Collection of five short films set mostly in the darkness of the night. They delve into heart-pumping escapades varying from the intensely erotic to the ultra-violent to the warm-inside feels. The night has never looked so inviting. Of the 5 films here, I had already seen 2 before and reviewed.
Spiral (Sweden)
Two hours before Karim and Dan are going on a trip to Argentina, Dan leaves their apartment and disappears without any trace. Karim, suspecting that Dan has been gone too long, must dive into the underbelly of nightlife in Malmö in order to find Dan.This film is about obsession, sadism and the weird end of the male gaze. Very odd and weird film.
Floating Melon (China)
Two gay men make passionate love in a flat, aided by drugs. After waking up host finds the other guy presumably dead. The left-alive guy turns to two female friends for help, and a few further events take place, leaving us at the finale with a what-the-fuck? moment of a not-quite-complete-visual of which to make sense. Decent start but the idea wasn't very clear.
Poof (UK)
Aaron, a young farm lad meets older man Mike and they get together after sending some time with each other. This doesn't please his dad at all. Eventually, he abandons Mike because he cannot tell his dad that he is, after all – a poof. This sort of tragedy is acted in any number of towns all over the world, never mind Britain, and makes the film worth viewing for that.
Passée l'aube (Belgium/Poland) [After Dawn]
A Polish man has not completely come to terms with his sexuality. So when his fling from Brussels shows up at his door unannounced, he is terrified that his gayness will be discovered. The guy freaks out and asks the friend to leave. Better sense prevails and at night a night of passion follows which soon turns dangerous. Great performances here.
Night of Love (Israel)
This has been reviewed before. When Yonathan gets dumped by his boyfriend, he needs to find a place to stay for the night and viola, he finds an orgy in progress. There he catches the attention of Saïd, an older Christian, Palestinian, gay man. On his way back on the train, Yonathan catches the gaze of a very dignified, old lady opposite him. His gaze is severe, masculine and very military. She exudes wisdom and understanding. Eventually they both break into a smile, looking at each other. This is a film about kindness, how difference can surmount appearances if people will only meet each other as they are.
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