The Gay Cinema Video On Demand experience at TLAgay.comhas your entertainment needs covered! We’re always working to expand selection of new and old gay-themed movies available for your viewing pleasure. Here’s just five of our current favorites that you may have missed – ALL available to watch INSTANTLY!
The Blonde One
In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Gabriel (Gaston Re) has just moved in with his colleague, Juan (Alfonso Baron). Shy and reserved, Gabriel is reluctant to follow Juan’s wandering hands and meaningful looks. With a revolving door of beauties streaming out of Juan’s bedroom, his machismo seems firmly in place. However, the attraction between the two men is undeniable. What starts out as a sexual relationship based on convenience of location soon develops into the engrossing evolution of a tender and intimate relationship, which is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. But, as reality begins to set in on their homemaking fantasy, something needs to give… or does it? Argentine writer-director Marco Berger (Plan B, Hawaii, Sexual Tension: Volatile, Young Hunter) is one of our absolute favorite filmmakers and The Blonde One might just be his best work to date.
Tell No One
From writer Roberto Proia and director Ivan Silvestrini, the charming and funny Italian family comedy Tell No One bubbles over with an irresistible romantic playfulness. Italian-born Matthia (Josafat Vagni) is about to move to Madrid to be with his gorgeous boyfriend Eduard (Jose Dammert). By all accounts, their relationship couldn’t be more perfect. Before Matthia moves, Eduard decides to make a grand romantic gesture. He’s going to travel to Italy to surprise Matthia and finally meet his family and close friends. There is only one problem: despite assurances otherwise, Matthia has NOT actually come out to his loved ones! Now, Matthia has to juggle expectations on both sides while trying to keep his perfect, sexy boyfriend from leaving him all together. Tell No One tells a heartfelt story about how it’s never too late to truly be yourself.
Center of My World
After a summer away at camp, Phil (Louis Hofmann) returns home to find that his mother and twin sister (Sabine Timoteo and Ada Philine Stappenbeck) aren’t speaking to one another. Not willing to confront his family during the last days of the summer holidays, Phil escapes to hang out with his best friend Kat (Svenja Jung), eating ice-creams and playing dress-up. As the school year begins, a new student arrives – the handsome and mysterious Nicholas (Jannik Schümann). Smitten, Phil watches his crush as he runs around the track after school, and he’s thrilled when Nicholas returns his feelings. However, when first love’s volatility comes to light, Phil realizes he must deal with the problems of his past in order to deal with the issues of his present. A swoon-worthy coming-of-age comedy from Germany, Center of My World was a huge hit on the film festival circuit.
The Last Straight Man
It may be taboo, but many gay man share the fantasy of sleeping with a straight man. And if that straight man happens to be your best friend and secret crush… it’s even hotter! Writer-director Mark Bessenger allows us to watch this scenario unfold in The Last Straight Man, checking in with two characters having a secret affair over an extended period of time. After a night of heavy drinking at a bachelor party, best buddies Cooper (Scott Sell) and Lewis (Mark Cirillo) end up in bed together. The two men decide to meet in the same hotel suite on the same night each year. The film takes us through four of those nights, spanning a twelve year period depicting how their relationship changes as time goes on. The Last Straight Man is sort of like Richard Linklater’s Before Trilogy… only a lot hotter… and a whole lot gayer, of course.
Men to Kiss
Funny, fresh and unpredictable, this light-hearted romp through queer Berlin and a few of its colorful characters is an absolute delight. New in town, the serious-minded Ernst (Frank Christian Marx) finds his work and personal life thrown upside down after he meets and quickly falls in love with Tobi (Udo Lutz), a flighty, high-energy extrovert and performance artist who lives for the city’s wild nightlife. The two are not exactly a perfect match – actually more like opposites – but they want to make it work and need all the help they can get from Tobi’s coterie of alternative friends. But when Ernst’s friend Uta (Alexandra Starnitzky) arrives on the scene, she thinks Ernst could do much better and schemes to break the lovers apart, setting off a frenzied battle of the fashionista divas. Men to Kiss is an adorable, sun-splashed rapid-fire comedy.
“I let others talk about doing controversial projects that they think will end up at Cannes. Whereas I think my work is always talking about love. Love between men. And I’m going to keep doing it until I die.” – Marco Berger
Since his first feature film, Plan B, debuted on the international film festival circuit back in 2009, Argentina-based writer-director Marco Berger has been one of our favorite filmmakers. Mixing homoerotic desire, suspense and dramatic tension, he’s created an impressive collection of slow-burn gay indie gems that reward patient and attentive viewers. With the recent release of his film Young Hunter – available now on DVD and VOD at TLAgay – we wanted to take a look back through his resume and spotlight some of our top picks. Though not all of his work is currently available, we linked the titles below so that you can check them out on our website, place your order and take a deep dive into his alluring cinematic world.
Absent
Knowingly, even aggressively sexual, 16-year-old Martin (Javier De Pietro) locks his seductive sights on Sebastian (Carlos Echevarria), his recently engaged, 30-something swimming instructor. Faking an injury, Martin eventually tricks his teacher into letting him spend the night at his apartment. As Sebastian begins to realize the possible sexual interest on the part of his student, he is conflicted. He is dismissive, but his curiosity is piqued by the boy’s overt advances. An extraordinary event soon forces the increasingly troubled Sebastian to question his own feelings for young Martin. Absent is not a simple boy-meets-boy drama. It’s a taut drama of repressed passion, guilt and regret. The film won the coveted Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the Berlin Film Festival when it debuted in 2011.
The Blonde One
In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Gabriel (Gaston Re) has just moved in with his colleague, Juan (Alfonso Barón). Shy and reserved, Gabriel is reluctant to follow Juan’s wandering hands and meaningful looks. With a revolving door of beauties streaming out of Juan’s bedroom, his machismo seems firmly in place. However, the attraction between the two men is undeniable. What starts out as a sexual relationship based on convenience of location soon develops into the engrossing evolution of a tender and intimate relationship, which is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. But, as reality begins to set in on their homemaking fantasy, something needs to give… or does it? Poignant, beautifully-crafted and incredibly sexy, The Blonde One is one of the hottest gay movies of the past few years.
Hawaii
Sexual tension practically spills off the screen in this sweaty, titillating romance originally released in 2013. Berger’s Hawaii follows Martin and Eugenio (Manuel Vignau and Mateo Chiarino), two former childhood friends who reunite during a hot summer in the Argentinean countryside. As they work together to restore Eugenio’s summer home, a game of power and desire ensues – compelling the two buddies to grapple with their sexual attraction and reconsider their relationship. With gorgeous cinematography, a lush setting and compelling lead performances, Hawaii is an intimate and unique slow-moving character study that pushes past social boundaries. Lead actors Vignau and Chiarino make the underlying sexual tension palpable from start to finish.
Sexual Tension: Volatile
Berger’s pulsating collection of short films weaves together six scintillating experiences of men in various forms of erotic bonding. A young man feels the adrenaline rush of his sexy tattoo artist’s needle in Ari while in The Cousin, a cute boy has a taboo attraction for a family member. Two “straight” buddies literally show each other how to make love to a woman in The Other One, while a man with Broken Arms receives a sensual sponge bath from a male nurse. Love is questionable when a broken shower brings a married man and an innkeeper together and in Workout two muscular men begin to explore each other’s chiseled bodies. Voyeuristic pleasures await you as the camera penetrates and caresses the men’s bodies while exploring the mysterious and electrifying nature of male intimacy.
Sexual Tension: Violetas
Berger and co-writer/director Marcelo Mónaco followed up Sexual Tension: Volatile with another collection of shorts, this time for the ladies. Exploring the art of seduction between two women – through six very different, incredibly sexy stories – Sexual Tension: Violetas is an assured underground lesbian classic. Two guests of a hostel become roommates (and more), a keen shop assistant helps a woman uncertain about what dress to buy, great passion starts to develop between girls during a picnic, a few women get a little carried away whilst discussing films at a restaurant, and two high-class escorts discover that they are attracted to each other when they are in bed with a client. Never less than exciting and passionate, this effortlessly cool collectionoffers up six unforgettable stories of lesbian attraction.
Taekwondo
In a gorgeous country house in Buenos Aires, Fernando (Lucas Papa) gathers his buddies for a boys-only vacation. Free from work, responsibilities and their girlfriends, this close-knit gang of bros kick back by the pool, sunning their impeccably toned bodies and sharing drug-fueled stories of sexual conquests. Fernando has also invited a newcomer named Germán (Gabriel Epstein), a friend from his taekwondo class, who neglects to tell the group that he’s gay. As the lazy summer days disappear, the connection between Fernando and Germán grows and slowly the boundaries of their relationship begin to blur. A veritable masterclass in will-they-won’t-they suspense, this gloriously protracted, beautifully nuanced tease is both wantonly titillating and disarmingly sweet – luxuriating in the eroticism and lingering over the semi-clad bodies with unapologetic gay abandon.
Young Hunter
Berger’s most recently released film is a tense and thought-provoking thriller. Young Hunter follows Ezequiel (Juan Pablo Cestaro), a fifteen-year-old boy on the cusp of his sexual awakening. While his parents are away, he meets a handsome, slightly older guy named Mono (Lautaro Rodríguez) and quickly starts a relationship. Mono invites him to his cousin’s villa to spend a weekend together, but while returning from the trip Mono seemingly disappears, no longer responding to texts. Ezequiel is surprised and confused until Chino (Juan Barberini), Mono’s cousin, sends him a hidden camera video of their sexual encounter, blackmailing him into participating in an increasingly dangerous criminal conspiracy. Against his own will, Ezequiel must decide whether to come clean or turn from prey to hunter.
The Gay Cinema Video On Demand experience at TLAgay.comhas your entertainment needs covered! We’re always working to expand selection of new and old gay-themed movies available for your viewing pleasure. Here’s just five of our current favorites that you may have missed – ALL available to watch INSTANTLY! Stay home, stay safe and enjoy a movie!
No Hard Feelings
Parvis (Benjamin Radjaipour), the son of exiled Iranians, copes with life in his small hometown by indulging himself with pop culture, Grindr dates and raves. After being caught shoplifting, he is sentenced to community service at a refugee shelter where he meets siblings Banafshe and Amon (Banafshe Hourmazdi and Eidin Jalali), who have recently fled Iran. As a romantic attraction between Parvis and Amon grows, the fragile relationship between the three is put to the test. They find and lose each other throughout a summer of fleeting youth, an intense first love, an attempt at a joint future and the stark realization that, in Germany, they are not entirely equal. A critically-acclaimed new romantic drama, No Hard Feelings won the coveted Teddy Award for Best Queer Feature Film.
The Blonde One
In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Gabriel (Gaston Re) has just moved in with his colleague, Juan (Alfonso Baron). Shy and reserved, Gabriel is reluctant to follow Juan’s wandering hands and meaningful looks. With a revolving door of beauties streaming out of Juan’s bedroom, his machismo seems firmly in place. However, the attraction between the two men is undeniable. What starts out as a sexual relationship based on convenience of location soon develops into the engrossing evolution of a tender and intimate relationship, which is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. But, as reality begins to set in on their homemaking fantasy, something needs to give… or does it? Written and directed by Marco Berger (the same filmmaker behind Plan B, Hawaii, Sexual Tension: Volatile, Absent, Taekwondo and more), The Blonde One is one of the gay movies of the last several years.
We Are Thr3e
Nacho (Carlos Etchevers) is an accountant, a seemingly average guy. At a party he meets Ana (Flor Dragonetti), an attractive and self-confident, recently divorced young woman. As the pair are getting to know one another, they also meet an exceedingly charismatic bartender named Sebastian (Juan Manuel Martino), who starts flirting with both of them. Despite their doubts, Nacho and Ana accept Sebastian’s invitation to spend the night at his place. Initially, nothing happens (nothing sexual or overtly romantic, at least). A few days later, they decide to go on a weekend trip to a secluded farm. There, it seems like things will evolve – possibly leading to a a fun and fleeting one-night stand… until Sebastian confesses that he desires a long-term relationship with a man and a woman together. Featuring casual, committed, naturalistic performances, this unique indie film from Argentinian writer-director Marcelo Briem Stamm takes a sexy and provocative look at a modern three-person courtship.
Everlasting Love
Each day after work, Carlos (Joan Bentallé), a language school teacher, frequents the heady surroundings of his local cruising ground. One evening he encounters a teenage boy from his class named Toni (Aimar Vega), and the two engage in a brief sexual tryst. As the relationship between teacher and student begins to develop, some dark truths emerge about the young man and his mysterious group of friends. Much like Alain Guiraudie‘s Stranger by the Lake, Maral Fores‘ follow-up to his acclaimed debut Animals continues to explore the perils of illicit sexual encounters, but with an edge of youthful impudence. Characterized by meticulous long shots, Fores’ disturbing mystery has a languid visual approach often at odds with the thrills on screen, which are guaranteed to shock and excite in equal measure.
Available Light Available Light is a sexy, funny and even sometimes disturbing experimental feature film by prolific writer/director/actor/artist Todd Verow – the same guy behind Frisk, Anonymous, Vacationlandand Bad Boy Street. The film follows numerous unconnected people in different cities as they try to escape their loneliness through love, lust or some combination of both. The film was shot in real locations using only available light (hence the title). The viewer is both a voyeur, watching the characters in intimate situations that are not meant to be seen, and an active participant, imagining what the characters are going through and making connections between them that may or may not be real. And, as anyone who is familiar with Verow’s previous work could probably guess, there is plenty of hot male flesh on display.
In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Gabriel (Gaston Re) has just moved in with his colleague, Juan (Alfonso Baron). Shy and reserved, Gabriel is reluctant to follow Juan’s wandering hands and meaningful looks. With a revolving door of beauties streaming out of Juan’s bedroom, his machismo seems firmly in place. However, the attraction between the two men is undeniable. What starts out as a sexual relationship based on convenience of location soon develops into the engrossing evolution of a tender and intimate relationship, which is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. But, as reality begins to set in on their homemaking fantasy, something needs to give… or does it?
The Gay Cinema Video On Demand experience at TLAgay.comhas your entertainment needs covered! We’re always working to expand selection of new and old gay-themed movies available for your viewing pleasure. With hearts a-flutter this Valentine’s Day, we decided to put together a list of some of our favorite recent gay romances – ALL available to watch INSTANTLY!
About Us Diego (co-writer/director Thiago Cazado) is leaving his hometown in Brazil to attend a film school in California for four years. He will have to leave behind everything he has ever loved… including Matheus (Rodrigo Bittes), a handsome young man with whom he fell madly in love and shared a brief passionate affair. Ten years later, back in Brazil, Diego decides to write a novel about their relationship using his camera instead of his pen. This heartfelt biopic shows how passion can increase our motivation in life, but also how making tough choices can affect that passion. Romantic and intimate, filmed with a handheld, fly-on-the-wall intimacy, About Us brings us right into the middle of a tricky relationship – portrayed with aplomb by the two lead actors, both relative unknowns with talent to spare.
The Blonde One In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Gabriel (Gaston Re) has just moved in with his colleague, Juan (Alfonso Baron). Shy and reserved, Gabriel is reluctant to follow Juan’s wandering hands and meaningful looks. With a revolving door of beauties streaming out of Juan’s bedroom, his machismo seems firmly in place. However, the attraction between the two men is undeniable. What starts out as a sexual relationship based on convenience of location soon develops into the engrossing evolution of a tender and intimate relationship, which is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. But, as reality begins to set in on their homemaking fantasy, something needs to give… or does it? Written and directed by Marco Berger (Plan B, Hawaii, Sexual Tension: Volatile), The Blonde One is one of the year’s hottest gay movies.
Bromance Welcome back to the fall of 1996. When four friends go on a camping trip in a remote part of Argentina, sexual tensions quickly bubble to the surface. Once in virtual seclusion by the beach, Juli, the only girl of the group, quickly recognizes that the boys seem to have a closer relationship than what she would consider “normal” (it’s only ’96, after all). The line between friendship and love fade further for two of the boys in particular as their desire becomes too much to bear. When what started as a simple getaway quickly becomes tinged with sex, romance and conflict, everyone is forced to confront who they really are for the very first time. Starring Javier De Pietro, the scrumptious star of Absent and Sexual Tension: Volatile, Bromance uses a clever found-footage aesthetic to deliver a thoughtful and supremely sexy meditation on young, burgeoning gay love.
Brotherly Love Brotherly Love is the movie adaptation of the Lambda Literary Award-nominated novel “Seventy Times Seven” by Salvatore Sapienza. Which “calling” do you answer? The one you feel from God or the one you feel about your true authentic self? That is the exact dilemma that Brother Vito (played by writer/director Anthony J. Caruso) is facing. He’s gay, but devoted to his less-than-accepting religious community. Soon, he must decide between becoming a Brother or declaring his love for Gabe (Derek Babb). Shot entirely in Austin, TX and with a local cast and crew, Brotherly Love is a fresh take on the traditional gay love story. You’ll also be happy to know that “The Golden Girls” plays a surprisingly significant role in this touching new romantic drama.
Center of My World After a summer away at camp, Phil (“Dark” star Louis Hofmann) returns home to find that his mother and twin sister aren’t speaking to one another. Not willing to confront his family during the last days of the summer holidays, Phil escapes to hang out with his best friend, Kat (Svenja Jung), eating ice cream and playing dress-up. As the school year begins, a new student arrives – the handsome and mysterious Nicholas (Jannik Schumann). Smitten, Phil watches his crush as he runs around the track after school, and is thrilled when Nicholas returns his feelings. However, when first love’s volatility comes to light, Phil realizes he must deal with the problems of his past in order to deal with the issues of his present. A touching must-see, Center of My World was chosen as an Official Selection and won numerous “Best Feature Film” and “Best Director” awards at festivals around the globe.
Crazy All These Years A poignant yet humorous look at life, death and the damage caused by running away, this new drama focuses on Ben (Christopher Howell), a gay man who returns home to his small Tennessee town to care for his ailing, cantankerous mother (Cinda McCain). As mother and son struggle to find common ground, Ben is forced to examine his previous romantic relationships – and the many broken hearts left in his wake. The most broken of those hearts belongs to Joe (James Fuertes), an ex-lover who is equally troubled and excited to reunite with Ben. Written and directed by Jeff Swafford, the creator behind the gay series Three, Crazy All These Years began life as a stage play, but the emotional impact lends itself well to the cinematic world. Don’t miss this thoughtful family romance-drama.
Do You Take This Man “Rent” star Anthony Rapp leads an impressive ensemble cast in this touching comedy-drama about a long-term gay couple having last-minute jitters before they get married. On the eve of their wedding, Daniel (Rapp) and Christopher (Jonathan Bennett) are having their closest friends and family over for dinner. But when a long-lost friend of Christopher’s shows up unexpectedly, and their already stressful day spirals out of control, the couple realizes they must rely on the kindness of their pals and relatives to get through the event in one piece. Co-starring familiar faces like Thomas Dekker, Mackenzie Astin, Marla Sokoloff and “How I Met Your Mother” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Alyson Hannigan, Do You Take This Man is a realistic and absorbing look into what it takes to make a relationship work in this day and age.
Fair Haven After a long stay in ex-gay conversion therapy, James (Michael Grant), a young piano prodigy, returns home to his family farm and his emotionally distant father, Richard (Tom Wopat). After Richard pressures James to give up his music career and take over the farm, James agrees as a way to make up for his past. Soon, however, James finds himself face-to-face with his former lover, Charlie (Josh Green), who wants to help him turn away from his new beliefs and family expectations, and follow his dreams of studying music. A touching and deeply romantic drama, Fair Haven is often heartbreaking, but ultimately life-affirming. The performances, across the board, are terrific. Veteran character actor Tom Wopat is excellent as the reserved, conflicted father and young up-and-comers Josh Green and Michael Grant make their forbidden romance palpable (and very sweet).
The Falls In this must-see romantic drama, which earned two sequels (both of which, The Falls: Testament of Love and The Falls: Covenant of Grace, are also available on-demand), two Mormon missionaries fall unexpectedly in love and risk their future in the Church to be together. RJ and Chris (Nick Ferrucci and Benjamin Farmer) are poster boys for the Mormon Church: both have pretty girlfriends, were Eagle Scouts at a young age and have perfect academic records. Now, it’s their turn to serve a mission and experience the Mormon rite of passage. Unknown to them, serving a mission will not only open the doors to strangers’ households – where they preach the Gospel – but it will open up secrets in their own lives – and feelings that they’ve long kept buried. The Falls captures the lives of two American teens struggling to make sense of the conflict between their worlds, their desires, and each other.
45 Days Away from You This one is more of a break-up movie, but sometimes that’s just what you want on Valentine’s Day. After a recent break-up with “a man who shall not be named,” young bachelor Rafael finds his romantic life spinning out of control. With a change of scenery in order, he sets out on journey of self-discovery – an adventure that will take him from Brazil to England, Portugal and Argentina. Along the way, he seeks the counsel of his nearest and dearest friends. There’s Julia, an amorous single actress trying to land her breakthrough role; Fabio, Rafael’s straight-boy buddy, who is trying to maintain a long-distance relationship; and Mayara, a dear friend who gave up a promising career in favor of marriage. Over the course of his 45-day trip, Rafael grows closer to the people in his life who really matter and learns that all it takes to mend a broken heart is time… and the support of a few good friends.
Hawaii The sexual tension practically spills off the screen in this sweaty, titillating romance from award-winning director Marco Berger (the same guy behind Absent, Plan B, Sexual Tension: Volatile and Testosterone and The Blonde One – listed above). Hawaii follows Martin and Eugenio (Manuel Vignau and Mateo Chiarino), two former childhood friends who reunite during a hot summer in the Argentinean countryside. As they work together to restore Eugenio’s summer home, a game of power and desire ensues the two buddies to grapple with their sexual attraction and reconsider their relationship. With gorgeous cinematography, a lush setting and compelling lead performances, Hawaii is an intimate character study that percolates with lustful longing. Have a towel ready before you watch it. You are bound to break a sweat!
In Bloom Two young men find their seemingly solid relationship threatened when temptations and unease begin to pull them apart. During one hot summer, blond, pot-smoking and dealing Kurt (Kyle Wigent) and cute, but moody grocery store clerk Paul (Tanner Rittenhouse) begin a committed relationship. Best pals, roommates and lovers, they have an amazing rapport. But when rich-kid Kevin (Adam Fane) enters the picture with romantic designs on Kurt, an unsatisfied longing is exposed – threatening their love in the process. A richly textured examination of gay male relationships, In Bloom is a warm, funny, intelligent, sharply-written, painfully honest, well-acted drama.
Last Summer Writer/director Mark Thiedeman‘s Last Summer tells the story of two high school sweethearts, Luke and Jonah (Samuel Pettit and Sean Rose), who spend their final months together over the course of a long, quiet summer in the rural South, contemplating their uncertain future. Jonah, sensitive, quiet and artistic, prepares to leave his small town for college, leaving Luke behind, but all he wants is for Luke to ask him to stay. But Luke, an athlete struggling through summer school, knows that his boyfriend needs to experience the world beyond their home. A beautiful melancholy romance, Last Summer takes on an almost other-wordly vibe. It’s set in an idealistic American South where Luke and Jonah’s relationship is never questioned or taken as anything other than a normal high school romance. Their struggle isn’t with the outside world, but with the passage of time.
Lazy Eye Dean (Lucas Near-Verbrugghe), a graphic designer living in Los Angeles, notices a sudden change in his vision. Around the same time, Alex (Aaron Costa Ganis), an ex-lover from 15 years prior, contacts him unexpectedly in hopes of rekindling their relationship. When the two meet at a vacation house in the desert near Joshua Tree, secrets are revealed and passions are rekindled that threaten to upend both of their lives. Forty-eight hours later, neither will ever be the same. Written and directed by Tim Kirkman, the Emmy, Gotham, GLAAD and Independent Spirit Award-nominee behind Dear Jesse, Loggerheads and The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, Lazy Eye is a thoughtful and thoroughly sexy romance about roads not taken, unfinished business and the struggle of adjust to progressive lenses.
Love or Whatever Things are going well for Corey (Tyler Poelle). He’s a successful young therapist who recently purchased a gorgeous pair of engagement rings. Corey plans to propose to his long-term boyfriend Jon (David Wilson Page). Jon, however, might not be ready for such an important life-long commitment. In an effort to sew his wild oats, Jon begins having an affair with a woman (Jenica Bergere). Worse yet, it turns out that she’s one of Corey’s patients! The formerly happy couple is soon broken apart and Corey is devastated—that is, until his brassy, lesbian sister Kelsey (Jennifer Elise Cox) introduces him to the wonders of social media and how easy it is for gay men to get laid these days. Faster than you can log into Grindr, Corey begins seeing a hunky guy named Pete (Joel Rush). Pete seems to have everything a young, successful gay guy could ask for, but when Jon comes crawling back for forgiveness, Corey finds himself with a very difficult decision to make.
Mixed Kebab Happily filled with contradictions, tall, dark and handsome Bram (Cem Akkanat) lives a mysterious life in Antwerp that is very different from his conservative, religious upbringing. By day he is the dutiful son and brother, but by night he is a casual drug dealer partying around town and hanging out with the very cute Kevin (Simon Van Buyten). Rumors fly around the neighborhood about Bram’s “inclinations,” so his father lays down the law that his eldest son needs to be a role model for his younger brother Furkant (Lukas De Wolf) who’s a hoodlum turned Islamic fundamentalist. Subsequently Bram flies off to Turkey to meet his future wife (who happens to be his cousin), but not without bringing his newfound friend with him. The platonic friendship with Kevin rapidly turns to a seductive love affair that will shake up everyone’s old-fashioned values.
My Big Gay Italian Wedding Antonio and Paolo (Cristiano Caccamo and Salvatore Esposito) are a perfectly happy young couple, living together in Berlin and finally making plans to get married. They decide to celebrate their nuptuals in the small Italian village where Antonio grew up. While his mother immediately supports his intentions, her husband, Roberto, the conservative town mayor, is much more reluctant. Paolo, who has not spoken to his similarly conservative mother in a long time, is also tasked with getting her to the wedding as a condition of their marriage. Throw in a couple of wacky roommates and the aisle to the altar is soon paved with hilarity, hijinks and lots of love. A merry movie of matrimony, My Big Gay Italian Wedding is filled with slapstick and romance.
Screwed A gorgeous feature-length debut from talented writer-director Nils-Erik Ekblom, Screwed takes us to the Finnish countryside for an unforgettably romantic summer. Seventeen-year-old Miku (Mikko Kauppila) is trying to come to terms with his sexuality and find his place in the world. After his parents find out that he threw a wild party while they were away, he is ordered to spend the summer with them at their cottage. A flirtation soon develops between he and Elias (Valtteri Lehtinen), the irresistible boy next door. As they spend the summer together, escaping the turmoil offered up by their uniquely dysfunctional families, a passionate relationship quickly blossoms. But the boys soon realize that love is not as easy as it seems… especially when it comes to first love.
Sodom It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship when former pianist Michael (Pip Brignall) happens upon 20-year-old soccer player Will (Jo Weil). It’s Will’s bachelor party – and his friends have left him naked and handcuffed to a lamppost! After rescuing him from this compromising situation, Michael takes Will home and an immediate attraction blossoms. But does Will, about to be married, have the courage to pursue his obvious interest in this elegant, attractive older man? Or will these guys merely pass in the night? Sexy and intimate, this new British import features a pair of powerhouse performances from Jo Weil and newcomer Pip Brignall. Their connection is palpable from the second they share the screen together in this intimate and quietly emotional new must-see romance.
Soundless Wind Chime Spare, elegant and moving, told through flashbacks and memories, the emotionally rich Soundless Wind Chime tells of the journey of Ricky, searching for his own lost soul and discovering the past of his Swiss lover, Pascal. With the love story as the central anchor of the film there are other fragments swirling around that make for a perfect, completed puzzle. While this sounds confusing, the film is so gracefully constructed by writer/director Kit Hung, it all works. Ricky is Chinese and Pascal, Swiss. Their love story is told in English, as that’s the language they spoke. Pascal was rough street trade; his abusive boyfriend sent him to the streets to pick pockets. Tiring of his creepy partner, Pascal flees their seedy apartment. At a street cafe he meets a very shy Ricky, a waiter. Breaking through Ricky’s private nature, their shared attraction took hold. Their relationship was marred by jealous spats, punctuated by intensely passionate lovemaking.
Happy New Year, Fellas! 2019 was another incredible year for movies… and movies centered around gay men in particular. Not only was there a wealth of titles to choose from, but many of them rose above the gay movie niche and made a huge splash on the international film fest circuit. Some even broke through into the mainstream (looking at you, Rocketman, burning out your fuse up there alone). Check out our Top 10 Gay Movies of 2019 below and make sure to pick up your copies on DVD and Blu-ray at TLAgay.com!
Editor’s Note: We limited our considerations to titles that we have available currently on our site (including pre-orders). So, while films like Portrait of a Lady on Fire and This is Not Berlin may be phenomenal, they don’t qualify for this particular list as they haven’t been announced yet for DVD, Blu-ray or VOD.
45 Days Away from You After a recent breakup with “a man who shall not be named,” young bachelor Rafael finds his romantic life spinning out of control. With a change of scenery in order, he sets out on journey of self-discovery – an adventure that will take him from Brazil to England, Portugal and Argentina. Along the way, he seeks the counsel of his nearest and dearest friends. There’s Julia, an amorous single actress trying to land her breakthrough role; Fabio, Rafael’s straight-boy buddy, who is trying to maintain a long-distance relationship; and Mayara, a dear friend who gave up a promising career in favor of marriage. Over the course of his 45-day trip, Rafael grows closer to the people in his life who really matter and learns that all it takes to mend a broken heart is time… and the support of a few good friends.
Rocketman As flashy and colorful as it’s subject, this rollicking musical biopic chronicles the early life and career of Reginald Dwight, better known to the world as Elton John (played by total cutie-pie Taron Egerton in a performance which, if we’re being honest, blows Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury out of the water). Visually stunning performances of some of Elton’s best-loved songs are used to tell the story of a rise to rock and roll greatness that includes addiction, depression and complex personal and professional relationships. And unlike some recent musician biopics, Rocketman doesn’t try to downplay Elton John’s sexuality. Big portions of the film focus on his tumultuous affair with talent manager John Reid (played by “Game of Thrones” star Richard Madden) and his deep, abiding affection for lyricist, partner and best friend Bernie Taupin (played by Jamie Bell).
Sauvage/Wild Sauvage/Wild, filmmaker Camille Vidal-Naquet‘s riveting and vibrant erotic journey of a 22-year-old male prostitute named Leo, features a stunning performance from Felix Maritaud (BPM, Boys, Knife+Heart). Leo trades in love as much as lust and wanders through his life without rules or restrictions. Through a series of encounters that offer a glimpse into the complicated and visceral world of male sex work, Leo finds himself searching for affection anywhere he can get it – whether it’s the unrequited love for his hustler friend Ahd (Eric Bernard) or in the arms of an older, vulnerable client. Will Leo choose his freedom and the dangers that come with it, or the comforts of a stable relationship? After all, in this unpredictable world, who knows where he’ll end up?
Climax From notoriously upsetting director Gaspar Noe(Irreversible, Enter the Void, Love) comes a hypnotic, hallucinatory, and ultimately hair-raising depiction of a party that descends into delirium over the course of one wintry night. In Climax, a troupe of young dancers gathers in a remote and empty school building to rehearse. Following an unforgettable opening performance lit by virtuoso cinematographer Benoît Debie and shot by Noé himself, the troupe begins an all-night celebration that turns nightmarish as the dancers discover they’ve been pounding cups of sangria laced with potent LSD. Tracking their journey from jubilation to chaos and full-fledged anarchy, Noé observes crushes, rivalries, and violence amid a collective psychedelic meltdown. Starring Sofia Boutella and a cast of professional dancers, Climaxis Noé’s most brazen, unforgettable and visionary statement yet.
Kanarie Drafted during Apartheid by the South African Army, Johan Niemand’s love for Boy George and Depeche Mode lands him a spot in the SADF Choir called the ‘Canaries.’ Against a landscape where law and religion oppress individuality, Johan and the Canaries have to survive military training and go on a nationwide tour, entertaining people whilst fortifying belief in the military effort and promoting the cause of both Church and State. Then an unexpected romance on the battlefield forces Johan to reckon with his long-repressed sexual identity. Examining the effects of nationalism on the soul, while also exploring the tender brotherhood among misfits, this musical comedy revels in the discovery of finding your voice and learning to fly.
Sorry Angel Paris, 1993. Jacques (Stranger by the Lake star Pierre Deladonchamps) is a semi-renowned writer and single father in his thirties. While on a work trip to Brittany, he meets Arthur (Vincent Lacoste), an aspiring filmmaker in his early twenties, who is experiencing a sexual awakening and eager to get out of his parochial life. Arthur becomes instantly smitten with the older man. From writer-director Christophe Honore comes a mature and deeply emotional reflection on love, loss, youth and aging. In its inter-generational snapshot of cruising, courtship and casual sex, Sorry Angel balances hope for the future with agony over the past in an unforgettable drama about finding the courage to love in the moment, no matter how turbulent.
The Blonde One In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Gabriel has just moved in with his colleague, Juan. Shy and reserved, Gabriel is reluctant to follow Juan’s wandering hands and meaningful looks. With a revolving door of beauties streaming out of Juan’s bedroom, his machismo seems firmly in place. However, the attraction between the two men is undeniable. What starts out as a sexual relationship based on convenience of location soon develops into the engrossing evolution of a tender and intimate relationship, which is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. But, as reality begins to set in on their homemaking fantasy, something needs to give… or does it? Written and directed by Marco Berger (Plan B, Absent, Taekwondo, Hawaii, Sexual Tension: Volatile), The Blonde One is one of the year’s sexiest and most romantic gay movies.
Knife+Heart Easily one of the year’s most acclaimed gay films, this sexually explicit throwback thriller from visionary writer-director Yann Gonzalez is an absolute must-see! Vanessa Paradis is incredible as Anne, a savvy French woman who produces third-rate gay porn. After her editor and lover Lois (Kate Moran) leaves her, she tries to win her back by shooting her most ambitious film yet – with the help of her trusted, flaming sidekick Archibald (Nicolas Maury). But when one of her actors is brutally murdered, Anne gets caught up in a strange investigation that turns her life upside-down. Shot on 35mm and featuring a killer retro score from the band M83, Knife+Heart is an ultra-stylish and blood-soaked ode to 1970s-era Brian De Palma, Dario Argento and William Friedkin.
End of the Century In his excellent debut feature, writer-director Lucio Castro offers both a sun-soaked European travelogue and an epic, decades-spanning romance. When Ocho (Juan Barberini), a 30-something Argentine poet on vacation in Barcelona, spots Javi (Ramón Pujol), a Spaniard from Berlin, from the balcony of his Airbnb, the attraction is subtle but persistent. After a missed connection on the beach, a third chance encounter escalates to a seemingly random hookup. But are these two merely beautiful strangers in a foreign city or are they part of each other’s histories—and maybe even their destinies? Castro deliberately unfolds mystery after mystery, leading the audience on a journey of discovery as the two leading men discover themselves and each other. With sumptuous cinematography and tangible chemistry between the actors, End of the Century is a love story that echoes across time. Winner of Best Film at the Buenos Aires Film Festival and Best First Film at the Frameline: San Francisco LGBTQ Film Festival.
Pain and Glory In maverick filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory,Antonio Banderas plays Salvador Mallo, a film director in physical decline who reflects on his past as his present comes crashing down around him. Some of these reflections are in the flesh, others remembered: his childhood in the ‘60s, when he emigrated with his parents to a village in Valencia in search of prosperity; his first adult love in the Madrid of the ‘80s; the pain of the breakup of that love while it was still alive and intense; writing as the only therapy to forget the unforgettable; the early discovery of cinema; and the void, the infinite void created by the incapacity to keep on making films. Pain and Glory talks about creation, about the difficulty of separating it from one’s own life and about the passions that give it meaning and hope. In recovering his past, Salvador finds the urgent need to recount it, and in that need he also finds his salvation.
There’s nothing wrong with taking some much-needed time during your long holiday vacation to relax on the couch. If you’re looking for some light (or heavy) gay-themed entertainment, TLAgay has you covered. Here are twenty gay movies to stream over the Holidays!
Bathroom Stalls & Parking Lots Brazilian transplant Leo (writer-director Thales Corrêa) embarks on a trip to San Fransisco when he finds out his regular American fling Totah is also visiting the city. Upon arrival Leo joins his friend Donnie (Izzy Palazzini) on a quest through the clubs of the Castro district, hoping to a casual encounter to show Totah they could be compatible beyond the bedroom. Meanwhile Donnie’s straight friend Hunter (Oscar Mansky), a hopeless romantic, tags along in an attempt to teach Leo how to turn a casual sex relationship into a more meaningful one. While bar hopping, following clues, and adventures into seedier venues, they face unforeseen obstacles that challenge the way they approach relationships in the modern day, and may even end up putting their own friendship at risk.
Beautiful Something Edgy, absorbing and raw, Beautiful Something follows four diverse men as they navigate life during one sublime night. This narrative takes a fresh and unsentimental look at the links between young and old, black and white, sex and love, desire and art. As all four comb the Philadelphia streets looking for connection, they often settle for something quick and dirty. However, tonight is much different. Inspired by real-life experiences, Beautiful Something explores the deeper meaning of how giving one’s self to love, and its necessary vulnerabilities, helps us turn the corner from seeing the world as a child to seeing the world as an adult.
The Blonde One In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Gabriel (Gaston Re) has just moved in with his colleague, Juan (Alfonso Baron). Shy and reserved, Gabriel is reluctant to follow Juan’s wandering hands and meaningful looks. With a revolving door of beauties streaming out of Juan’s bedroom, his machismo seems firmly in place. However, the attraction between the two men is undeniable. What starts out as a sexual relationship based on convenience of location soon develops into the engrossing evolution of a tender and intimate relationship, which is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. But, as reality begins to set in on their homemaking fantasy, something needs to give… or does it? Written and directed by Marco Berger (the same filmmaker behind Plan B, Hawaii, Sexual Tension: Volatile, Absent, Taekwondo and more), The Blonde One is one of the year’s hottest gay movies.
Boys Following one man through two timelines, Boys, the newest feature from director Christophe Charrier, is a gripping and compassionate study of first love and the lingering sting of loss. We first meet Jonas (BPM: Beats Per Minute star Felix Maritaud) in the present, where he’s having a rough go of it. He’s prone to starting fights at the local gay bar, and his boyfriend has had enough of his infidelity and alcohol-soaked antics. His volatile behavior may stem from a traumatic incident in his past. The film flashes back to 1997, where Jonas (played as a high school kid by Nicolas Bauwens) meets Nathan (Tommy Lee Baik), the rebellious new student who will become his crush. The boys venture into the night on their first date unaware that it’s about to change their lives forever. Don’t miss this searing mystery.
Cas From filmmakers Joris van den Berg, Matt Guerin and Reid Waterer comes a sexy and thoroughly entertaining collection of three short films that examine the different effects the addition of a third party has on a modern gay relationship. In Cas, Pepijn and George’s steady, seven-year relationship is shaken after they allow a hot young student named Cas to sleep on their couch while he finds a place of his own. Gradually, both men fall head over heels for the attractive younger man’s laconic charm, forcing them to reconsider their many long-term plans. Is Cas’s presence endangering their relationship or is he a blessing in disguise? In Tri-Curious, last minute anxiety threatens to ruin a young gay couple’s first threesome together. The final short in the collection, Bed Buddies, is a comedy about three gay friends who wake up after sleeping together and try to make sense of the unclear line between friendship and love.
The Gay Cinema Video On Demand experience at TLAgay.comhas your entertainment needs covered! We’re always working to expand selection of new and old gay-themed movies available for your viewing pleasure. Here’s just five of our current favorites, from various years, that you may have missed – ALL available to watch INSTANTLY! These aren’t our TOP 5, by any means – just a handful of flicks we want to highlight.
The Blonde One In the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Gabriel (Gaston Re) has just moved in with his colleague, Juan (Alfonso Baron). Shy and reserved, Gabriel is reluctant to follow Juan’s wandering hands and meaningful looks. With a revolving door of beauties streaming out of Juan’s bedroom, his machismo seems firmly in place. However, the attraction between the two men is undeniable. What starts out as a sexual relationship based on convenience of location soon develops into the engrossing evolution of a tender and intimate relationship, which is as sweet as it is heartbreaking. But, as reality begins to set in on their homemaking fantasy, something needs to give… or does it? Written and directed by Marco Berger (the same filmmaker behind Plan B, Hawaii, Sexual Tension: Volatile, Absent, Taekwondo and more), The Blonde One is one of the year’s hottest gay movies.
We Are Thr3e Nacho (Carlos Etchevers) is an accountant, a seemingly average guy. At a party he meets Ana (Flor Dragonetti), an attractive and self-confident, recently divorced young woman. As the pair are getting to know one another, they also meet an exceedingly charismatic bartender named Sebastian (Juan Manuel Martino), who starts flirting with both of them. Despite their doubts, Nacho and Ana accept Sebastian’s invitation to spend the night at his place. Initially, nothing happens (nothing sexual or overtly romantic, at least). A few days later, they decide to go on a weekend trip to a secluded farm. There, it seems like things will evolve – possibly leading to a a fun and fleeting one-night stand… until Sebastian confesses that he desires a long-term relationship with a man and a woman together. Featuring casual, committed, naturalistic performances, this unique indie film from Argentinian writer-director Marcelo Briem Stamm takes a sexy and provocative look at a modern three-person courtship.
