a short film by John Lochland 2008 | 15 mins | UK ›› Sweat is everyone looking for sex on the gay sauna scene? From the changing rooms to the steam rooms, this sweaty, sexy, if far from seedy short showcases the gay sauna scene through the eyes of Simon; a newbie to the practice and fresh meat to those more than familiar with the routine. Getting eyed up along the corridors, he strikes up a nervous conversation with handsome butterfly tattooed Tim, together with Patrick; a sexually confident seventeen-year-old who as 'Tiger' to his clients, knows the scene literally for what it's worth. Only in an environment in which sexual intimacy is but a booth away, just what does broken hearted Simon hope to find? Indeed does he even know why he's there? In many ways this work reminds me of the Guillem Morales' short Backroom, given both depict an indoor cruising ground, only one in which not everyone present is looking for sex. To that end, David Paisley of Casualty, Holby City and River City credit is every inch the apprehensive newcomer of the piece, even if writer and director John Lochland of Goodboys fame never gets to grips resolving the issue, having carried the story over to his next work. Thankfully Lochland executes this piece beautifully, providing just the right amount of buff male nudity that a film of this kind necessitates, without detracting from the narrative, even if Tom Frederic makes for some lush eye-candy, starring again as Tim in Lochland's follow-up Tears / 2010. Little else need be said, apart that for an alternative take on the sauna scenario, check out Eldar Rapaport’s Steam; a short that opts for a notably differing approach to the claustrophobic atmosphere of a steam room. Gay Visibility - overt.  Nudity - mainly bare-arsed cheek.  Overall - file under ... 3 stars.  available on DVD as part of the Peccadillo Pictures catalogue - 'Boys On Film 5: Candy Boy' release 25.10.2010. starring: David Paisley / Simon, Tom Frederic / Tim and Tom Swash / Patrick aka Tiger. The threesome: Michael Faye, Jay Kamiraz and David Kingston. The sauna goers: Stephano Maccazzola, Terry Finnegan, Philip Clarke, Michael Horkan, Joao Ferreira, Richard Packer and Daniel Foster. Copyright 2010 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #324 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹