The Gay UK Issue 2 : MR GAY UK | Page 37

WATCH LOOKING a new drama that premiers on Sky Atlantic this month, is an absolute must see. The action centres around 3 friends living in San Francisco, who happen to be gay. Forget stereotypes, 2 dimensional characters and gratuitous sexual scenes, this series is a witty and well written piece of television drama that creates characters you are actually interested in and can identify with (with a few raunchy scenes as well). Instead of a coming out story, this drama centres around the day to day life of gay men. The characters explore relationship issues, domesticity, trust, love and friendship. Jonathan Groff, who plays the lead character comments "Hopefully it's a sign of where things are, or where they're going: that your sexuality is a big part of who you are, but doesn't define who you are." ∎ HUNTED Channel 4 On the eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics, Russia is officially welcoming gay athletes and spectators. But in a country where it's thought only 1% of gay people dare to live completely openly, it appears to be a hollow gesture. FALCON PORN STUDIOS Legendary gay film producer Falcon Studios has decided to use some decidedly new tech to compete with bareback studios. For it's latest release, California Dreamin', the San Francisco-based studio used advanced Photoshop techniques to remove condoms from the final film. While the film itself was shot using condoms, the final result appears as condomless. The move comes in response to two trends in the industry — increasing financial pressures from consumers who want to see films without condoms, and state regulatory agencies that have fined adult film producers for going without. ∎ THE BIG REUNION 2014 The Big Reunion 2014 features exclusive and explosive accounts from former pop heroes, with revelations about drugs, fisticuffs, rows, eating disorders, shattered dreams and how the music industry can leave even apparently successful stars penniless. Episode one also offers a taster from new band 5th Story. Gareth says: "My life changed overnight. Everything I seemed to release went to number one. I just enjoyed everything that was thrown at me.” He continues: “The band all sound very interesting, I know a few of them. Myself and Dane share a mutual friend." ∎ on ITV2 from 6th Feb This extraordinary Dispatches documentary has gained unique access to the vigilante gangs that target gay men and women. The film depicts a country troubled by disturbing violence and distressing intimidation. Six months after the Russian parliament unanimously passed a law to protect children from 'non-traditional' relationships, this film explores the terror that gay people in Russia are calling 'hunting season'. ∎ Channel 4 on Demand 37