Category: Drama
DEKKOO DISPATCH 022 – ‘EASTERN BOYS’ AND ‘JOHNNY’
Title – ‘Eastern Boys‘
Director – Robin Campillo
Starring – Oliver Rabourdin, Kirill Emelyanov, Danil Vorobyev, Edea Darcque
Release Date – February 27, 2015
Title – ‘Johnny‘
Director – Micah Stuart
Starring –Â Tony Abatemarco, Luca Alexander, Brandon Crowder, Nikita Kochnev
Release Date – July 10, 2016
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This week we’ve got two dark and sexy films (both with hustlers) that we think you should watch ASAP!
First up is ‘Johnny‘. While there have been a glut of films that have dealt with an older man finding himself through a younger prostitute, I found that ‘Johnny‘ did it with an amount of grace and sexiness that few have come close to.
One night a random John (Sam) picks up the sexy Johnny for a hot time at a sleezy motel. What neither of them expects is the human connection that forms and the secrets that both reveal over the course of their encounter. Personally my favorite part of this short is the intense sex that occurs between the two characters. It’s rare to see such a hot inter-generational encounter in a short film like this. Even rarer to see poppers being brought into the fray. Woo!
After ‘Johnny’ you’re ready to go deeper into the world of hustlers with ‘Eastern Boys‘. This film is directed by Robin Campillo who was the writer of the Palme D’or winner, ‘The Class’. His new film ‘120 Beats Per Minute’ was just in the official selection at Cannes and is hyped as one of the best French films dealing with the ACT UP movement. The film follows a lonely gay man named Daniel. He seems well-off, but is lacking love and friendship in his life. The beginning of the film starts off showing the train urchins at the Gare du Nord station in Paris. It’s hard to tell where they’re from, but you can assume it’s somewhere in Eastern Europe. They had to leave to escape the poverty and now they’re looking for a way to make money. In walks Daniel looking for some company and he finds Marek. A rendez-vous is scheduled and when someone knocks on Daniel’s doors it’s not Marek, but a child claiming to be Marek.
I really don’t want to give too much more away. One of the best things about this movie is its wonderful balance of tension, romance, and action. I’ll tell you that I’ve never had a film make me sweat as much as this film does in the first 30 minutes. It’s nerve wracking!! ‘Eastern Boys‘ brilliantly tackles the fears and desires of both older gay men and young homeless immigrants all in just over two hours.
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Watch ’em with: You and maybe one other person whose hand you can grab onto during parts of ‘Eastern Boys‘.
Mix it with: Red Wine.
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One Great Gay Shot – ‘Johnny’ (2016)
DEKKOO DISPATCH 018 – ‘FOGI IS A BASTARD’ & ‘BOYGAME’
Title – ‘Fogi Is a Bastard‘
Director –Â Marcel Gisler
Starring –Â Fredric Andrau, Vincent Branchet, Urs Peter Halter, Jean-Pierre Von Dach
Release Date – April 28, 1999
Title – ‘Boygame’ (as part of ‘Straight Men and The Men Who Love Them: Vol. 3‘)
Director – Anna Österlund Nolskog
Starring – Charlie Gustafsson, Joakim Lang, Sophie Adolfsson, Palmira Koukkari Mbenga
Release Date – December 3, 2013
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This week on the Dekkoo Dispatch we’re covering two films that center on youth and sexuality and the angst that arises from that potent combination.
‘Boygame’ (part of ‘Straight Men and the Men Who Love Them Vol: 3‘) is a masterful investigation into the limits (or lack thereof) of male bonding from Swedish director Anna Österlund Nolskog. Yup that’s right. One of the sexiest and deepest probing studies into straight guys maybe not being that straight is from a woman. The short centers around best friends John and Nicholas. They joke together, encourage each other to chase after their girl crushes, and even jerk off together. But once conversation turns to
the mechanics of sex and how they’ll be able to keep from cumming too quickly that’s when the line between friends and something more gets a little blurry. There’s so much about this short film to fall in love with, but personally my favorite part is right at the end studying the character’s faces to determine exactly what they’re thinking. Each time I come up with something different and it never fails to make me feel giddy in one way or another.
After you’ve fallen in love with John and Nicholas from ‘Boygame’ it’s time to keep up those reading skills with another foreign film. This time from Switzerland (French language), the land of mountains, watches, chocolates, and drug addicted rockers like Fogi, one of the main protagonists (although he could also be considered the antagonist) of ‘Fogi is a Bastard‘. I watched this movie for the first time when I was in high school or early college and really felt a connection with Beni, the main character since he was a
similar age and also looking for love. Now re-watching it later I’ve fallen in love with it even more since I can now recognize many of the tell-tale signs of impending romantic disaster which occur in the film quite frequently – that and I’m also just really into guys in collars now more than I was before.
15-year-old Beni goes to a rock concert one night and falls in love with Fogi, the lead singer of a so-so rock band. He quickly becomes a ‘roadie’ and Fogi introduces him to sex and tenderness which Beni sucks in like a sponge. At first Fogi isn’t really a ‘bastard’ as the title would suggest. He’s vulgar and off-putting, but those are qualities that rock stars usually posses and Beni admires that. After a while though one of Fogi’s band members
gets him back into heroin which has negative consequences on their relationship (obviously). Beni is persistent in his love for Fogi and won’t let go even when Fogi prostitutes him out to older men for drug money.
‘Fogi is a Bastard‘ is definitely a film that stands out from the pack for its tender study of drugs affecting a loving relationship. Parallels could be drawn to Ira Sachs’ ‘Keep the Lights On’ for it’s portrayal of two souls battling it out in the name of affection and love.
There are also some fantastic images in this film that refuse to leave my memory like when Beni curls up at Fogi’s feet and then Fogi pours milk on his face. Lactosploitation indeed!
Watch these films! You won’t be disappointed.
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Watch ’em with: A friend who enjoys sexy foreign films
Mix ’em with: A 6-pack of good beer
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DEKKOO DISPATCH 017 – ‘SPRING’ AND ‘IN THE NAME OF’
Title – ‘Spring‘
Director –Â Hong Khaou
Starring –Â Jonathan Keane, Chris O’Donnell
Release Date – January 22, 2011
Title – ‘In The Name Of‘
Director –Â Malgoska Szumowska
Starring –Â Andrzej Chyra, Mateusz Kosciukiewicz, Maja Ostaszewska, Lukasz Simlat
Release Date – September 20, 2013
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Hey Dekkoo-ers! Hope your week is going swell. I’ve got two great flicks to talk about today, both with an inter-generational theme.
‘Will it hurt?’ asks the youth nervously to the camera. ‘Yeah it can’ replies the older and much more confident man sitting across the table at the cafe. Thus begins the movie ‘Spring‘, a short film about sadomasochism and Sub/Dom role-play. It’s a fantastically shot short film by Hong Khaou, the director of ‘Lilting’ and an intriguing investigation into a young man’s mind as he explore fetishes he’s only dreamt of. Definitely a short film you won’t want to miss!
A funny side-note about this film is that most of it was shot in a room that caused a bit of a scandal way back because ‘The King’s Speech’ was shot in it along with a gay porn film!
Alright after you’ve taken a bit of a break :ahem: post-‘Spring‘ it’s time to sit down with ‘In The Name Of‘. It’s a beautiful, poetic film centering on a country priest in Poland dealing with his repressed sexuality. The film deals with heavy issues, but spreads it out to great effect with sensitivity and beauty.
After having just been transferred from another parish, Adam sets up shop in the sleepy little town by opening up a halfway house for wayward youth. The rules are simple: work hard and don’t get into trouble. Adam is able to start a family in a way with these young men and seems to be really happy early on in the film. But just when everything seems to be going well a new boy joins the ranks who senses Adam’s growing relationship with Lukasz (whose looks draw an obvious correlation with Jesus Christ) and decides to shake things up amongst the guys.
The film really comes together in the final act so I definitely recommend staying with it through the admittedly slow first half. If you need motivation there’s plentyyyy of half-naked guys throughout the film. Right when the song ‘The Funeral’ by Band of Horses started playing over a religious procession through the country-side was when the movie really coalesced for me and became magical from that point on.
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Watch ’em with: Your local gay-friendly (or just plain gay) priest
Mix ’em with: Wine blessed by said priest
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DEKKOO DISPATCH 015 – ‘I’M FINE’
Title – ‘I’m Fine‘
Director – Brandon Kirby
Starring –Â Perry Powell, Lee Doud, Shaughn Buchholz, Ulysses Morazan
Release Date – April 19, 2017
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Hey all! So we’ve been hyping our new original series, ‘I’m Fine‘ to you for a while now and the moment has finally come to premiere the first four episodes of Season 1! At Dekkoo we’re constantly on the hunt for new filmmakers working in the LGBTQ spectrum and the director of ‘I’m Fine‘ is a perfect example of what we’re striving for. This series is the directorial debut of Brandon Kirby whose work in the film industry with both Outfest and Strand Releasing showcases a clear passion for the world of queer cinema.
The premise for ‘I’m Fine‘ centers around Nate who’s going through a tough post-breakup phase and relies on his friends Jeff, Andy, and Brian for emotional support. In the first four episodes alone we witness rebound sex, drunken confessions of love, reunions with BFFs, shrieking homosexuals, awkward phone calls, and most importantly – mimosas.
When I asked the director more about his motivations behind creating ‘I’m Fine‘ he responded thus: ‘My motivation to make the series is the end of ‘Looking,’ and how, though we have options among the digital space, there is not a series dedicated solely to the experience of the LGBT community where they are experiencing friendships and relationships — and at the forefront. And beyond what even ‘Looking’ was able to achieve, I want to open up a conversation on gay male friendship in the way recent works such as ‘Frances Ha’ and ‘Broad City’ have explored the fluidity found within female friendship. These stories aren’t being told when there’s so much to tell.’
We’re calling ‘I’m Fine‘ our very first, ‘pocket series’ because the episodes were designed to be short. It’s a series you can take with you on the go! The first four episodes are available now. Episodes 5 through 8 will launch June 21 and we’re already in pre production for season 2!
Make sure to let us know what you think, tell all your friends, and most importantly…enjoy!
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Watch it with: That cute guy you’re sitting next to on the subway!
Mix it with:Â Your energy bar and cup of coffee. Don’t be late to work!
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DEKKOO DISPATCH 014 – ‘BOY CULTURE’
Title – ‘Boy Culture‘
Director –Â Q. Allan Brocka
Starring –Â Derek Magyar, Darryl Stephens, Patrick Bauchau, Jonathon Trent
Release Date – April 1, 2006
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Alright show of hands – who here has not watched ‘Boy Culture’? We won’t tell anyone, promise! Alright there seems to be a few of you out there. Why haven’t you watched it?? Are you afraid of the sexiness? Do you think it looks cheesy? We promise it’s not as cheesy as you think it is. Well I mean it is, but I promise there’s more to it! Just keep reading.
‘Boy Culture‘ follows the adventures of a witty and droll prostitute named ‘X’. Through voice-over he takes us through his philosophies on hooking, dating in the gay world, and introducing us to his smoking hot roommates; the mega-twinky Joey with the large tongue and the possible-love-of-X’s-life Andrew (played by the always-charming Darryl Stephens). Conflict comes into play when X reveals that even though he’s in love with Andrew he can’t actually imagine having sex without getting paid. Luckily X has a new older client that seems to be good at playing the role of therapist. Enter Gregory, (played by Patrick Bauchau, a veteran actor best known for ‘A View to Kill’, but who I know best from ‘Phenomena’ which I actually watched last night coincidentally) a recluse who seems to only want to talk and not actually have sex.
Alright so what value does this movie that seems to be just another gay prostitute film contain? Well the answer is the incredibly witty, fun, and honest dialog penned by Q. Allan Brocka (‘Eating Out‘, ‘Rick & Steve’) who once again is able make a low-budget film shine through dialog that ranges from the brilliantly cheesy to really heartfelt lines that get me aww’ing every time, ‘But lesbians have it easy. Sure they have all that dyke drama, but it’s only because they give a shit about each other’.
Key points to convince you more: 3ways, hot guys, the dangers of GHB, witty old man dialog, repressed childhood memories, a black wedding, coming-out, falling in love, a really awkward sex scene, (Patrick Bauchau is totally straight and it feels really uncomfortable, but it’s hilarious I promise!) crossword puzzles, dykes with pink hair (I see you Emily Brooke Hands!), really hot back-up plans, tax evasion, road-tripping, and tea! Whew. Done. You’ve been convinced. Enjoy ‘Boy Culture‘.
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Watch it with: Lots o’ friends or that trick you brought home.
Mix it with: Apple Martinis
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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
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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.
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Watch it with: A friend who appreciates historical queer
cinema.
Mix it with: A good bottle of German wine.
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Coming next week:Â A sexy romantic comedy from
the director of ‘eCupid‘ and ‘Is it Just Me?‘
DEKKOO DISPATCH 012 – ‘EVERLASTING LOVE’
Title – ‘Everlasting Love‘
Director –Â Marcal Fores
Starring –Â Joan Bentalle, Aimar Vega, Hugo Alejo, Adrian de Alfonso
Release Date – April 25, 2015
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Is anyone else feeling a little dark these days? Is it just me? I’ve been thinking a lot about Marcal Fores’ film ‘Everlasting Love‘ lately and if you haven’t seen it and you’re in the mood for a sexy film involving intergenerational relationships and weird Spanish kids that take heartbreak a little too seriously keep reading!
I’ll set the scene for you: Dusk is still an hour or so away. You’re in a forest in the Northeastern area of Spain where various men and women are cruising for love and sex, but mostly sex. An older stud, Carlos, prowls the forest looking for his next trick, but instead happens upon one of his students, Toni. He doesn’t want to lose his job, but he also appears to have a voracious appetite for sexual pleasures and decides to have sex with Toni in his car (an incredible 4-minute sex scene taken in one continuous zoom
shot). I don’t really want to say what happens next, but I will say that I won’t mess with a group of Spanish youth ever!
Marcal Fores is a truly fantastic director and his first feature film ‘Animals’ (which you’ll be seeing soon on Dekkoo) also has a very similar surreal feeling. Marcal, like many young directors, puts a lot of emphasis on music in his films and in ‘Everlasting Love‘ he finds some very creepy tracks to put you on edge while at the same time keeping an humorous sensibility (especially in the end credits). I also really appreciate the honest nature of cruising in the film combining the reality of the endless hunt for sex (you can’t get lucky every time) with the fantastical element of women also being in the woods (a joke made early on in the film ‘Stranger by the Lake’ which many people compare to ‘Everlasting Love‘).
Combining sexiness, art-house techniques, horror elements, and honest-to-god romance, ‘Everlasting Love‘ is a 69-minute trip that you won’t soon forget!
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Watch it with: Someone you can cling on to if you get scared…or horny.
Mix it with: Spanish wine and tapas! Maybe some poppers too.
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DEKKOO DISPATCH 008 – ‘THE BUBBLE’
Title – ‘The Bubble‘
Director –Â Eytan Fox
Starring –Â Ohad Knoller, Yousef Sweid, Daniela Virtzer, Alon Friedman
Release Date – September 7, 2007
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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.
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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!
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Discover great gay stories. 