HomeGay FocusBoys On Film 11 DVD review

Boys On Film 11 DVD review

Peccadillo Pictures series Boys On Film returns for an 11th volume featuring 8 new shorts from across the world representing different aspects of being gay. Taking in shorts from countries such as the USA, Denmark, UK and Australia, the collection continues to bring the voices of gay film-makers across the world to a global stage. In this volume there are a variety of shorts all of very different tones and styles with plenty to sink your teeth into.

Boys Of Film 11 kicks off with We Are Animals, an intriguing 13 minute short set during the 1980s AIDS crisis and telling the story of a closeted man who joins the fight against the government and finds his sexuality tested when he meets a young man about to be castrated. Itā€™s one of the more startlingly bold shorts on the collection and sets the tone for the rest of your viewing.

Across the collection there is a real variety of shorts. For Dorian tells the story of a boy with Downs Syndrome who experiences his sexual awakening from the perspective of his father, The Last Time I Saw Richard is a short thriller that is the prequel to feature length film Boys In The Trees and Burger looks at the mix of sexualities that come together in a burger bar late at night. Alaska Is A Drag is one of the standouts on the collection telling the tale of Leo who struggles to live in a small town due to the attitudes of its residents. When he meets a new guy in town, he finally finds someone who understands him and accepts him for who he is.

Our favourite shorts on Boys On Film 11 are Little Man and Three Summers. Little Man stars West End star Daniel Boys as unlucky in love Elliott who manages to mess up every relationship heā€™s in. The weekend his brother comes to stay, Elliott realises his neighbour is spying on him and things take a turn for the darker. Three Summers is a complete contrast telling the story of a relationship between a teenage boy and a middle-aged unhappily married man. Itā€™s an intriguing exploration of lust and sexuality that takes a surprising twist.

As always with the Boys On Film series this release is a real mixture with not every short hitting the mark. The rather bizarre closer Spooners is an attempt at a whimsical comedy but it didnā€™t really work for us. Telling the story of a man going to buy a bed it all gets a bit too ridiculous and we didnā€™t feel it was as strong as the rest of the shorts here.

If youā€™ve been a fan of the Boys On Film series then youā€™ll know what to expect here. For the most part the quality is high and each of the shorts offers something different. Not all of them are fantastic but when it hits the mark, Boys On Film 11 makes for really good viewing. If you want to see how being gay is represented across the globe then look no further as this collection gives you a fascinating insight.

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

Must Read

Advertisement