Short Film Spotlight: Plantonic

For anyone who has ever had trouble finding their soulmate, Plantonic poses an attractive fantastical question: what if you could grow the perfect man?

A wildly inventive short film from writer-director Krit Komkrichwarakool, Plantonic follows the unique relationship that grows (literally) between a young aspiring artist and the handsome hunk that sprouts, fully-formed, from his garden.

Well… kind of. There’s actually a lot more going on in this beautifully-shot, deeply-emotional 15-minute romance. The clever fable at the film’s core is woven inside a moving story of real-world heartbreak that is sure to stir up some tears.

Lead actors Josh Pyman and Kenny Brain have great chemistry and are effective at selling both the film’s grounded and fantastical aspects. Plantonic also marks Komkrichwarakool as a talented director to keep an eye on in the future. We can’t wait to see what he does next.

Watch a short trailer for Plantonic below. The film is now available on Dekkoo.

New This Week – 3/11/22

Aspiring actor Logan (Windham Beacham) is inexplicably drawn to reformed drug dealer Guillermo (Matthew Montgomery). While neither are gay, the pair are baffled when their friendship blossoms into more. But as their relationship deepens, Guillermo’s mysterious past erupts and a startling revelation about the true nature of their connection threatens to destroy it and change their lives forever. ‘Back Soon’ is now playing on Dekkoo!

Dekkoo Films presents ‘Thirty Candles’. In this homage to the John Hughes classic, a newly 30-year-old man finds unexpected comfort in his secret crush when everyone at the office forgets his birthday.

Our favorite crime solving gay bears fall into yet another thrilling murder mystery surrounding the upcoming nuptials of everyone’s favorite couple, Nelson and Todd! At the same time, Reggie’s true crime TV show becomes a hit on the Inquisitive Channel and sparks begin to fly because of his new co-stars. Meanwhile, Wood decides to start his own swimwear line called “Sporting Wood,” which provides them the opportunity to audition, dress and photograph hot bear models for a living! ‘Where the Bears Are 4′ is now available on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: An intelligent and haunting depiction of sexual passion and the interplay between desire and identification.

Short Film Spotlight: Rolling Around

On a family holiday in the mountains, Xavier (Florent Médina) is forced to go hiking with Fred (Thierry Préval), his big sister’s boyfriend, whom he does not seem to like very much.

During their multi-day hike, which Xavier’s sister sat out due to a sprained ankle, the two young men finally get to know each other – and like each other. They’re quickly growing bond becomes quite strong… until Xavier begins to develop feelings for Fred and makes an unexpected move.

Sensing a great tension and desire brewing beneath the surface, Xavier makes his case for why the two of them should take advantage of their alone time and express their true feelings. But does Fred really feel the same way? And is their blissful trip worth a secret family betrayal?

With gorgeous visuals and compelling performances, Thierry Préval – who pulls triple duty as the film’s writer, director and star – ratchets up the tension from the get-go. Rolling Around offers up a rich and deeply contemplative study of gay longing in just 22 minutes.

Watch a short trailer for Rolling Around below. The film is available now on Dekkoo.

New This Week – 3/4/22

Richard, a filmmaker in his forties, finds himself suddenly overwhelmed by anxiety during the making of his latest project. He walks off set and wanders through the Paris night in search of answers, comfort and inspiration. During this sleepless night, he meets many people – some friendly, some disturbing. He soon must start confronting his fears and questioning his deepest desires…all before the first light of dawn. ‘Down In Paris’ is available exclusively on Dekkoo!

On a family holiday in the mountains, Xavier is forced to go hiking with Fred, his big sister’s boyfriend, whom he does not seem to like. During this hike, the two boys will get to know each other, until Xavier begins to develop feelings for Fred. Their relationship then oscillates between tension and desire. ‘Rolling Around’ is streaming now on Dekkoo!

Mario, in a trance, danced the night away. Later, his two lovers, Amine and Victor, discover him dead in his bed. In this house lost in the middle of nowhere, where they live with a band of friends, follows a dark drift where all mutations become possible. And on the horizon there is a mysterious leopard. Stream ‘Silence Du Leopard’ now on Dekkoo!

Now Available: Coming Clean

From the heart of the Amazon comes Coming Clean, an amazing compilation of LGBTQ+ short films from emerging Latin American directors from Brazil and Peru. These thought-provoking stories prove that universal social themes have no borders.

In The Last Romantics, two young men share their different points of view on the same sexual encounter in a public space. Savage Fire takes place in the city of Cajamar, where lonely characters deal with the police, rodeos and some mysterious fires.

My Only Earth is the Moon follows Sergio, who answers thirty six questions on order to make his crush Gabriel fall in love. Sandra Calling is an emotional short about a man who is trying to grieve for his lost mother while dealing with all the practical things that need to happen in the wake of a parent’s death.

Finally, Carlito Leaves Forever, directed under the supervision of Werner Herzog, takes place in the heart of the Amazon jungle and follows a silent young man who sets out on an epic canoe trip. An encounter soon reveals a secret he had been hiding from his community.

Watch the trailer for Coming Clean below. The full compilation is now available on Dekkoo.

New To Dekkoo – 2/25/22

Tom of Finland shaped the fantasies of a generation of gay men, influencing art and fashion before crossing over into the wider cultural consciousness. But who was the man behind the leather? This stirring biopic follows his life from the trenches of WWII and the repressive Finnish society of the 1950s through his struggle to get his work published in California, where he and his art were finally embraced amid the sexual revolution of the 1970s. Watch ‘Tom of Finland’ now on Dekkoo!

While his strict father dreams of making him a champion, 16-year-old Amine practices synchronized swimming in secret. Lost between the fear of disappointing his dad and the desire to become the person he really is, the young man slowly finds the courage to accept his choices – and himself. ‘Amine; is available to stream now on Dekkoo!

From the heart of the Amazon comes this amazing compilation of LGBTQ+ short films from emerging Latin American directors from Brazil and Peru. These thought-provoking stories prove that universal social themes have no borders. Includes the short films ‘The Last Romantics’, ‘Savage Fire’, ‘My Only Earth is the Moon’, ‘Sandra Calling’ and ‘Carlito Leaves Forever’. ‘Coming Clean’ is available now on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: A beautifully evocative “night-in-the-life” gay fever dream.

Short Film Spotlight: To (10) Centimeters

When Christophe (Otman Salil), a soft-spoken violinist studying at a music conservatory, moves in with Jerome (Thomas Alden), his almost instant attraction to the young and handsome up-and-coming journalist is palpable.

Unfortunately for Christophe, Jerome is seemingly straight. When he also learns that Jerome has a girlfriend (Océane Dailly), any romantic hopes he had are quickly dashed. His infatuation, however, grows deeper. He borrows Jerome’s clothes and even crosses a line while he’s sleeping.

Facing agonizing longing, their new living arrangement seems untenable. But before Christophe leaves for good, he devises an unusual way to tell Jerome how he really feels.

To (10) Centimeters, a new 25-minute short from Paris-based Japanese filmmaker Masaya Matsui, has style to spare and is packed with intriguing mystery. Watching the film, you’re never quite sure where your allegiance should lie. Is there a real simmering connection between the new roommates or is Christophe projecting and creating a gender-flipped Single White Female scenario? You’ll have to watch and decide for yourself.

Watch a short trailer for To (10) Centimeters below. The full film is available now on Dekkoo.

The short comedy The D*ck Appointment mines the absurdity of dating apps for laughs

When Wally (Patrick Reilly), a lovelorn young man, decides to try getting over his recent break-up, he turns to hook-up apps for help – leading to unusual results.

The D*ck Appointment is a new short comedy from writer-director Mike Roma. The film literalizes the dating/hook-up app experience by casting actors to play the lead character’s various direct message options and having them interact face-to-face, using their text chains as dialog.

Refreshingly observant, the film shines a spotlight on the inherent absurdity of these interactions – culminating in an in-person meeting that’s a little too whiz-bang for our lead. Anyone who has ever wasted too many hour scrolling through Grindr or cut an unsuccessful encounter short will find plenty to relate to and laugh about here.

Mike Roma previously wrote and directed Danny the Manny, which Indiewire named one of the Best Web Series of 2016. The following year, Roma premiered his debut feature film Dating My Mother at Frameline Film Festival. In 2019, his pilot script F*ckboys was developed at the Screenwriters Colony. The D*ck Appointment is his latest project and was chosen as an official short selection at Outfest 2020.

Watch a short clip from The D*ck Appointment below. The film is available now on Dekkoo.

New This Week – 2/18/22

Todd is a hyper-articulate gay twentysomething whose fear of dying alone leads him to a baffling conclusion: he might not be gay after all. When he meets Rory, a whip-smart actress, the two forge a relationship that’s all talk and no sex. Writer-director-star James Sweeney delivers a razor sharp rom-com exploring just how elastic our definitions of love and sexuality can get. ‘Straight Up’ is streaming now on Dekkoo!

When Wally (Patrick Reilly), a lovelorn young man, decides to try getting over his recent break-up, he turns to hook-up apps for help – leading to unusual results in this short comedy from writer-director Mike Roma. Watch ‘The D*ck Appointment’ exclusively on Dekkoo!

Szabi is a young Hungarian on a German soccer team. After a fight with his best friend Bernard, Szabi decides to return to Hungary to fix up a countryside home he inherited. There, he meets Aron and a mutual attraction ensues. But when news of their love affair spreads around their homophobic small town, the boys find themselves in danger. ‘Land of Storms’ is available to watch now on Dekkoo!

When Christophe moves into Jerome’s apartment, he’s not expecting to fall head-over-heels in love. Unfortunately, Jerome has a girlfriend – leading Christophe to agonize over whether or not to tell his new roommate and secret crush the truth about his feelings. Watch ‘To (10) Centimeters’ now on Dekkoo!

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Coming next week: The called it filth. It became a revolution.

Short Film Spotlight: Mindf*ck

With the opening line “Drop your trousers,” French writer-director-actor Pierre Scot’s six-minute exercise in suggestive suspense is off to the races.

Mindf*ck is a short psychological comedy-thriller which manages to do a whole lot with a limited running time. The film follows a television journalist who meets a dominant man on a fetish-oriented dating app.

Blindfolded and cuffed to a chair, he’s unexpectedly left alone… and that’s when his mind starts racing. Who is this man he’s only just met and what are his true intentions? If he’s discovered in such a vulnerable state, what will it mean for his career? And, most importantly, what could possibly be inside the deeply mysterious tupperware container his seductive captor has left behind on the kitchen counter?

Without spoiling too much, allow us to offer an important warning to any/all arachnophobes: steer very clear of this short! (And the clip below.)

Watch a short clip from Mindf*ck below. The film is now available on Dekkoo.