The sumptuously atmospheric Upper East Side gay drama, Those People opens for a one-week run this weekend at the Cinema Village in New York City and the Arena Cinema Hollywood in Los Angeles.
First time writer-director Joey Kuhn brings to the screen this semi-autobiographical tale of a pining eroticized friendship between his alter-ego Charlie (distractingly handsome Jonathan Gordon) and the spoiled rich kid son of real-life swindler Bernie Madoff (melodramatic, dark and handsome Sebastian, played by Jason Ralph — star of the SyFy Network series The Magicians). Charlie’s unrequited desire for Sebastian is counter-balanced by his budding romance with concert pianist Tim (Haaz Sleiman).
The film’s swank setting evokes such classic British gay screen dramas as Another Country and Brideshead Revisited (the borrowing of the lead character names is surely a reference to Waugh’s Charles and Sebastian and it is no small pleasure to have Charlie actually be gay).
With the combined acting chops of co-stars Gordon, Ralph and Sleiman the film has taken home a slew of awards including best film prizes from Outfest and Newfest.
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Look for the DVD/VOD release in June (and a May 13th early exclusive VOD window via the increasingly gay-friendly folks at Vimeo On Demand). But get out to see it on the big screen if you can starting this Friday, May 6th. Kuhn and cast will be doing several post-screening Q&As for the New York screenings before he flies to Los Angeles for the film’s special Sunday, May 8th, 7:20pm screening which will include Kuhn in conversation with actor James Franco who is apparently a fan of the film.
For tickets and more info: Cinema Village in New York City; Arena Cinema Hollywood in Los Angeles.
strix1
It looks like a good story, but for some reason I can’t help feel that I have seen almost every possible plot of a GTM there can be…so will it really be that different? And James Franco is really that interested? Why?
Billy Budd
It looks sumptuous.