It tells the story of 16-year-old Steven (Ben Silverstone), a boy who can't tell anyone of his sexual preference except an overweight girl named Linda, who is also unlucky in love. Steven (and most of his school's female student body) have a crush on John, the school hunk, who dates a model. Before long, John and Steven finally meet and start a private romantic tryst. The lies, secrets, and deceit build to a head at the school's commencement ceremony, where John is to be presented a prize for athletics, while Steven reads his award-winning essay on growing up. All is finally revealed.
Cast: Ben Silverstone, Brad Gorton, Charlotte Brittain Director: Simon Shore Language: english
Publisher: , Year: 1998
A moving, often graphic docu-drama, Greek Pete draws on the actual life experiences of its cast; men who work within and around the world of London-based gay escorts, or ‘rentboys’. A focal point emerges in charismatic Pete, an ambitious young man who wants to be known as the best in his chosen field - to the point of seeking a nomination in the 'World Escort Awards' in Los Angeles.
Pete arrives in London with the hope of increasing his business as an escort, always up for it and always horny, a fantasy for those willing to pay. Not only is the money better in the big city, there are more opportunities to be had and Pete has goals and ambitions. He wants a flat in central London, a decent laptop and some good promotional photos to help with trade.
If he works hard and becomes the best escort that he can be, perhaps a nomination at the ‘World Escort Awards’ in Los Angeles could be more than just a vague dream. His plans get complicated when he meets London boy Kai, a fellow escort on the scene, and starts a relationship. While Pete can easily separate his job from his love life, Kai has a harder time sharing his boyfriend with clients. Both are searching for very different things in life.
Cast: Peter Pittaros, Lewis Wallis, Tristan Field, Liam Thompson, Barry Robinson Director: Andrew Haigh Language: English
Publisher: Peccadillo Pictures, Year: 2009
What happens when the hardest team in the Sunday Soccer league comes up against a gay team (pun intended) and finds they've finally met their match? Watch and wince as fledging referee Elton Glixton struggles to control this testosterone tsunami as rude-boy meets bum-boy in this outrageous new British comedy set in the crazy gung-ho world of 5-a-side footie. KickOff is the latest and craziest balls-bonanza from award-winning writer/director Rikki Beadle-Blair (FIT, Stonewall, Metrosexuality).
Cast: Jay Brown, Rikki Beadle Blair, Jason Maza, Stephen Hoo, Ludvig Bonin Director: Rikki Beadle Blair Language: English
Publisher: Peccadillo Pictures, Year: 2010
When you are a tall strapping man who dresses like a woman for a living, finding a pair of sexy but durable shoes can be worth your weight in gold. Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor)--a drag queen also known as Simon--finds her shoe salvation in straight-laced Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton), who has inherited his father's shoe factory. Unable to pay the bills making traditional loafers and wingtips, Charlie agrees to make Lola a pair of kinky boots that turn out to be so fabulous the pair end up going into business together. They face a few obstacles, such as the bawdy union workers who aren't too keen on taking orders from a drag queen who's more of a man than they are. Then there's Charlie's posh real estate girlfriend, who wants to convert the factory into pricey condos. While the movie doesn't provide any real surprises (or even any scenes as suggestive as its title might suggest), the film (which is loosely based on a true story) is highly entertaining that will delight fans of both comedy and shoes.
Not technically gay cinema, but still good fun and plently of camp humour
Cast: Joel Edgerton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Linda Bassett, Kellie Bright, Josh Cole Director: Julian Jarrold Language: English
Publisher: Optimum Home Releasing, Year: 2010
The second of the Merchant/Ivory films (A Room with a View, Howard's End), Maurice deals with a theme few period pieces dare mention--a young man's struggle with his homosexuality. It's not just a gay coming-of-age story, however. The hero wrestles with British class society as much as his personal and sexual identity.
Starring:- James Wilby, Hugh Grant, Rupert Graves, Denholm Elliott and Simon Callow The film opens on a stormy, windswept beach, as an older man awkwardly instructs young, fatherless Maurice Hall (James Wilby) in the "sacred mysteries" of sex. The same turbulent, wordless struggle with passion lasts throughout this slowly evolving, beautifully filmed story. Novelist E M Forster's brainy, British melodrama hinges on choice and compulsion, as the pensive hero falls for two completely different men. First comes frail, suppressed Clive (Hugh Grant), who wants nothing more than classical Platonic harmony ... and a straight lifestyle. (Grant's performance is so convincing, one wonders how he ever became a heterosexual sex symbol.) After Clive's wedding, Maurice turns to hypnosis to cure his unspeakable longings. Unfortunately, his "cure" is interrupted by Clive's lustful, brooding, barely literate gamekeeper Scudder (Rupert Graves), a worker more at home gutting rabbits than discussing the classics. Maurice's love for a "social inferior" forces him to confront his illicit desire and his ingrained class snobbery
Cast: James Wilby, Hugh Grant, Rupert Graves, Denholm Elliott, Simon Callow Director: James Ivory Language: english
Publisher: Channel, Year: 1987
Set within the Asian community in London, My Beautiful Launderette is an unusual love story concerned with identity and entrepreneurial spirit during the Thatcher years. Omar (Gordon Warnecke) takes over the running of his wheller-dealer Uncle's launderette with the intentionof turning it into a glittering palace of commerical success. When he employs childhood firned and ex-National Front member Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis) they become lovers as well as working partners. However, complications soon ensure as the anger of Johnny's deserted gang begins to build and Omar is forced to face increasingly difficult family issues. Written by Hanif Kureishi and skilfully directed by Stephen Frears, My Beautiful Launderette tackles the difficult issues of racism, bigotry, violence and politics in early 80's Britain and still manages to be compassionate, humourous and hugely entertaining.
Writer: Hanif Kureishi
Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Gordon Warnecke, Saeed Jaffrey, Shirley Ann Field, Roshan Seth Director: Stephen Frears Language: english
Publisher: Channel 4, Year: 1985
Considered lost for many years, Pink Narcissus is an astounding discovery - an unwavering celebration of the male body within a fantasy world of epic indulgence.
This is a breathtaking and outrageous erotic poem focussing on the daydreams of a beautiful boy prostitute who, from the seclusion of his ultra-kitsch apartment, conceives a series of interlinked narcissistic fantasies populated by matadors, dancing boys, slaves and leather-clad bikers.
The film was shrouded in mystery following its 1971 release, its creator credited only as 'Anonymous', before being rediscovered and revealed as the work of artist and photographer James Bidgood. Its cult status endures as does adoration for its star, the gorgeous and enigmatic Bobby Kendall.
With its highly charged hallucinogenic quality, its atmosphere of lush decadence, and its explicit erotic power, Pink Narcissus is a landmark of gay cinema.
Cast: Bobby Kendall Director: James Bidgood Language: english
Publisher: Bfi, Year: 1971
Postcards From London tells the story of beautiful teenager Jim (Harris Dickinson of Beach Rats, The Darkest Minds), who finds himself in Soho where he falls in with The Raconteurs - a gang of unusual high class male escorts who specialize in post-coital conversation. From shy novice to sought after escort and eventually artist's muse, Jim would be the toast of the town if it wasn't for his annoying affliction. He suffers from Stendhal Syndrome, a rare condition which causes him to hallucinate and faint when he encounters real works of art. But when Jim is roped into the world of detecting art forgery, could his condition bring about his downfall?
Cast: Harris Dickinson, Jonah Hauer-King, Alessandro Cimadamore Director: Steve McLean Language: English
Publisher: Saffrom Hill, Year: 2018
The life story of controversial 1960s playwright Joe Orton (Gary Oldman), revealed in flashback after his murder by lover Kenneth Halliwell (Alfred Molina). Born in Leicester, Orton moves to London and enjoys an openly gay relationship with Halliwell in their famous Islington flat. However, when Orton achieves spectacular success with such plays as 'What the Butler Saw' and 'Loot', Halliwell begins to feel alienated and the pair's future looks increasingly uncertain.
Cast: Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, Vanessa Redgrave, Julie Walters, Wallace Shawn Director: Stephen Frears Language: english
Publisher: ITV Studio, Year: 1987
Set in the summer of 1984 – Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is on strike. At the Gay Pride March in London, a group of gay and lesbian activists decides to raise money to support the families of the striking miners. But there is a problem. The Union seems embarrassed to receive their support. But the activists are not deterred. They decide to ignore the Union and go direct to the miners. They identify a mining village in deepest Wales and set off in a mini bus to make their donation in person. And so begins the extraordinary story of two seemingly alien communities who form a surprising and ultimately triumphant partnership.
Cast: Ben Schnetzer, Imelda Staunton, Paddy Considine, Bill Nighy, Andrew Scott Director: Matthew Warchus Language: English
Publisher: 20th Century Fox, Year: 2015
