As a member of the Iris Prize’s pre-selection jury Philip Wyn-Jones give his thoughts on some of this years most promising film nominations.
20 MALE GAY NYC
Blake Pruitt, USA Here’s an interesting point. Did you know that lots of gays hate… gays, or at least what they perceive to be gay stereotypes; men who are muscle-bound or effeminate or empty-headed or all three! This ‘fact’ emerges from Pruitt’s thoughtful talking-heads documentary in which ten men talk freely and frankly about their sexuality.
BUMPY NIGHT
Julie Kreuzer, Germany Do actors stop acting when they exit the stage? In this case the answer is no. Jonas, after a successful performance as Hamlet, is the centre of attraction at a private party. His former boyfriend is there. Can Jonas maintain a veneer of cool nonchalance? The title suggests otherwise.
THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE
Laura Scrivano, Australia Here’s a thrilling example of youthful talent. Seventeen-year-old Kim Ho, from Sydney, wrote a touching monologue giving a teenager’s view of life’s romantic problems. In this elegantly made film he takes the leading role as a student in a French exam. Stephen Fry saw this film and declared it ‘amazing’.
G.B.F. (main image)
This year’s indie teen comedy G.B.F (or Gay Best . Friend for those a little late to catch on) takes the tired tropes of the high school comedies from the last decade and turns them upside down. Instead of a group of empty headed prom queen wannabes vying for the attention of the hottest jock in school, they are instead competing for the friendship of protagonist Tanner – the fi ????????????????????????????????L???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????]????????????????????????????????e?????????????()
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