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Soul Mate (Japanese Series)

Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...

Gay Short Films : 106

Homebird (Ireland)
Having left his parents without warning, Conor has returned to his hometown after dropping out of university, meeting up with his father for a tense reunion on the town’s seafront. The film explores the relationship between an emotionally reclusive father struggling to reconnect with his estranged gay son, and a son learning to forgive.

Innocent Boy (USA)
Off a lonely Texas highway, a group of hustlers prey on the desperados who come for sex and drugs. As the boys begin to fall one-by-one, a young trans boys finds himself caught between a cowboys lustful rage, greed, and corruption. Very weird film.

Loving Martin (USA)
A dramatic real case inspiring a short film. Erik is an easy-going, middle-age gay male who has everything. Martin, a young, feisty gay male is trying to find his way in life. They're total opposites whose love holds them together through the rough times. How far is Martin willing to go to test Erik's love and how much is Erik willing to take? An OK-ish film.

The Rev (UK)
A queer comedy about a vicar in the midst of an identity crisis whose imagination runs wild when he's asked to organise a funeral. Like many before him he wonders if his sexuality and extroverted personality are compatible with his religious beliefs, for just one glorious moment indulging his inner disco diva. This one was weird for me honestly.

Keep Off The Grass (UK)
18-year-old amateur footballer Sunny is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality. and as the final game of the season approaches, tensions begin to rise. He and fellow player Josh are attracted to one another, and will have to fight not only for what they want both on and off the pitch.

Hornbeam (UK)
In the darkness of night, two guys meet in a van. Over the next few days, they start forming a great bond of love and friendship and sex. Till one day, one of them confesses that he is actually in an open relationship with another man. You think you know a person, but how well can one really know the other of you only meet at nights inside a van?

Guillermo on the Roof (Spain)
Guillermo deals with his lover's infidelities and indifference by wanting to make a film about it as a catharsis. During the filming, he's sidetracked into helping with a documentary about Syrian refugees. As both projects roll on, we see Guillermo's point of view change about life and love. Samir's bravery of coming out feels so much more important compared to his issues.

Jim (UK)
Inspired by true events. West London, 1982. Gay priest Jim Fitzsimmons reaches a decision: he’s going to spend one night with a rent boy. The night will change Jim’s life forever, but not for the reasons he expects. Simon is killed in brutal sex attack leading the real life priest to start a charity to support hundreds of young male sex workers in the 80s and 90s.

Men for Sale - Life of a Male Escort: UNTOLD
With the number of male escorts seemingly on the rise, Ben Zand meets three men offering very different services, from the boyfriend experience to sensual massages. He also tries out for a top agency. He meets 3 "companions" catering to women and one for gay men. This doc sadly offers nothing new in the plethora of similar documentaries exploring the world of sex workers, both male and female.

Homens Invisíveis (Brazil) [Invisible Men]
A look at the situation of the trans-masculin population in prisons, regarding problems generated by ignorance, transphobia, prejudice and discrimination. This is a documentary that interviews trans people and their stories and experiences with the cops and prison system.

Le roi qui contemplait la mer (France) [A King, Gazing at the Sea]
Paul arrives in a Mediterranean seaside resort. He is enjoying a few moments at the seaside, when a muscular man with a tanned complexion catches his attention. This stranger becomes his obsession, feeding a destabilizing desire. The film was shot very well but was a little abstract in the way it was presented. A mix of realism and fantasy.

 
Le Fan De Base (France) [The Fan]
A very odd short film. A good looking soccer fan from dance decides to spend his vacation in Manchester. Amongst the various people he meets, towards the end, he meets an older tarn person from his village, they remember old days, sexuality, jerk off each other (literally), (and I have to admit it was a hot scene) and just generally fluff around. I don't understand what's the point.

Senior Love Me? (Thailand)
The story of Bam who happens to work at the same cafe as the senior he secretly likes. For some reason, both of them had to simulate being a lovers. Until causing a feeling that is difficult to explain. The romance lacks depth and in the almost 35-40 min run time, it is all setup inside a cafe, preventing us from connecting with the leads. The characters break the 4th wall plenty of times which after a while gets annoying.

Senior Love Me?: Season 2 (Thailand)
Continuing with the story, the friends/flirts are doing well. Enter an old friend of the new trainee comes into picture. Seeing him close with the man he likes poses a problem with the senior, The new boy teases the senior that he will take our lead away, but the love is here to stay. This 2 part, almost 25 minute sequel, just continues to play along with the angle to flirting love between two protagonists with a potential third wheel.

Swingin' (Taiwan)
When sixth-grade boy Qiu is bullied in school for having gay dads, he takes action to prove to the world that, unlike his parents, he is straight and manly. It’s no joke! Meanwhile, his stepfather HU Jia-How, a flamboyant Jazz trumpet player, must confront his own nightmares of childhood bullying before he can provide his son a feeling of security. A sweet, nice film about family, difference, acceptance - especially as self acceptance and happiness.

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