Category: Drama

‘Room for a Man’ is a deeply personal, remarkably assured doc about identity and sexuality

One of the first things that writer, director and documentary subject Anthony Chidiac confesses in his deeply personal film Room for a Man, is that he is paralyzed by fear. He finds the very concept of life in the outside world overwhelming.

Chidiac lives with his mother, a French teacher, in Beirut, and rarely leaves the house. His home is a refuge, but in some respects it’s also a prison. To Anthony, the outside world feels like a hostile environment. That’s partly because of his sexuality – something that his own family refuses to accept. His mom wanted him to become a notary, so that he would earn a lot of money and become ‘a real man.’ But that’s not how he sees himself.

When his bedroom undergoes a renovation, much to his mother’s dismay, Syrian construction workers arrive to do the remodeling. As they peel away at the walls, Anthony engages them in an exploration of his own identity and sexuality within the confines of the apartment.

As the construction workers come and go in the freshly embattled household, unexpected passions get stirred. Through the process of renovation – and the making of this film – Anthony finally begins to blossom and embrace his own identity.

Though he may suffer from insecurities, his filmmaking is remarkably self-assured. Room for a Man is a courageous, stylish and ultimately life-affirming cinematic experiment.

Watch a short trailer for Room for a Man below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

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.

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.

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.