Besides Milk and Outrage, are there any gay films that can accurately be described as “met with anticipation”? You know, aside from Transporter? Not really. But allow us one exception: Shank, from director Simon Pearce. (He’s 21.) The quick gist: What to do when you’re a gang member coming to terms with being gay … and you’re falling in love with another, even more violent member of your gang. Set in Britain, Shank enjoyed its U.S. premiere this weekend at the Miami & Ft. Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. It’s got all the proper elements for a decent film — love, sex, violence — which are also the right elements for a campy piece of garbage. You decide.
A behind the scenes look at the film:
dgz
oh, those brits. preppiest gangstas i’ve ever seen. and the creators thought this looked like philly!? Lord help bristol gang members if they ever visit philthydelphia!
movie looks okay, though.
strumpetwindsock
Haven’t seen it, but for a British gay gangster movie it would be hard to top Donald Cammell’s “Performance”.
mb00
@dgz: That’s so funny. I was thinking the same thing. I’m sure that there’s some pretty hardcore gangsters in Britain, but hardcore doesn’t exactly come to mind when you think of Brit gangsters.
It’s like in one of the Tales of the City Books, Mouse goes to England to find Mona and he finds a teen gay boy who makes mention of how British Leather Men aren’t as convincing as American ones.
Ok, I’ve gone on & on…sorry.
Helga Von Ornstein
Back in 2005 Bow Wow was set to star in director John Singleton’s movie titled BOYS, about a young street thug who’s business got out on the street. I don’t know what happened to it but since his rap career has clearly been flushed down the toilet and he (Bow Wow) sounding like he does not need to use toilet paper in every interview these days of late I wish it would make it to the screen. With or without him. Check out the link at the bottom.
I thought the movie Baby Boy with Tyrese (a damn good movie that deserved more recognition than it got) was the substitute since it came out around the same time but with a different plot. Either was it is time for one given the popularity of gay thug porn.
http://www.rapworlds.com/forums/printthread.php?threadid=46292
John Santos
@mb00:
hardcore doesn’t exactly come to mind when you think of Brit gangsters
Introducing the Kray brothers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kray_twins
Ronnie Kray was even queer. However, like many old British poofs, he married a woman in his later years.
ousslander
I’d watch it. There was a pretty good movie made about the Krays, starrin the brothers from Spandau Ballet. Also check out Burnt Money.
strumpetwindsock
@John Santos:
Actually several of the characters in Performance were based on the Krays (they visited the set, and there was talk of using them as technical advisors).
And at least one of the actors did have gang connections.
And yeah, everyone in the movie is generally soft-spoken and polite, even when they are busting up shops, and assaulting and murdering people.
http://www.phinnweb.org/roeg/films/performance/articles/neon.html
mb00
@John Santos: I’m aware of the Kray’s. And I certainly didn’t mean to say that British gangsters aren’t as tough. I guess, because of the politeness and generally kind demeanor, you would never think of them as being rough & tough and ready to rumble. Although I have seen them go crazy for their sports teams.
But after I watched this trailer, the two twink actors just didn’t say “I’m a tough gangster bitch”, lol, I suppose that’s what I meant to point out.
TANK
An animal’s an animal no matter where it’s caged.
TANK
@TANK:
And this movie is going to…not be seen by me. LOL!
Alec
@TANK: The first one of these that I learned my lesson from was 2002’s “The MO of MI” or “The Modus Operandi of Male Intimacy,” which was at least a clever title.
There weren’t even enough shots of skin to justify that one. I rented it from new releases when I was 21 and I’m still bitter about it. Although at least some of the videos are honest about what their audience is looking for and will provide a special feature consisting entirely of half-nude scenes.
sal
totally support this effort,today amateur tomorrow maybe big league
chris
SHANK’s a great film – gone on to win 4 international awards at festivals. It’s been called the most successful indie gay movie out of the uk in the last decade. 18 months after it’s premiere in Miami (where it won an award) it’s still on the festival circuit!
I think it’s a misnomer to call them gangstas – Britain isn’t like the US – people don’t carry guns or glorify the violence (as in big movies). These kids in the movie are in a gang – big difference from being a gangsta!
I recommend this film unequivocally. It’s from the school of realism and is based on true stories reported in the press over here.
Take a look – it’s a couple of bucks on iTunes!
wannabegay2
a really good movie, actually