| This February Riverside Studios in Hammersmith is presenting a week of international gay cinema featuring an exciting mix of new releases and a specially selected programme from the past five decades. Following on from the highly successful Deep Desires & Broken Dreams season in 2010 this second season once again features the premiere of a new British film. | |
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Seeing Heaven (2010) is an intensely atmospheric psychological thriller about a young male prostitute haunted by
visions of his long-gone twin brother who he believes was lured into the potentially dangerous
world of porn. It's the first dramatic feature from London director Ian Powell and this captivating and sexy thriller has been described
as a 21st century Dorian Gray.
Ian Powell and the cast will be at a Q&A session after the screening. |
 Alexander Bracq in Seeing Heaven |
| Other highlights include a screening of Howl (2010) which explores the life and work of American gay poet Allen Ginsberg, and particularly on the obscenity trial he faced following the publication of his poem 'Howl'. This screening will be followed by a Q&A with actor Bob Balaban who plays the conservative judge in the trial plus a complimentary beer or wine from the Riverside Bar. | |
| Amongst the other highlights is a showing of Ventura Pons acclaimed film based on the David Leavitt novel The Page Turner Food Of Love (2002). This seductive film follows the relationship between Richard, an acclaimed concert pianist, and Paul, his eighteen-year-old page turner. |
Juliet Stevenson and Paul Rhys in Food Of Love |
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Their burgeoning affair suffers numerous complications, not least the interference of Paul's neurotic mother played
by Juliet Stevenson who will be at a Q&A session following the screening.
Three British films from the era when homosexuality was a criminal offence are also featured. The classic A Taste Of Honey (1961) which made a star of Rita Tushingham and won four BAFTA awards is followed by the 1964 drama The Leather Boys which also stars as Tushingham as an immature teenager who marries her biker boyfriend. The doomed marriage is put under even more pressure by the biker's gay best friend. Released in 2008, Nick Moran's Telstar tells the story of iconic 60s gay pop producer Joe Meek and features an outstanding central performance from Con O'Neill and a brilliant ensemble cast including James Corden and Pam Ferris. |
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Classic 70s tracks from the The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and are weaved into an energetic and
enjoyable coming-of-age tale from Quebec C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005). This film is a real crowd-pleaser and has has won over 50 awards at festivals worldwide. |
Marc-André Grondin in C.R.A.Z.Y. |
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The musical theme is also reflected in Love Songs (2007) an enchanting film
from France which is a rare treat and definitely not to be missed. During the week-long season a total of 18 films are being screened and this year a whole season pass is available. Deep Desires & Broken Dreams is at Riverside Studios from Thursday 3rd until Wednesday 9th February. You can get full information, watch trailers and book online for all screenings at RiversideStudios.co.uk |