a short film by Greg Ivan Smith 2010 | 14 mins | US ›› Remission the horror of cancer returning. From writer and director Greg Ivan Smith comes the polar opposite of his heartwarming short The Back Room. Not that you would know this at first, for with cinematographer Todd Verow beautifully capturing the serenity of the lush sun-drenched countryside, Smith lures you in purposely slow with the story of Sam; a middle-aged man anxiously awaiting the results of his latest biopsy. Only with his male lover taking to the stage many a State away and his mobile in dire need of recharging, you just know that the solitude that Sam seeks in a secluded wooden cabin, will find him - not alone. Winner of the Horror Film Award at the 2010 Rhode Island International Film Festival, this work finds Smith playing with the viewer, given from day one you know that something isn't right, courtesy of a mysterious figure that Sam does not see. The result is a short that has Smith leaving bloody clues along his cinematic path, as he gradually builds up to the overused, if still apt "don't go down to the cellar" routine. But as a visual analogy of the fear of cancer returning, here akin to being eaten alive, this makes for a well-executed piece that more than lives up to the dark themed nature of its DVD outing. Enough said. Gay Visibility - covert.  Nudity - strictly from the waist up.  Overall - file under ... 3+ stars.  ›› Available to buy from Amazon.com. available on DVD as part of the Guest House Films catalogue - 'Black Briefs' release: 21.February.2012 / US. starring: Michael Fitzpatrick as Sam and Todd Jennison Parmley as The Figure. official website: www.onetakefilms.net Copyright 2012 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #467 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹