›› Tidal Time - L'Ora di Porto ‹‹ a short film by Dario Di Viesto. 2018 | 22 mins | Italy. a heartfelt plea for sexual acceptance and tolerance. Dave says: Dedicated to Giorgio and Tony of Giarre, and Father Marco Bisceglia, founder of ARCIGAY, one of the first Catholic activists to advocate the cause of homosexuals, this deeply personal short film from co-writer and director Dario Di Viesto opens with such a shockingly dramatic scene that many a filmmaker would have reserved it for the ending. Only it's there for a reason, as this emotional work explores the deeply religious convictions of a man repulsed by his son's homosexuality, namely the very son that he saved from drowning ten years ago that resulted in this fisherman resolving to never go in the sea again, having given up his livelihood to work in a fish processing factory instead. That adult son is Flavio (Antonio De Franco) and when his father Capudemazza (Fabrizio Ferracane) catches sight of him on a deserted beach in the arms of his lover Lorenzo (Vincenzo Marco Desario), it's more than this devout Catholic can take, beating his son violently upon his return home, along the way delivering a sermon on how an octopus can change its colour to fool a fisherman, only he cannot be so easily deceived when it comes to his son's sexuality. Yet into the narrative mix, Flavio has a card up his sleeve that he's not shy to play, striking at his father's heartstrings with all the resonance of the truth finally being told. Beautifully scored throughout with choral music mixing with voice-over styled readings from the Book of Psalms, this well-played short shocks you with the degree of brutality dealt out in the name of religion, given Capudemazza does not think twice about physically assaulting his son, imprisoning him thereafter, to even threatening Lorenzo with murder should he dare to see Flavio again. Yet there's light at the end of the tunnel. For in a work that is but a heartfelt plea for sexual acceptance and tolerance from those who are all too keen to read the word of God, only to show none of his love and compassion in return, this short plays into the spirit world and of a mother's unconditional love for her son. Above all however, it underlines the fact that when faced with such ingrained homophobia, many seemingly have no other option but to say goodbye to their life that was, in order to say hello to love. Achingly poignant and at times clearly uncomfortable viewing, but brilliantly executed nonetheless. Need more be said? ›› available as part of THE ITALIAN BOYS shorts compilation. ›› posted: Thursday, 11th March, 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 #2021029 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹