Category: International Film

New This Week – 6/17/22

From director Adam Salky and writer David Brind, Dare is a celebrated teen drama centered around three high school seniors – an aspiring actress, her misfit best friend and a local loner – who become engaged in an intimate and complicated love triangle. ‘Dare’ is available to stream now on Dekkoo!

Pete has an unfortunate habit of beginning affairs with married men. Typically they end because Pete has commitment issues. He moves on, and the men return to their families. But when he meets Jack, a family man with two kids, their relationship starts heading down a different path. Watch ‘From Zero To I Love You’ now on Dekkoo!

An erotic experimental film from director Leo Bittencourt, Vagalumes observes one night in Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo Park and captures the location’s sensual atmosphere. ‘Fireflies’ is streaming now on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: Here Comes Your Man Season 2!

Three gay Palestinian friends advocate for sexual and national equality in the moving documentary Oriented

A feature-length documentary from Israel-based British director Jake Witzenfeld, Oriented follows the lives of three gay Palestinian friends as they confront their national and sexual identities in modern Tel Aviv.

Khader is an “It Boy” and provocateur from a prominent Muslim mafia family in Tel Aviv’s neighboring Arab suburb of Jaffa. An aspiring journalist and producer, he lived for many years in the heart of Tel Aviv with his “Jew-ish” boyfriend David.

Fadi left his Christian community in northern Israel to pursue his dream of becoming a nurse. He feels that his new freedom is marred by the guilt of his nation’s tragedy. His passionate nationalism is challenged when he falls in love with an American Jew fighting in the Israeli Defense Forces.

Naeem describes himself as a Palestinian, vegetarian and feminist. Like Fadi, he comes from a Christian family in northern Israel. His time in Yafo inspired him to confront his family’s expectations and be honest with his loved ones about his sexual identity.

Determined to change their reality, the three friends form a non-violent, cultural resistance group to advocate for sexual and national equality. Meanwhile, a war is brewing that may jeopardize their best laid plans.

A stirring film which has sparked active engagement at community screenings, Oriented has inspired a great deal of discourse about LGBTQ rights, the perception of “the other” in conflict zones and the role of grassroots social activism all around the world.

Watch the trailer for Oriented below. The film is now available on Dekkoo.

Diamantino is a wild genre-blending and gender-bending queer comedy satire

Vividly photographed in Super 16mm and featuring the biggest stampedes of giant Pekingese puppies you’ve ever seen, the critically-acclaimed, genre-blending and gender-bending Diamantino is an underrated high-camp masterpiece!

From directing duo Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt, the film stars super hottie Carloto Cotta as a big-hearted but dimwitted Portuguese soccer hunk who, after blowing it during the World Cup finals, goes from superstar to laughing stock overnight.

His sheltered worldview is further shattered after learning about the European refugee crisis. He soon resolves to make amends by adopting an African refugee – only to find that his new “son” is actually an undercover lesbian tax auditor investigating him on the suspicion of corruption.

From there, Diamantino gets swept up in a gonzo comic odyssey involving cigarette-smoking evil twins, Secret Service skullduggery, mad science genetic modification and a bizarre right-wing anti-European Union conspiracy.

In the Los Angeles Times, Justin Chang called Diamantino “the funniest gender-bending, human-cloning refugee-crisis soccer comedy I’ve ever seen, and also the most thoughtful.” And Glenn Kenny said in the New York Times “this simultaneously goofy and deft satirical comedy… feels like an early Adam Sandler comedy remixed by Pier Paolo Pasolini.”

Watch the trailer for Diamantino below. The film is now available on Dekkoo.

New This Week – 6/10/22

Director Oskar Roehler and revelatory star Oliver Masucci bring to the screen the story of prolific German New Wave filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder – following his early days in the theater through to his reign as one of Europe’s most daring and original visionaries. ‘Enfant Terrible’ is available to stream now on Dekkoo!

Mirna and Pablo start a friendship framed in reflections about identity, loneliness and death during the 1990s in Chile. From writer-director Manu Morales Contreras, ‘Eyeshadow’ is a story about fellowship and the HIV/AIDS crisis inspired by the literary works of Pedro Lemebel. Watch ‘Eyeshadow’ now on Dekkoo!

In season 2 of the Dekkoo-original series ‘Here Comes Your Man’ Aaron tries to navigate his causal relationship with Julio somewhere more serious. Meanwhile, Jordan settles into Omaha Nebraska to record his album. Dustin becomes entangled in an online romance while Cassie reignites her romance with Malcolm.

Watch the trailer for Season 2 now!

Watch Here Comes Your Man Season 1 only on Dekkoo!

Now Available: North Sea Texas

Set during an unspecified period of the 1970s, North Sea Texas is a coming-of-age romance directed by acclaimed short filmmaker Bavo Defurne, making his feature-length debut. Based on a novel by Belgian children’s author Andre Sollie, the film follows Pim (Jelle Florizoone), an introverted teenager who lives with his ex-beauty queen mother in a small coastal town.

Dreaming of a loving father who will someday come for him, but never does, Pim brightens up his days by drawing, dreaming up fantasy lives and expressing his emerging desires through a secret collection of “borrowed” objects that he keeps in a shoebox. He’s also fallen in love with Gino (Mathias Vergels), the charismatic, motorcycle-riding older boy next door.

As things become fraught at home, Pim starts spending more and more time with Gino and his family. The two boys soon become closer than ever – and though Gino returns Pim’s affections, he insists that they keep their relationship a secret. When a girl catches Gino’s eye and he moves away, it leaves Pim feeling more alone than ever. But, as time goes by, the true depth of their feelings for one another are revealed.

Though not without its heartbreaks, North Sea Texas is an ultimately uplifting film that explores burgeoning sexuality through a refreshingly honest and optimistic lens. And with numerous award-winning short films under his belt, director Bavo Defurne knows what to do with his camera. Capturing the beauty and color of the film’s setting, North Sea Texas offers up an almost other-worldly, fairy tale vibe that compliments the tricky romance at the film’s core.

Watch a short clip from North Sea Texas below. The film is available now on Dekkoo.

New This Week – 6/3/22

An exceptional and inspirational documentary, Oriented follows the lives of three gay Palestinian friends confronting their national and sexual identity in Tel Aviv. Determined to change their reality, the three best friends form a non-violent, cultural resistance movement, fighting for gender and national equality. ‘Oriented’ is available to stream now on Dekkoo!

Matt, a stereotypical hetero cis white male, feels he has life figured out. All he has to do is keep following the status quo. This all changes, however, when he meets Ryan and the illusion of his idyllic life begins to crumble. ‘Ticking Boxes’ is a tense new nine-minute short film from director Robert Metson.

The seventh installment of this hit worldwide comedy-mystery series finds our favorite gay bears in more danger than ever when they’re targeted by a mysterious stalker while vacationing in sunny Palm Springs. If that wasn’t enough to deal with, someone is out to sabotage the “Mr. Bear America Pageant” where Reggie is serving as a celebrity judge. Watch ‘Wear The Bears Are 7’ now on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: A film that follows the life and impact of iconic German New Wave director Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

Dekkoo Digest: Ross breaks down the films Diamantino, Let’s Meet Again at the End of the World and Socrates

Welcome our new series: Dekkoo Digest! Each week we will be giving you info on Dekkoo’s newest films and television series. Dekkoo releases at least three gay films each and every week!

A troubled teen strives for physical perfection in the provocative drama The Perfect David

Sixteen-year-old David (Mauricio Di Yorio) is much like any teen, but his boyish good looks rest upon a hulking, muscular body. He spends the majority of his time obsessively working out, trying desperately to reach idealized bodybuilder perfection.

This obsession is mostly fueled by the desires of his troubled mother Juana (Umbra Colombo), an accomplished artist who controls David’s every move, overseeing all aspects of her son’s regimen and weightlifting training.

As David dedicates himself to developing his physique, the allure of a social life begins to call out to him. His group of male friends begin beckoning him to be more outgoing while an attractive classmate sets eyes on David and works to win him over. And as these social opportunities start intruding on his physical training, a disoriented David starts taking some performance-enhancing shortcuts, sending him into a dangerous downward spiral.

From director Felipe Gomez Aparicio, The Perfect David is a visually stunning and provocative character-driven drama. It’s at once a delicious ode to the beauty of the male form, a warning of the dangers of seeking absolute perfection.

Watch the trailer for The Perfect David below. The film is now available on Dekkoo.

New This Week – 5/27/22

After his mother’s sudden death, Socrates, a fifteen-year-old living on the margins of São Paulo’s coast, must survive on his own while coming to terms with his grief. Directed by Alexandre Moratto using mostly non-professional actors – and support from UNICEF – Socrates has earned acclaim and awards at film festivals all over the world. ‘Socrates’ is available to stream now on Dekkoo!

One of the craziest and sexiest movies in recent memory, Diamantino is a colorful sci-fi comedy satire from directors Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt. The film follows a big-hearted but dimwitted Portuguese soccer hunk (played by hunky international award-winner Carloto Cotta) who gets caught up in a strange conspiracy involving genetic modification. Watch ‘Diamantino’ now on Dekkoo!

After a year apart, hopeless romantic Adam runs into his ex-boyfriend during a seaside vacation. Thoughtlessly entangling himself in a week-long romance, Adam must decide whether to rekindle their flame or break free from the tumultuous relationship once and for all. ‘Let’s Meet Again At The End Of The World’ is available to stream now on Dekkoo.

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Coming next week: Three gay Palestinian friends explore their national and sexual identity.

New This Week – 5/20/22

David is an attractive young bodybuilder who obsessively trains to become his artist mother’s muse. Ashe dedicates himself to further developing his impressive physique, he goes through an identity crisis that will mark his destiny. ‘The Perfect David’ is available to stream exclusively on Dekkoo!

Pim, an introverted kid, occupies his time drawing and fantasizing while keeping his emerging desires a secret. As a teen, he grows infatuated with Gino, the handsome boy next door. When a hunky local man starts dating his mother, Pim seizes the opportunity to leave home and move in with Gino’s family. His plan backfires as Gino departs, romancing and living with a girl from across the border. It seems like Pim’s dreams will never come true… until one rainy day when Gino returns home. Stream ‘North Sea Texas’ now on Dekkoo!

Written by and starring Charles Gould and directed by Matt Porter, Flex is a charming, sexy and funny new sixteen-minute short about broadening your horizons. When Charles’ girlfriend breaks up with him, she makes him promise that he’ll try new things once they part ways. This leads him to start exploring the grey areas of his sexuality and finally accepting his bi-curiousity. Watch ‘Flex’ now on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: A stunning and deeply emotional portrayal of a young man’s journey.