With a heatwave arriving in the UK, it’s the perfect time for the temperatures to be raised even further with the release of the next instalment of NQV Media’s ‘The Male Gaze’. This new collection – ‘The Male Gaze: Wandering Hearts’ – collects 6 short films from across the world that focus on lost souls who are questioning their paths in life.
The collection opens with animation ‘Confusion of the Afternoon’ from Taiwanese film-maker Lee Yung-Chieh. At only three minutes in length, the short passes quickly but it tells a cute story about two boys who are playing poker together after class and find that there might be something mutual there that’s beyond friendship. It’s a fleeting glance at young love, but it’s a sweet one.
Things turn a little more serious with “Maghreb’s Hope” from Tunisian film-maker Bassem Ben Brahim. The 24-minute short focuses on four queer individuals from the ‘Big Maghreb’ region including Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. These are all places were being queer is still very much taboo and it’s a fascinating insight into the realities that the four subjects live in. We tend to take our freedoms for granted here in the UK, but Brahim’s film is a reminder that not everyone is so lucky.
‘Assi Doesn’t Live Here’ from Israeli film-makers Rotem Murat and Murat Neta tells the story of gay sailor Assi (Meir Tamam), who returns to his conservative hometown for a one-day visit. Faced with his estranged relatives and a child he’s never met that he abandoned, Assi faces an inner-turmoil and temptation. This short is an exploration of what it’s like when you finally face up to parts of your life that you’ve not dealt with, and the difficulty that comes with that.
French director Franck Hourliac’s ‘Chaud’ is a change of pace that shines a spotlight on two men that hook-up via an app. Despite an initial attraction, things get awkward quickly and threaten to derail things. What transpires is both surprising and romantic, as the two men take a step back from their expectations of sex, and find other ways to bond with one another. This short feels like a tonic in a world where instant gratification has become the norm.
Back to Israel next for ‘Tshuva’ from director Afek Testa Launer, which is one of the more affecting shorts here. Avihu (Eyal Bukobza) is grieving the loss of his brother to suicide when he meets a transgender woman. He becomes mesmerised by her as she reminds him of the brother he lost, and what ensues is a boundary-pushing and at times uncomfortable story. Launer takes a unique look at grief and the way people deal with it, and for Avihu his experience is unexpected and bordering on taboo.
The final film on this release is ‘Sunflowers at Night’ from French director Quentin Delcourt, who also stars. David (Delcourt) returns to his hometown to celebrate the success of his new book and he’s faced with two surprises – finding out his friend is going to become a father and the reappearance of a past love. This short very much forces David to look inward as he tries to navigate the situation he finds himself in. He is forced to take a hard look at himself and his behaviour, as well as the way he interacts with others. It’s an interesting film that spirals into a chaos by the end.
‘The Male Gaze: Wandering Hearts’ is a little bit different from previous releases but it’s an entertaining and engaging watch. The subject matter here is quite weighty at times, and it makes you think about how you look at the world. As always, this collection provides plenty of food for thought, and if you’ve stuck with the series this far then you’ll definitely want to check this instalment out.
Cast: Meir Tamam, Bat-Elle Mashian, Swan Bélémy, Philippe Chatard, Eyal Bukobza, Ben Green, Yael Abecassis, Quentin Delcourt, Christopher Leveaux Directors: Lee Yung-Chieh, Bassem Ben Brahim, Neta Murat, Rotem Murat, Franck Hourliac, Afek Testa Launer, Quentin Delcourt Certificate: 16+ Duration: 106 mins Released by: NQV Media Release date: 25th May 2026
