Category: New This Wekk

Polish director Kamil Krawczycki’s ‘Elephant’ is a gorgeously crafted, old-fashioned gay romance

Beautifully shot above the Polish countryside, Elephant tells the story of Bartek (Jan Hrynkiewicz) a 22-year-old man who runs a small horse farm.

When both his father and sister suddenly leave, sending his mother into an emotional breakdown, Bartek is forced to become the head of the household.

After the sudden death of a neighbor, he is introduced to the deceased’s estranged son, David (Pawel Tomaszewski), who has returned home for the funeral.

David’s independence and recklessness fascinate Bartek. The two soon begin to fall in love, but as they attempt to hide their romance, they end up navigating a homophobic rural environment, personal family obligations and the need to prioritize a future above all else.

Director and screenwriter Kamil Krawczycki paints an intimate and subtle portrait of a blossoming relationship in this award-winning romantic drama, following one young man torn between family obligations and his own freedom.

Watch the trailer for Elephant below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

‘Malila: The Farewell Flower’ is a heady and visually sumptuous spiritual gay romance

From Anucha Boonyawatana, the Thai director behind The Blue Hour and Down the River, Malila: The Farewell Flower is a haunting and stunningly gorgeous romantic drama.

The film follows former gay lovers Shane and Pitch (Sukollawat Kanarot and Anuchit Sapanpong) as they reunite after years apart and try to heal the wounds of their past. Shane is haunted by the tragic death of his daughter, while Pitch suffers a grave illness, rejecting medical treatment as painful and ineffective.

A talented artist, Pitch creates beautiful structures made out of flowers and banana leaves as a way to cope with his deteriorating health. Meanwhile, Shane trains to become a Buddhist monk, in an effort to build karma for Pitch… to either keep him alive or to help him along in his eventual afterlife.

A remarkably beautiful, spiritual film, Malila: The Farewell Flower is as close to transcendent as cinema gets.

Watch the trailer for Malila: The Farewell Flower below. The film is now available on Dekkoo.

The Italian rom-com ‘Mascarpone’ looks at life, love and sex through the delicious lens of food

A romantic comedy-drama from Italian co-directors Alessandro Guida and Matteo Pilati, Mascarpone looks at life, love and sex through the delicious lens of food.

When Antonio (Giancarlo Commare) is dumped by his partner, whom he depends both psychologically and economically, his life begins to change radically.

Embracing all of his new possibilities, Antonio soon enrolls in pastry school, rents a room from the attractive, free-spirited and sex-positive Denis (Eduardo Valdarnini) and takes a job working in a bakery owned by the extremely hunky Luca (Gianmarco Saurino). He also starts having numerous hot sexual encounters with eligible men.

Through this process, Antonio discovers that it was wrong to give up his independence for the sake of his past relationship.

As sweet and silky as the ingredient which serves as the title, Mascarpone is the perfect gay date movie, blending sexy men, endearing characters and charming humor. Having premiered to great acclaim at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, this flavorful gay treat is sure to delight.

Watch the trailer for Mascarpone below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

A group of LGBTQ+ elders get their due in the touching documentary ‘The Coming Back Out Ball Movie’

Filmed in 2017, around the time of Australia’s divisive marriage equality vote, The Coming Back Out Ball Movie is an observational documentary that follows a group of LGBTQ+ elders. They have been invited to a ball in Melbourne to celebrate their gender and sexual identity.

Faced with the complexities of aging and isolation, these extraordinary people seize each day with determination and humor. In a world that is rapidly changing for LGBTQ communities, director Sue Thompson captures amazing and heartwarming moments – such as some of the cast experiencing acceptance and love for the very first time in their lives.

Watch the trailer for The Coming Back Out Ball Movie below. The film is now available on Dekkoo.

Adam Kalderon’s ‘The Swimmer’ is a sexy and provocative gay sports drama

Grab your sunscreen and get ready for a film filled with speedos, water sports, suppressed desire and so much more!

The Swimmer stars Omer Perelman Striks as Erez, a rising star in the Israeli swimming scene. He arrives at a training camp held in a boarding school where only one winning athlete will get a ticket to the Olympics. There he meets the beautiful and talented Nevo (played by Asaf Jonas), who awakens subconscious desires in him.

Unfortunately for Erez and Nevo, their coach does not believe in friendship between competitors. Warned to stay away from Nevo, Erez is far too attracted to give up completely. In between practices, he attempts to act upon his feelings and comes to believe that winning a medal is less important than winning Nevo’s heart.

A critically-acclaimed film festival hit from Israeli director Adam Kalderon, The Swimmer is a skillyfully made, relentlessly sexy and boldly provocative crowd-pleaser.

Watch the trailer for The Swimmer below. The film is now streaming on Dekkoo.

Now Available: BPM (Beats Per Minute)

In the early 1990s, ACT UP – in France, as well as in the United States – was on the front lines of AIDS activism, taking on sluggish government agencies and major pharmaceutical companies in bold, invasive actions.

ACT UP’s members, mostly gay, HIV-positive men, stormed offices in “Silence=Death” t-shirts, facing down complacent suits with the urgency of their own struggle for life.

With BPM (Beats Per Minute), acclaimed French director Robin Campillo (Les Revenants, Eastern Boys) takes audiences directly to the front lines, telling a deeply moving love story that doubles as a historical reenactment.

Amid rallies, protests, fierce debates and ecstatic dance parties, newcomer Nathan (Arnaud Valois) falls in love with Sean (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), the group’s radical firebrand. Their passion sparks against the shadow of mortality as the activists fight for a breakthrough.

Winner of the coveted Queer Palm award at the Cannes Film Festival as well as six Cesar Awards, BPM is one of the most acclaimed gay films in recent memory. We can’t recommend it more highly.

Watch the trailer for BPM (Beats Per Minute) below. The film is now available on Dekkoo.

Short Film Spotlight: Vanilla

Discover a world where every sight and touch unfolds into the irresistible essence of Vanilla, transforming your senses and redefining reality.

From director Leo Tabosa, this short, visually stunning documentary follows the captivating journey of a Brazilian BDSM artist Vanilla.

Set in the vibrant and sensual city of Rio de Janeiro, the story delves into the world of dominance and submission as Vanilla explores her passion for this provocative art form.

As she pushes boundaries and challenges societal norms, Vanilla emerges as a trailblazer in the Brazilian BDSM community. Through her powerful and evocative performances, she redefines the meaning of intimacy, desire and eroticism – drawing in audiences from all walks of life and inspiring others to embrace their own deepest fantasies.

Watch the trailer for Vanilla below. The full short film is now streaming on Dekkoo.