With four gay-themed movies released or coming soon so far – the kaleidoscopic mind-fuck Baby Bump; the gorgeous black-and-white tour of Helsinki’s underbelly Concrete Night; the punk rock-infused tribute to Berlin Desire Will Set You Free; and the edge-of-your-seat exorcism thriller A Closer Walk with Thee – the relatively new distribution label Altered Innocence is proving to be a powerhouse source for fans of edgy queer cinema. They now have exceptional new doc Brothers of the Night lined up for release in November.
In an underworld, against the backdrop of the Danube and Vienna’s skyline, live the underdogs of respectable society. Sporting their leather jackets like suits of armor, these Bulgarian Roma pose, play and seduce Marlon Brando-style. They moved to Vienna in search of an adventure, freedom and a quick buck, but poverty has drawn them to sell their bodies instead.
Sucked into an inescapable nocturnal life, they spend their nights servicing their customers, often lonely men living in public housing. They call it ‘doing business’ to make a clear distinction between work and pleasure. Their curse is their good looks, but as the twilight hours draw near, their second life begins in the strive to support their families and children back home. However, there is a ray of comfort in their feeling of togetherness, where they can be young, reckless and free for the very first time.
Brothers of the Night is already earning rave reviews from certain critics. The Upcoming called it “A strong film about an alliance of outsiders… unprejudiced and without insincere moralizing.” Les Inrockuptibles said it “Combines elements of Genet, Pasolini, Kenneth Anger” and that it’s “a film of real beauty.” Filmstarts comments “Had Fassbinder shot a documentary about Viennese prostitutes, it would look like this.”
Check out the trailer below and pre-order your copy. Brothers of the Night comes to DVD in November.
