'I'm Not Gay' has its feet firmly planted in 2021. It's from here that new stories, social experiments, and interviews for the project are taking place. While the film will be a 90 min feature, there are moments where we'll dive into not-so-fictitious worlds to explore the lives of some unique young men, like 11 year old Zac, and 23 year old Rami. Each story - vividly etched from personal experience - has been enriched by the discussions, revelations, films, and books of many others.
The five short stories include: The Best of Friends, Simple Creatures, Boys in Love, Who Wants Margaritas?, and Boundaries.
'Tradition is challenged in this touching story known all too well by gay men the world over.'
The Best of Friends takes place the day before a smitten heterosexual couple (Justin Miltenyi and Natalie Ojeda) are due to be married. As a celebratory lunch between the two families begins to settle, stories from Grandad's (Dirk Nagel) past begin to surface. In the midst of what might best be described as 'normality', 11 year old Zac (Oliver Smith) and Taylor (Jasper Molyneux) exchange an unspoken affection for one another. Do we allow children to be anything other than what we want them to be? Tradition is challenged in this touching story known all too well by gay men the world over.
'The most honest conversation you'll watch all year.'
Simple Creatures invites you into a candid conversation among friends. Chris (Roel Fiala) is having trouble with his boyfriend, but has difficulty raising his concerns with his friends. Once the topic is finally broached, however, it seems like a mountain of stereotypes stand between them. This perfectly simple interaction among friends reveals the depth of misunderstanding that often prevents us from seeing others as they really are. It's the most honest conversation you'll watch all year.
'The two bond over a simple fact of life: boys will always be boys.'
Boys in Love explores the frustration of dating boys in a world of men. 28 year old Daniel (Jackie Tran) is desperate to find a meaningful connection, but no matter how hard he tries, he just can't seem to click with that special someone. Daniel's discontent boils over into rage after a promising two year relationship comes to an all too typical end, leading to an apparent evacuation of his entire personality. Defeated and wandering, Daniel soon finds himself cheekily ensnared by a charming older man, Ted (Michael Kingdom). The two bond over a simple fact of life: boys will always be boys.
'This poignant and bright tale rests carefully between conservative and progressive views on what it means to be different.'
Who Wants Margaritas? invites you to Mardi Gras 2020 right here in Sydney. 23 year old Rami (Cédric Foley) and his friend, Luke (Brendan Palmer) arrive at a relatively low key house party to celebrate the big day. Luke is immediately distracted by an online yet-to-be-mutual love interest, Rachael (Dilroop Khangura). Rami soon finds himself swept up in heated debate as his 'gay credentials' come under fire. This poignant and bright tale rests carefully between conservative and progressive views on what it means to be different.
'... why do they approach the app so differently?'
Boundaries follows the story of 17 year olds Noah (Jerome Varlet-Green) and Seb (Nelson Blattman) as they navigate the transactional world of hook up (or is it dating?) apps in a world less concerned with who you like than who likes you. 27 year old mechanic Ben (Michael Delmar) soon crosses paths with the impressionable Noah, where the two find themselves in a rite of passage known to many gay men - the older mentor turned sexual assailant. But with only 10 years between the two young men, why do they approach the app so differently?
'I'm Not Gay' will premiere via private screening this year at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter. Don't forget to save the date: Saturday June 19th, 6:30pm. I can't wait to share it with you!
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'I'm Not Gay' will be a 90 min feature film that explores sexuality and the male identity
Short stories will help the audience to better understand the issues discussed therein
The film will premiere on Saturday June 19th 6:30pm at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter
