo!

In the gay short comedy ‘Bed Buddies’, gay friends wake up after sleeping together and try to make sense of the unclear line between friendship and love.

Friends and filmmakers Tim (26) and Nicolaas (29) go in search of the boundaries of their own sexuality. They’re both gay, at least, they think so. But how sure are they? What would it be like to experiment with the other sex? Is their sexual identity really as fixed as they think? Watch ‘Gay Meets Girl’ now on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: A positively adorable, uplifting, sexy and very funny romantic comedy!

DEKKOO DISPATCH 060 – ‘JAYSON BEND: QUEEN AND COUNTRY’

Title – ‘Jayson Bend: Queen and Country‘

Director – Matt Carter

Starring – Davis Brooks, Paul Norton, Tom Read Wilson, Djalenga Scott

Release Date – 2013

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We’re all familiar with James Bond 007, but have you ever met Jayson Bend 009? If not you’re in for one heck of a gay ride – a really, really, reallyyyy gay ride. Matt Canter decided to put a queer spin on the old James Bond formula and created ‘Jayson Bend: Queen and Country‘ – rip-roaring queer adaptation of the James Bond we all know and love (except ‘Quantum of Solace’ – does anyone like that one?).

Exploding dildos, smoking condoms, and a car with built in Grindr?!? Sign me up! When I first watched the film I remember rolling my eyes for the first few minutes, but then… the opening credits sequence. My god the opening credits sequence is PERFECT! It’s exactly like every other 007 movie except they replaced the sexy girls with guys (and references to hair products – more on that later). It’s truly a stroke of genius and executed outstandingly. I could sit through 10 minutes of it. After that I was ready for anything and boy does JB keep the hits coming! After Jayson recovers a microchip from a murderous salon employee, he’s informed by ‘L’ that it contains genetic data that might be related to a satellite being sent into space by the owner of a mega salon corporation. What?? Uh, ok. Yeah sure. Let’s get to the gadgets!!

Sure enough JB delivers and we get to head down to G’s lair of fun gadgets where we get to see the condom that can fill a room with smoke in 1 minute, the wristwatch that can control his car, and some tracking stickers. Soon we’re whizzed off to Switzerland where Jayson can track down a cute Chinese geneticist who might know more about the potential evil plot. Helping him out is Alec DeCoque – just wait until you hear him pronounce his name – a cute Swiss guy who might be Jayson Bend’s match!

Just like any James Bond movie worth its salt (I’m looking at you ‘Quantum of Solace’!) intrigue, danger, sex, and… more sex awaits our hero Jayson Bend who will stop at nothing to protect Queen and Country! Watch it on Dekkoo tonight!

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Watch it with: A large group of friends that appreciate a good smoking condom gag.

Mix it with: Isn’t it obvious? Apple martini – shaken, not stirred.

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New This Week – 2/23/18

Alex is a young addict who sells his body in Montreal. He and his friends Bruno, Simon, Jeanne, Eric and Velma are all caught in the same spiral of compulsion. Hostage to society’s market logic, they are the fallen angels of a dark and violent time. Stream ‘Love in the Time of Civil War’ now on Dekkoo!

In this blast from the past television series, flamboyant fitness guru Richard Simmons would grant the wishes of everyday people and tried to make their dreams come true. This popular TV series features interviews with 90’s stars such as the dreamy Brian Austin Green, 70’s child star Leif Garrett, 80’s rocker Rick Springfield and many, many more. Watch ‘Richard Simmons’ DreamMaker’ only on Dekkoo!

Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is home to both the largest outdoor Passion Play in the United States and an important vote on LGBT rights. This film follows the town’s inhabitants as they prepare for the historic vote. Watch the gay short film ‘Peace in the Valley’ on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: Two gay filmmakers go in search of the boundaries of their own sexuality.

DEKKOO DISPATCH 059 – ‘FORT BUCHANAN’

Title – ‘Fort Buchanan‘

Director – Benjamin Crotty

Starring – Andy Gillet, David Baïot, Iliana Zabeth, Mati Diop

Release Date – 2014

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Heya! I hope you got a chance this past weekend to catch our newest Dekkoo exclusive film ‘Screwed’, but if you didn’t it’s still there calling out to you from the sun-drenched shores of Finland. And if you did watch it then I’ve got a deep gem from our collection that I think you’ll have some fun with…

‘Fort Buchanan‘ is the name of this unique piece of cinema hailing from an American director now living in France. As with someone that’s been immersing themselves in French life he decided to shoot the film in French and yet populate the movie with a decidedly American attitude and aesthetic including quite a bit of country music. I watched this last night with a friend and we were definitely taken aback by how unique the film is (especially once you’re past the initial 15 minute introductory mark). What starts as an ordinary relationship drama about a husband yearning for his husband who’s away at war develops into a layered film about fidelity, age, PTSD, and the acceptance of death.

The film contains four sections each taking place within the four seasons. Most of it takes place at a residence compound of sorts – the titular Fort Buchanan. Roger (our main character for most of the film which by the way only runs at one hour which is the perfect length for a slightly strange movie such as this one) lives at Fort Buchanan with his daughter Roxy along with many other army wives. He misses his husband Frank who’s away fighting in Djibouti and tries to keep his mind on staying in shape, reading, and wearing wild flashy jackets. The other army wives try and console him and encourage him to pursue ‘play dates’. Shocked at this new piece of information he digs deeper and finds out that all of the army wives occasionally sleep with women and so we begin to realize that their next target is Roger’s daughter. Chasing sex is most of what takes place in ‘Spring’.

Fast-forward to ‘Summer’ and we’ve traveled to Djibouti (in a fantastic CGI-ish transition that I went crazy over!) where we finally get to meet Frank and witness the interactions between the two. Meanwhile Roxy is exploring the local flavors and testing out her budding sexuality on the dance floor. Past this point I don’t want to say much more about the plot, but my advice is to go with the flow when it comes to the random character that shows up in ‘Fall’. It’s confusing at first, but he’s introduced for a reason to be sure. Oh I also need to be sure to let you know it’s shot in 16mm which adds to the hazy yet gorgeous nature of the film. It definitely feels like it was shot in the 80s or early 90s. Go check it out!!

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Watch it with: A friend who enjoys an experimental adventure.

Mix it with: A light refreshing white wine.

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New This Week – 2/16/18

Seventeen-year-old Miku is trying to come to terms with his sexuality and find his place in the world. After his parents find out he threw a wild party while they were away, he is to spend the summer with them at their cottage. A flirtation soon develops with Elias, the boy next door. As they spend the summer escaping their dysfunctional families, a relationship quickly blossoms. But they soon realize that love is not as easy as it seems. ‘Screwed’ is available now, exclusively on Dekkoo.com – one month before DVD!

An ensemble comedy about the intersecting loves, lies and indiscretions of three couples in Brooklyn. Watch ‘Other People’s People’ on Dekkoo.com!

In the drama ‘Hate Crime’, A gay couple suddenly encounter intolerance and hostility at the hands of their new neighbor, the son of a fundamentalist preacher.

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Coming next week: In this 90’s talk show an American fitness instructor, actor, and comedian tried to make dream come true!

DEKKOO DISPATCH 058 – ‘WILD REEDS’

Title – ‘Wild Reeds‘

Director – André Téchiné

Starring – Élodie Bouchez, Gaël Morel, Stéphane Rideau, Frédéric Gorny

Release Date – 1994

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Ah the French… While we’re partying it up and watching TV they’re contemplating life and reading philosophy – or at least that’s what they want us to think! Either way the French make some great movies especially dealing with teenage angst which is the subject of today’s dispatch! Enter the world of André Téchiné’s ‘Wild Reeds‘ (Les Roseaux Sauvages). It was hailed as an instant classic when it came out in France in ’94 and even beat out ‘Queen Margot’ (by Patrice Chéreau [‘L’homme Blesse‘]) for the César award (the equivalent of our Oscar). We’re showcasing a new HD Restoration that will blow your socks off!

‘Wild Reeds‘ tells the story of four teenagers making the transition from childhood in the era of the late days of the Algerian War which took place from 1954-1962. The movie focuses the most on Francois who’s discovering his budding attraction to men. Conveniently he becomes friends with the sexy Serge who is open to ‘experimenting’ with Francois, but nothing more beyond that. Of course that frustrates Francois who feels a real attraction to Serge to which he confides in his best friend Maite, the daughter of their teacher with communist leanings (Madame Alvarez). The film starts with a joyous wedding with Serge’s older brother confiding in Alvarez that he’s heard communists might be able to smuggle him out of the war. When she refuses to help he’s forced to head back to the war where he tragically dies. This sets in motion a series of events that bring the 3 adolescents together to figure out the next steps their life will take.

Senses of Cinema had this to say about the title of the film:

The title Wild Reeds (Les roseaux sauvages) echoes a poetic fable by Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695): “The Oak and the Reed”. Boasting of his strength, the proud oak tree offers to shelter the frail reed. But the reed rejects the oak and, when a storm blows, the reed bends with the wind and survives, while the oak is torn up by its roots. In concert with this, all of Wild Reeds’ adolescent characters need to learn to bend from their initial, inflexible positions and accept the ambiguities inherent in adulthood.

There are so many reasons to watch this film!! Besides the fact that you’ll get to witness the birth of the modern French coming-of-age film there’s a wealth of talent involved in this film that went on to make lots more amazing movies (a bunch of which you’ve probably seen!).

André Téchiné – The director of countless amazing French films. He’s directed some of the best queer films of all time including ‘Being 17’ and ‘The Witnesses’.
Gaël Morel – The lead of ‘Wild Reeds‘ attained much critical acclaim for his portrayal of Francois, but his passion rested in being behind the camera and just two years later directed the popular film ‘Full Speed’ in which he cast his co-star from ‘Wild Reeds’ Stéphane Rideau! He also directed the steamy gay thriller ‘Our Paradise’.
Stéphane Rideau – Stéphane went on to become a prolific actor in his own right starring in the subversive comedy ‘Sitcom’ by Francois Ozon and the popular gay romance movie ‘Come Undone’ by Sebastian Lifshitz.
Jacques Nolot – A very famous French actor, he later went on to write and direct the classic queer films ‘Porn Theatre’ and ‘Before I Forget’.

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Watch it with: With your French film-loving friends.

Mix it with: A French red wine of course!

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New This Week – 2/9/18

This acclaimed 1994 romantic drama from maverick queer filmmaker André Téchiné takes place in takes place at the tail end of the Algerian War in 1962 and follows French 18-year-olds Maite and Francois during their sexual and emotional coming-of-age. ‘Wild Reeds’ is available to stream now on Dekkoo!

While on holiday at his family’s home in Provence, Frédéric’s seemingly perfect family life is disrupted when he meets his neighbor, a gay graphic artist named Hugo. Watch ‘The Man of My Life’ on Dekkoo!

Matt is a closeted serial killer on the hunt for love and acceptance in a pretty messed up world. Watch Demons, now streaming on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: The Nordic summer is all about getting screwed!