›› Debut ‹‹ a short film by Anette Sidor. 2016 | 28 mins | Sweden. an achingly real depiction of the lust for fame and fortune. Dave says: Directed with considerable panache by Anette Sidor, this captivating short film from the pen of Veronica Zacco tells the story of Philip (Hannes Fohlin); a run-of-the-mill bartender who dreams of being the next big time cover model, only to find himself the last in a long line of aspiring models, when he turns up for a casting session run by renowned photographer Chloé (Oldoz Javidi). Determined to achieve his goal, Philip all but gatecrashes the photographic studio, where he chances upon professional model Sebastiaan (Karl-Henrik Franzén). Sensing a sexual chemistry between the two, Chloé breaks into an impromptu photo shoot, with Philip and much to his annoyance taking the support role, rather than being the main star. Only just how far is Philip willing to go to further his career? Beautifully played throughout, this is one of those works where there's a lot going on beneath the surface, with Chloé seemingly having taken the blame for having pushed the limits of the photo shoot beyond mere fashion, only for the audience to realize who the actual culprit is. To that end, Franzén wonderfully conveys the emotions of a model unlucky to have chanced upon a stranger far from as naïve about the business, as what he thought he was. That Fohlin steals the show as a man only too happy to sacrifice love for naked ambition, goes without saying and yet the true star is the narrative itself, having dared to show the dark underbelly of a deeply competitive industry, where every new model is but a threat to seasoned pros, knowing that fresh faces always come to replenish old stock. Played from an overtly gay angle as the two models get down to some sensuous, rather than explicit, man-on-man action, this is but an achingly real depiction of the lust for fame and fortune and of those who are more than willing to go to extreme measures to achieve success, whatever the consequences be on yourself and on a love, forever lost. And in that, lies a lesson to us all. ›› available as part of THE MALE GAZE: THE BOY IS MINE shorts compilation. ›› posted: Tuesday, 5th January, 2021. Gay Visibility - overt.  Nudity - from the waist up.  Overall - file under ... 4 stars.  donations are the lifeblood of Gay Celluloid; every drop helps keep it online - thank you :) Copyright 2021 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #2021006 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹